Matt Wilkinson

Matt Wilkinson

Matt Wilkinson hails from the rolling pastures and industrial jungle of Barnsley, South Yorkshire in the North of England – a stealthily disguised ‘centre gastronomique.’

Charming and ever-so-modest, Matt’s foodie muscles were carved under Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart before arriving in Australia where he worked at Vue de monde and Circa.

Matt is chef and owner of Melbourne eatery Pope Joan in East Brunswick, Melbourne: a neighbourhood café by day and casually distinctive eatery by night, replete with wine bar and kitchen garden – a firm neighbourhood favourite since opening its doors in 2010.

Matt is the author of two best-selling cookbooks: Mr Wilkinson’s Favourite Vegetables and Mr Wilkinson’s Simply Dressed Salads, which have sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide. Matt is currently working on a third book – Mr and Mrs Wilkinson’s How It Really Is At Home – co-written with his wife Sharlee Gibb.

Matt’s poorly concealed obsession is with growing, sourcing and presenting the best tasting produce, and he appreciates the farmers and food producers that make his gastronomic plans a reality so it is fitting that he is a former ambassador for the Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association.