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 for a variety of companies and organisations - including Variety!
On the mainland stage, John has most recently been playing HARRY THE HORSE in Opera Aus GUYS AND DOLLS on the Harbour and previously appeared as COWARDLY LION in WIZARD OF OZ and has Stewpot in Opera Australia’s South Pacific, Dick Woollnough/Dee Anthony in The Boy From OZ for The Production Co., Mitch in The Threepenny Opera for Malthouse and STC, Spider/Lord Savage in Jekyll & Hyde for TML in Korea, Mr. Braithwaite in BILLY ELLIOT The Musical for Universal/Working Title, and Pumbaa in The Lion King for Disney Theatrical Productions in Perth, Melbourne and Shanghai.
His Television credits include Bay of Fires (ABC), Tailings (SBS), ROSEHAVEN (ABC), The Kettering Incident (Foxtel), Winners and Losers (7 Network), Tricky Business (Nine Network), Dance Academy (ABC), City Homicide (7 Network) and John Safran's Race Relations (ABC). His Film credits include Ancestry Road (Dark Epic), A Journey Through Time with Anthony (Zhou Xun), Macbeth 1040 AD (Dark Oak), The Sound Of One Hand Clapping (Artist Services) and Back From The Dead (Pocket Money Productions) and his voice can be heard in the films Legend of the Guardians, AUSTRALIA, Daybreakers, Mao’s Last Dancer, Two Fists One Heart, in mini-series for CLEO, False Witness, Scorched, and on TV shows Wild Boys, Rescue Special Ops and Slide.
In 2006 John was nominated for a Mo Award for his role as Pumbaa in The Lion King and he was a finalist in 2015 Tasmanian Australian of the year for all his charity work. He is a co-founder and producer with Big Monkey Théâtre, Legends of Revue and Bawdy Pantos, and a broadcaster on ABC local radio.
John also performs with Tasmania's answer to the Rat Pack, without hair, CROON.
As a producer of musical theatre, John began his career in the early 90s with a production of Camelot at Hobart’s Theatre Royal. Since then he has produced over 20 musicals with Gilbert and Sullivan Society, X,Wellington Wellington, X and the Theatre Royal Management Board and in 2018 with John X Presents, record-breaking WE WILL ROCK YOU and ROCKY HORROR SHOW.
Currently, John is in pre-production Big Monkey Theatre’s LIZARD OF OZ and Shakespeare in the Gardens MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
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.
Presently, Paul is running the restaurant at Caledon Estate Vineyard in Richmond and continues to relish food theatre gigs with his good friend, John X, as the Chef and the Showman.
For Paul, good food is all about technique, consistency, passion, confidence and of course, the produce.
www.chefpaulforeman.com.au/chef-the-showman
Sarah Morrison
Sarah has been in the radio industry for nine years, driven by a strong passion and love for her work. Throughout her career, she has been with Grant Broadcasters and is currently with ARN - Australia's #1 radio network. She has enjoyed every role she has taken on.
In 2018, she joined the Breakfast Show when 7HOFM launched "Sarah, Mick & Johnno," which aimed to help Hobart "start the day the fun way." This experience made Sarah feel as though she had finally found her true calling. Outside of work, Sarah has a love for entertaining and a strong passion for the arts. Her participation in various organizations, including theatre and dance, complements her current role in radio.
Her life experiences have shaped her into an approachable, friendly, and motivated person who values appreciation for the world around her. Sarah is persistent in pursuing her goals and believes in treating others as she wishes to be treated.
Becoming a Mum to her beautiful daughter Marley opened her heart in ways she never anticipated, introducing a profound love that developed rapidly. If you listen to the Radio show you will hear her regally.
She has a deep personal connection with Variety and appreciates all they have done for her family and countless others. Sarah is committed to supporting the charity in any way she can.
