Mark Olive

Mark Olive's Biography

Mark
Olive, known as ‘The Black Olive’ is Australia’s most celebrated and renowned
Indigenous chef. He has been cooking for more than 30 years and his charismatic
style and creative approach to food have developed him an esteemed reputation
and a large following in Australia and around the world.

 

As
a Bundjalung man, Mark’s family originated from the Northern Rivers region in
NSW. Born in Wollongong, he became interested in cooking as a child after
watching his mother and aunts prepare meals. He trained under a European chef
and has worked in a variety of kitchen environments ranging from theatres,
universities, health services, film sets and in a lá
carte restaurants around the globe, as well as cooking in the bush and the
earth, some of nature’s greatest appliances.  In 2008 Mark established his
own catering business to share the tastes and flavours of Indigenous Australia
that he has melded with his contemporary cooking style .

 

Mark
has cooked and presented locally in  Melbourne, across Australia and
around  the world and is in frequent demand to present and appear at food
events, Indigenous celebrations and representing Australia’s vibrant culinary
and cultural tapestry, right across the world.

 

Mark
is also a host of cooking, lifestyle and travel shows, with his The
Outback Cafe series televised in living rooms all over the planet. Mark has
a passion for fusing native and Indigenous Australian ingredients with
contemporary cooking techniques to create a dynamic and unique gastronomic
philosophy.  This has led to a remarkable  international profile, and
the creation of Black Olive Catering, an indigenous catering company in North
Melbourne, Victoria.

 

Along
with his daily business operations, Mark now cooks regularly for clients such
as Tourism Australia  at large corporate, public and cultural events
around the country and the world, bringing his signature infusions of
contemporary outback flavours to every occasion.

 

 

In
2010 Mark’s business was chosen as one of the destinations on
Oprah’s Victorian itinerary when she travelled to Australia with her
Ultimate Audience. Her lucky guests were treated to a cultural experience of
indigenous food, art and storytelling during Mark’s infamous cooking
demonstration.

 

2013
is a big year for Mark – with more local and international travel taking him to
food and cultural events around the country and abroad, he will continue to
champion the cuisine for which he has become known as well as providing
guidance and opportunity to young Indigenous Australians – in the hope of
handing down his knowledge and skills to the next generation of cooks.

 

Due
to his success, Mark has been selected to be a member of Tourism
Australia’s ‘Friends of Australia’ program, which was “created to harness
the power of bright and influential individuals who are making a name for
themselves on the world stage, and who have a genuine affinity with Australia”.

 

Mark
Olive is available for appearances and events and would be happy to be
considered as a part of your next celebration.