Speaker Profile

Greg Malouf

Chef and Author

Greg Malouf has inspired a generation of young chefs and transformed the Melbourne restaurant scene with his passion and understanding for the flavours of Lebanon, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Persia and Egypt. His dishes capture the essence of the Middle East but are presented with contemporary flair.

Born in Melbourne of Lebanese parents, Greg served his apprenticeship in some of the city’s finest restaurants, including Mietta’s and Fanny’s. He worked in France, Italy, Austria and Hong Kong before returning to Australia determined to revisit the food of his childhood and to take Lebanese food out of kebab shops and into top restaurants. His reputation for innovative contemporary Middle Eastern food was cemented at O’Connell’s restaurant in South Melbourne during the 1990s.

In 2001, he took the helm in the kitchen at the exotic MoMo restaurant in the heart of the city. Under his leadership, the restaurant has won awards and great respect from both critics and the dining-out public.

Greg travels widely for master classes and guest-chef appearances. With his ex-wife, Lucy, Greg has written two acclaimed cookbooks — Arabesque and Moorish. They are working on a third book about the regional food of Lebanon and Syria. Greg has also been a consultant to the Auckland, New Zealand, restaurant Soul and, more recently, to the Hong Kong restaurant Olive, which opened in October.

“I’ve always wanted to cook food which for me captures the essence of the Middle East and expresses it in the best Western tradition,” he says.