1 April, 2009
Queensland has appointed an ambassador chef to showcase the fantastic food that is produced across the state, as part of the Q150 celebrations.
Restaurant Two chef David Pugh was announced as the Queensland Chef this morning by Tim Mulherin, Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland at a celebratory event at Simon George and Sons at the Brisbane Markets, Rocklea.
David's role in Q150, Queensland's sesquicentenary celebrations, will be to help promote the state's reputation for excellence in food production for the next two years.
Minister Mulherin said David was a high-profile and well-respected chef noted for his celebration and promotion of Queensland produce.
"This appointment is a unique opportunity for David to showcase the quality and diversity of Queensland produce during his time as Queensland Chef," the Minister said.
"He will feature as a guest presenter at events throughout the year, with his maiden appearance at Beef Australia 2009 in Rockhampton in May.
"The food service sector, in particular fellow chefs, will be a key target audience for promotional activities both in Queensland and interstate".
Among his many accolades, David was last year named the Courier Mail's Queensland Chef of the Year and was awarded two stars by Gourmet Traveller this year.
David has also stepped out of the kitchen to lend support to charities like the Starlight Foundation, Camp Quality and Red Kite at the Royal Children's Hospital.
Last year, David travelled to southern Sri Lanka as a Queensland representative and guest of the Dilmah Foundation, working and teaching cooking in small villages, orphanages and tea plantations.
David grew up in Auckland and his love of cooking emerged at an early age when he would treat his parents to Sunday breakfast.
"When I was about seven I used to do breakfast in bed for Mum and Dad. I would work it all out, trying to get the timing right so that the bacon was finished just as the toast had popped up and the tea was brewed," David said.
"It became a challenge - how to make the perfect egg."
As the Queensland Chef, David said he was confident his experience with fresh Queensland produce would provide the ideal platform for 'serving' the state.
"Having travelled extensively and worked both overseas and in Australia, I draw inspiration from each and every encounter," he said.
"I hope to combine my knowledge and passion for food with some of the world's best fresh produce and meats from right here in Queensland, to promote our premium products to a wider audience."
The Queensland Chef was selected by an independent panel made up of seven respected and knowledgeable members of Queensland's food industry.
Panel members included Fiona Donnelly (Courier Mail), Babak Hadi (Black Pearl Epicure), John MacDonald (Palatable Partners), Elaine Millar (Elaine Millar & Associates), Terry Nolan (Nolan Meats), Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi (Ballandean Estate Wines) and James Visser (Restaurant and Catering Queensland).
David will be paid for appearances and travel.
For further information about the Queensland Chef call (07) 3239 3254, email kaye.nunan@dpi.qld.gov.au or visit the website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
For further information on the festival, please phone Maree Reason-Cain on (07) 3278 1803; mobile 0438 730 752; email:maree@c4marketing.com.au
