About Eat Your Heart Out
"Gruetzi und en guete" is what we Swiss Chefs say to our guests. It means hello and enjoy your meal.
Now, to introduce myself, I was born on the 30 April 1961 in Switzerland and shortly afterwards migrated with my parents to Australia. I lived mainly around Elwood until the age of six, when my parents decided to return to Switzerland. Back in my birth country I completed all my schooling, including a Chef apprenticeship. With my 5 years post apprentice experience and the compulsory Swiss Army service under my belt, I felt ready to start a family. Brigitte and I married in 1985 and enjoyed our honeymoon in Melbourne, hence, we called this City home.
Next to spending a lot of time with my growing family, I worked in several establishments in Melbourne and surroundings, always appreciating the challenges. Just to name some of the places I worked in: The French Bistro Tolarno under Leon Massoni, the Rutherglen Holiday Resort in Tasmania and Fossiker's Restaurant and Grand Hotel in Warrandyte. I also worked at star Hotels in the likes of the Radisson President Hotel in Queens Road and the Crown Casino.
My urge to pass on my experience led me to take on a position of Chef Instructor at NMIT (Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE). I taught mature aged students, apprentices, students with special needs and VCE students. I also enjoyed the thrills of working with the rehabilating volunteers of Odyssey House. The subjects I taught ranged from basic cookery classes to completely adapted tasks asked for by the Industries. The course that I took a lot of pride in is the Campsite Cookery Course for the Adventure Tourism Students. I enjoyed the need for improvisation and I excelled.
During the 8 years at TAFE I made time to take on other challenges, one being abseil window cleaning, and another challenge was Wild Iris Productions asking me to cater for thier short film "BARE". That is how I started falling in love with the attitude of the people involved in this industry.
I grew tired of the routine of TAFE and decided, together with Brigitte and our now 18-year-old daughter Pierrin and Sascha our 14-year-old son, to return to Switzerland for a 6 months period. This gave us the chance to catch up with old friends and habits. The children could experience the culture , schooling, as well as travel. However, this trip cleared all doubts, as to where we call home.
After adapting back to the Australian way of life, I looked for work in the film industry and luckily met Jane Curtis from "Eat Your Heart Out Film Catering". Within a few days I new this is the job I have been looking for. Jane and I made a great team and hence we decided to become partners. The outcome of that initial decision is, that Jane now runs Jerry's Milk Bar in Elwood and I am running the catering truck. I endeavour to continue the fantastic service Jane provided on set. I'd also like to try to improve the overall standard of film caterers. By working together with my wife as all-rounder, I can guarantee food will be served to the highest standards possible. Having spent a few months with Jane and learnt her way of operation, I know I am ready for the task.
To conclude, I am looking forward to a fun filled, cooperative professional relationship with all the Crews and Cast EAT YOUR HEART OUT will cater for.