SPECIAL GUEST CHEFS 2011

This year the Mundaring Truffle Festival featured renowned Western Australian, national and international chefs and food personalities, including:

Alain Fabregues

Creator of the Mundaring Truffle Festival idea. The quintessential French master who now calls Australia home received two knighthoods for his services to French Culture through cuisine; in 1994 from President Mitterrand and in 2003 from President Chirac, and is an MOF. His restaurant, The Loose Box, has twice been awarded the title of Best Restaurant in Australia. He was also named Chef of the Year for four consecutive years. Alain, a natural chef, started cooking as a child of six, helping his grandmother make patés. His family has a tradition of cooking which dates back to Napoleonic days - his great-great grandmother cooked for Napoleon's army. Alain has a small trufferie on his farm in the countryside of Perth. He is passionate about fresh food, and truffles. A Michelin awarded chef, and author of Degustation.

Stephanie Alexander   Stephanie Alexander is one of Australia’s most loved cooking personalities. However, she began her early career training to become a librarian. A chance journey to home of the Truffle – France began a life long love affair with the country. The French values and respect for food she still finds renewing and reassuring and inspired her tenth book, Cooking & Travelling in South-West France in March 2002. It is a personal tribute to the south-west of France – a region that will forever be a special place for her. In 2004 she established the not-for-profit Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation to raise funds to expand the model into other schools  throughout the primary school system. In 2007, the Australian Government agreed to support 190 additional projects around Australia by 2012. For most recent information please visit www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au.

Emmanuel Mollois The youngest of eight children, Emmanuel Mollois was born in France's Loire Valley. From an early age he was passionate about eating, and his mother's semolina cake is a fond memory. At 15 years his father sent him on holidays to his uncle (a food caterer), where Emmanuel's passion for eating became a passion for cooking.  After travelling the world he soon crossed the Nullarbor to try the Perth lifestyle - and he's never looked back. As head pastry chef at the Loose Box in Mundaring he has won numerous awards. In 2000 he created the award-winning Le Paris Brest Patisserie Francaise in Perth's hills before deciding to move closer to the ocean. Since 2003 he has owned the Choux Cafe in Swanbourne which was recently voted 'best in the west' by the Sunday Times. He is also  an author and TV presenter on Poh’s Kitchen.

Philippe Mouchel French-born Philippe has been wowing Melburnians for years with his technical virtuosity and innate talent for balancing flavours at restaurants like Paul Bocuse and The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel. He’s been cooking since he was 16 and still retains an enthusiasm with a remarkable amount of spring in his step. “Cooking is my passion and pleasing diners brings me great pleasure”, he says. This Michelin Star chef and acclaimed Melbourne restaurateur, has just opened PM24 and published his new book.

Chef Wan   Colourful, exotic, hot and spicy Tourism Malaysia’s Food Ambassador, Datuk Chef Wan, will be at the Festival to excite you with the unique flavours of Malaysian cuisine. His energetic character and love of food is infectious and he has delighted millions of people around the world demonstrating his cooking prowess. Meet him in person at The Malaysian Experience marquee.