Massimo Mele

Massimo Mele's Biography

Massimo Mele’s is a first class chef with big Italian heart and soul. His passion for Italian food comes from being surrounded by great Italian food from an early age. Always on the go and always up for a laugh, until recently Massimo was the Executive Chef of the Hugos Group in Sydney, which included Hugos Manly, Hugos Bar Pizza & Hugos Catering. He is now at the helm of his rapidly expanding business, Catering by Massimo’, where fun-loving and entertaining nature is reflected in his passion for the casual ‘get-amongst-it’ style of his much-loved Italian street food.

Born in Tasmania and raised in Naples, Massimo watched his grandmother, aunties and mother cook and prepare food in the kitchen every day. His family migrated back to Tasmania when he was a boy, where he discovered and honed his food senses working in the family restaurant, La Bella Napolli. A believer of the farm-to-table principle, Massimo spent time on the family farm learning, picking and cooking fresh produce. He believes the one thing that makes Italian food amazing is ingredients.

Massimo’s professional credentials read like a star pupil. He did his apprenticeship under Chef Roberto Castellanni at the prestigious Donovan’s Restaurant in St Kilda. He was named ‘Apprentice of The Year’ in 1999 at the Restaurant & Catering Awards. In 2004 he returned to open Mud Bar and Restaurant in Launceston, which after just one year received a prestigious ‘Chefs Hat’ and numerous industry awards. Massimo was named winner of the ‘People’s Choice Award’ at the Lexus Young Chef of the Year Competition 2005. He then moved back to Italy and worked in the south mastering his craft with true Italian cooks before returning home to consolidate his food industry career.

He likes having a good time, listening to loud music, dishing up and eating great Italian street food with his mates. In his not-so-spare time he is mischievious and unflappable as a popular regular on the ‘Ready Steady Cook Series’, is competitive and cheeky on ‘Morning’s’ Battle of the Chefs segment, works with Winnings Appliances Best Chef Program and makes regular appearances at food and wine shows around the country.

Massimo recently contributed to mate James Kerley’s book ‘The Man Plan’ (described as a “get your **** together” guide for guys) some key cooking tips every man needs to succeed in life…. amongst other valuable advice, we’re sure.

Massimo Mele is young in spirit and adventurous. He excels in his true passions - Italian street food shared with friends and diners, creatively, simply and superbly in a social and uncomplicated way.