Shannon Bennett
Celebrated chef and restaurateur
Profile
At the forefront of Australia’s culinary scene, Shannon Bennett began travelling from his school (Penleigh Essendon Grammar school, Victoria) to the girls’ school where he could study home economics. Together with his fellow classmate Curtis Stone, Shannon recognised his passion for cooking, cemented by trips to Europe where his Uncle Tom introduced him to the sophisticated world of restaurants.
Previous experience
Before moving to Europe and working for some of the world’s great chefs including Albert Roux, John Burton-Race, Marco Pierre White and Alain Ducasse, Shannon commenced his training at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt under the astute tutelage of Roger Lienhard. Following his European adventures, he returned to his hometown of Melbourne in 2000 and at just 24 years of age opened his first restaurant Vue de monde in Carlton. Shannon was quickly noticed for his edgy approach combined with an obsession for classical cuisine and a cult following was established amongst Melbourne’s diners. In 2003 Australian Gourmet Traveller awarded Shannon their inaugural ‘Best New Talent’ title.
In 2005, Shannon relocated the restaurant to the historic Normanby Chambers in Melbourne’s CBD. Later Café Vue and Bistro Vue followed extending the offering to more casual options. Two further Café Vues opened in 2009 while Café Vue at Melbourne International Airport opened in 2010 with another express option launching soon afterwards.
Achievements
Shannon was invited to be the first Australian member of the associations Jeunes Restaurateurs D’Europe and Les Grandes Tables Du Monde. In 2007 Shannon was a guest chef at New York’s Star Chefs Congress, cementing his position on the global culinary scene.
Vue de monde enjoyed six very successful years at its Normanby Chambers location and during this time scored an unprecedented 19/20 in The Age Good Food Guide and was awarded Restaurant of the Year on multiple occasions. Despite this success (or because of it!) Shannon decided it was time to take Vue de monde to even greater heights and so to the top floor of Melbourne’s iconic Rialto. Echoing the successful transition to this unique location Vue de monde was once again awarded the coveted title of Restaurant of the Year by The Age Good Food Guide 2013.
In 2014 he redeveloped the Burnham Beeches property at the foothills of the Dandenongs with business partner Adam Garrisson to open the Burnham Bakery & Piggery Café. The same year he opened the Vietnamese/French-twist food establishment, Jardin Tan in Melbourne’s acclaimed Royal Botanic Gardens.
Shannon’s philosophy is to provide a dining experience that is theatrical and cannot be replicated at home. He’s an accomplished author of several food inspired books and a brand ambassador for Miele, Audi and Nespresso. You’ll also find him regularly appearing as a mentor on Australian Masterchef.
