Vivid Fire Kitchen

Chris "Chops" Taylor is a whirlwind of humanity, plain and simple. He’s half man, half epic guitar solo. Food flows through his veins, with a career as Masterchef home economist behind him. Chris is now a teacher, author of Fire Feasts and Backyard Baking, and audacious show off.

Shalamar Lane is the talented pitmaster behind cult favourite My Father’s Barbeque in Carson, California. Barbecue runs deep in her veins, having grown up as the daughter of pitmasters from Alabama and Texas. Despite initially pursuing a different career path, her love for barbecue eventually led her to establish My Father’s Barbeque. Here, she fuses the barbecue traditions of the South with her own unique approach to smoking meats.

Celebrated chef and award-winning cookbook author Christine Manfield is a leading Australian culinary ambassador. She is inspired by Australia’s melting pot of global flavours and native ingredients. Beyond the kitchen, she is a keen advocate for keeping it local and supporting community, and she hosts culinary journeys to regional Australia for sustainable and immersive experiences highlighting First Nations culture.

Mindy Woods is a chef, restaurateur and proud Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia-bul clan. A finalist on MasterChef Australia in 2012, she now owns and runs Karkalla in Byron Bay, where she showcases local, seasonal produce and native ingredients. Mindy’s work extends beyond the kitchen, as she strives to promote First Nations representation in hospitality and agriculture, making her a true ambassador for her community and culture.

Lennox is fascinated by fire. He is the chef and owner of Firedoor in Sydney, Australia’s only fully wood-fuelled restaurant, which offers a dining experience like no other in town. He also owns Surry Hills wine bar Gildas, is the author of Finding Fire, and has featured on Netflix series Chef's Table and Ugly Delicious.

Jess is an Australian chef living in Texas. A meat expert and live fire cook, as well as the host of TV shows BBQuest and Aussie Barbecue Heroes. She’s the founder of both Hardcore Carnivore, a brand of meat seasonings and rubs, and the Australasian Barbecue Alliance.

With over 30 years of experience, John McFadden is a distinguished figure in the Australian culinary scene and the winner of back-to-back World Seafood Championship titles in 2022 and 2023. As a mentor, judge and culinary innovator, John is a highly-motivated chef whose attention to detail is well-known industry-wide.

Oscar Solomon, the dynamic Group Development Chef for The Apollo Group, plays a pivotal role in the culinary direction of the Apollo’s celebrated venues. With a passion for diversity and continuous learning, Oscar integrates native Australian foods and innovative techniques into his menus. His approach to cuisine is not about mastering one style, but about delicious, well-made food that resonates with a broad audience.