Meet our Presenters Barry Vera

Barry Vera

British born Barry Vra is currently the Executive Chef at the acclaimed Middle Brighton Baths Restaurant & Caf in Melbourne. Previously he spent 3 years at The Mansion Hotel, Werribee. He was in charge of every aspect of food at the hotel and the acclaimed Josephs restaurant, where he took great delight in utilizing the best Victorian produce. His hand stretched further to influence menus across the entire hotel, from in-room dining to coordinating luscious lunches for the polo crowd during the season.

Barry has a classical training in the European tradition, and was heavily influenced by his Italian background and the best cook his mum.

He has an enviable pedigree in the industry, having held the position of Executive Chef at The Waldorf, Head chef at MPW, Les Saveurs under Marco Pierre White and Terence Conrans Cantina Del Ponte and also working in Quaglinos & Le Pont de la Tour. He went on to become Executive Chef at the internationally renowned Blues restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa.

Barrys quest for new challenges and excitement has lead him from the Michelin star kitchens of Europe via safari in Africa to bring his unique fresh style to Australia.

He has a charming manner and is committed to sharing his love of food and the secrets of professional cooking.

In the words of one Australian restaurant critic Vra is deftly setting the direction Australian food should be taking. This has been recognized by the award of a Chefs Hat in the 2003 Good Food Guide, and by winning the 2003 Tourism Victoria award for Best Deluxe hotel.

Barry released his first book titled The Home Cook last November through Hardie Grant Publishers.

For Barry, cooking at home is about enjoyment & sharing. The Home Cook is a personal selection of Barrys favourite recipes for no fuss food that is well presented with maximum flavour. He uses easy to find ingredients, and his uncomplicated explanations mean that you spend less time at the stove and more at the table. Here is food for all occasions, from breakfast to picnics & parties, and ideas to stave off the midweek cooking blues. Barry also has a second book in the pipeline

Barry lives in Melbourne (Australia) with his wife Wendy and their 3 year old son Jack.