Shayne Mansfield

Born:

Brisbane.

History:

Born in Brisbane 1986, my passion for ?ne dining and food creation became evident from an early age and was both inspired and encouraged by my Grandmother. After completing my apprenticeship on the Sunshine Coast, I started to work with Executive Head Chef/Owner of e’cco, Philip Johnson. Philip encouraged me to move to London and expand my cooking knowledge. I took Philip’s advice and commenced working with Jason Atherton at City Social.

My time in Europe allowed me to explore Italy, Spain and France and experience both the North and South regions of European hospitality which added valuable knowledge to my skills as a Chef. I am constantly in search of new flavours, which led to travels within America and widened my culinary horizons even further. Upon returning to Australia in 2015, I started my journey with Spicers Retreats, The Long Apron restaurant. A year break in 2017 pushed me to work with a hospitality group in Toowoomba to transform a bar into a QLD top 100 restaurant. I’m now proud to be back with Spicers Retreats working with a talented team at Restaurant Botanica.

Have you always wanted to be a Chef?

Yes, always! I love the challenges this job throws at you every day.

How would you define your style?

Simple, honest and showcasing the best produce of the region I am involved in.

What is your feature flavour these days?

Cooking on wood fire.

Obsessive compulsive about?

Everything.

Your greatest culinary inspirations/influences:

Philip Johnson, Jason Atherton, Sean Brock, Daniel Humm and Simon Rogan, to name a few!

An ingredient you can’t live without?

Butter.

Most ‘eyebrow raising’ menu item?

This is forever changing, but at the moment, it would have to be our truffle potato with smoked hen’s yolk.

Signature dish:

Little Joe’s Farm braised short rib, BBQ baby vegetables, oyster cream and malted beef sauce. The short rib is cooked for 48 hours in buttermilk and onion juice.