21 Jan 2022
Matthew James, former owner and head chef at Turners Bakehouse in Mernda, has been in cuisine for over 35 years, with an illustrious career designing menus for international hotel chain, Hilton and others.
Matthew first became interested in cooking as a teenager and learnt by using cookery books that his parents had lying around. Meat and two types of vegetables were the focus of his culinary adventures at that point. After school, he’d wanted to join the RAF but was rejected because he was colourblind. He was working in a restaurant as an apprentice, so he enrolled in the local catering college and became a chef.
Wanting to gain experience in a big city, Matthew moved to London. As his skills developed, so did the opportunities. Within a short time frame, he was employed in the world of elite events and fine dining.
As an executive chef for the Institute of Directors gentlemen’s club in London, Matthew cooked for the royal family of England, and can reminisce about the times he’s seen them walking through the kitchen from the rear entrance, trying to avoid the paparazzi. Later, as a Global Task Force chef with Hilton Hotels, Matthew worked with celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay to develop menus for the hotel chain. Once he left there, headhunted by hoteliers with extensive access to money to fund their big ideas, he was instrumental in setting up hotels like BiCE Ristorante at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah. This enormous 600 room property had no less than six restaurants. On an average day the 120 chefs from Matthew’s team would serve around a thousand people for breakfast.
Turners Bakehouse is an historic building with more than a little bit of charm, originality and character. After a lifetime in huge kitchens making meals, Matthew really appreciated the authenticity of the work at Turners Bakehouse, working hands-on with bread and pastry.
Matthew delighted in seeing regular customers frequent the cafe. It enriched his work life to know their names and be able to anticipate what their order would be.
Menus at Turners Bakehouse are created seasonally and bring a modern twist to some traditional classics.
Matthew’s top tip for dining out in Whittlesea is Farm Vigano. “On a nice day, you could be in Tuscany,” he says.
In 2024 Matthew handed over ownership of Turners Bakehouse Eatery to a new owner who continues the tradition and will bring new things to a great venue.
