Matthew McKenzie

Matthew McKenzie
Outback Matty on the Gold Coast, Queensland, January 2010
Born	11 November 1986 (1986-11-11) (age 25) Maffra, Victoria, Australia
Occupation	Head Chef
Website
matthewmckenzie.com.au

Matthew McKenzie (born 11 November 1986(1986-11-11) in Maffra, Victoria, Australia) is an Australian celebrity chef and public personality who appeared on Jamie Oliver's television show Jamie's Kitchen Australia in 2007 on Network Ten.^[1]

Early life

Growing up in regional Victoria, Matty’s father’s alcoholism and the absence of his mother who was suffering a mental illness took its toll. At just age 15, he had a criminal record and was caught up in the wrong crowd.

Matty, age 20, was able to turn his life around and earn his reputation as a chef. In 2007, Matty was selected into the Fifteen Melbourne program, a rehabilitation program for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth, founded by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Hitching to Melbourne, he slept on the streets for a week with nothing but a strong desire to succeed. A turning point in his life was when he was selected into the final 25 students.^[2]

Education and Career

Matthew completed his training at Box Hill Institute of TAFE and then qualified at Sofitel Culinarey Academy. Matthew has catered for high profiled clients including Australian Governor General Ms Quentin Bryce and Queensland State Premier Anna Bligh. McKenzie has cooked for Aussie actress Madeleine West, Hamish and Andy, first winter Olympic gold medalist Steven Bradbury and pop singing sensation Dannii Minogue^[3]

Matthew's career started with celebrity chef Tobie Puttock from Fifteen Melbourne. He then went onto work for renowned chef and entrepreneur Shannon Bennett from the Melbourne restaurant Vue de Monde.

Matthew was appointed Head Chef at the famous historical Old Government House Queensland which saw him catering for high profile clients including the Australian Governor General Ms Quentin Bryce and Queensland State Premier Anna Bligh. Matthew is currently employed as a private chef and hotel ambassador and works in the private fine dining restaurant Prive 249 of Brisbane's finest 5 star Sofitel Brisbane^[4]

References

1. ^ Herald Sun: Streets ahead, 8 April 2008.
2. ^ The Morning Bulletin :Celebrity Chef Serves up Sound Advice for Aspiring
3. ^ Star now : Outback Matty
4. ^ Gold Coast :news

External links

• Matthew McKenzie Official Website

Persondata
Name	McKenzie, Matthew
Alternative names	Matty, Outback
Short description
Date of birth	11 November 1986
Place of birth	Maffra, Victoria, Australia
Date of death
Place of death