Your MCs for Variety of Chefs
John X
John has enjoyed an extensive career in corporate entertainment, stage, radio and television in his home state of Tasmania for over 30 years.
On the mainland stage, John has most recently played the Cowardly Lion in the Australian touring production of Wizard of Oz. A career highlight among many roles was playing Pumbaa in The Lion King for Disney Theatrical Productions in Perth, Melbourne and Shanghai.
John's television highlights include Tailings (SBS) Rosehaven (ABC) and The Kettering Incident (Foxtel).
His film highlights include A Journey Through Time with Anthony (Zhou Xun), Macbeth 1040 AD for Dark Oak Films, The Sound Of One Hand Clapping (Artist Services) and Back From The Dead (Pocket Money Productions).
John is also the Artistic director of the Australian Musical Theatre Festival.
As a producer of musical theatre John began his career in the early 90s, since then he has produced over 20 musicals most recently with John X presents and the record breaking We Will Rock You at Hobart’s Theatre Royal that enjoyed a 99% capacity.
His latest project is Tasmania’s first fully professional commercial musical theatre production Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show in October/November 2021.
Chef Paul Foreman
Paul’s love of cooking began at the ripe old age of nine, with delight at his first magical creation using a sour, sweet Granny Smith apple, cinnamon, sultanas and buttery, flakey puff pastry.
A chef, consultant, and a caterer with over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Paul’s first formative cooking experience was at Prospect House, where he learnt about the importance of the relationships with growers.
After a few years in WA working at large fine dining establishments, Paul returned to Tasmania to become Head Chef at Gondwana, in a heritage cottage in Battery Point, where he received much recoginition for his menu.
The confidence to experiment, fail and then succeed became his mantra, as fortune favours the bold.
Paul then moved to head up newly established Marque IV, a highlight of his career, receiving much state and national acclaim.
Throughout his career, Paul has cooked alongside greats such as Tetsuya Wakuda, and held the first of the Savour Tasmania dinners hosting Michelin star chefs such as Shane Osborn.
Recently Paul started his own food truck business, Black Box Kitchen and delved into food theatre with his good friend, John X, forming Chef and the Showman.
Presently, Paul is in charge of all things food for the Great Lakes Hotel in the Central Highlands.
For Paul, good food is all about technique, consistency, passion, confidence and of course, the produce.
