Grant and Beth have known each other for over 13 years, having first worked together at the RACV City Club in Melbourne.

Beth shone as an apprentice chef. Under the tutelage of Grant, who was the Chef de Cuisine of the acclaimed Members Dining Room, and Executive Chef Mark Normoyle, Beth won a multitude of awards throughout her 3 year apprenticeship, culminating in an exceptional period where she won the prestigious Les Toques Blanches (LTB) Award for Excellence, and the Thierry Marx Career Development award run by Shared Tables, and earning her an overseas sojourn to work with Thierry in his kitchens in France.

After working in some of the world’s best kitchens (including The Fat Duck in Bray England), Beth returned to RACV to once again join Grant (Executive Sous Chef at the time). They worked on a project together at the Royal Melbourne Show, catering to more than 55,000 people over 14 days through events, a restaurant and a café lounge.

In 2018 the dynamic duo paired up again at Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley. Grant was appointed Executive Chef and Beth was the obvious choice for 2IC. In just 18 months, they successfully renewed kitchen ethos, shifted commitment to local produce, and fostered fabulous team culture in the kitchen. These outcomes (and tantalising menus of course) garnered Grant the Tourism Accommodation Australia’s Chef of the Year in 2019, and bolstered partnerships with some of the finest producers the Yarra Valley has to offer.

Grant and Beth’s close bond and incredible working relationship is testament to the exceptional food and dining events they create together. They are excited to see what the Balgownie kitchen team can produce in their brand new world-class kitchen and Restaurant 1309 @ Balgownie.