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Exec Chef / Bega
Gary Johnson

An internationally recognisd Chef with over 40 years of culinary experience and leadership in restaurants, pubs and leading hotels (Hilton, Kempinski, Four Seasons) from several different countries. Extensive knowledge of the commercial food service, health and aged care markets including procurement. International Culinary Olympian, National Culinary Judge and Regional Life Member of the Australian Culinary Federation.

In 1993 our own restaurant “Two Chefs” achieved 3 chef hats in the Good Food Guide and in 2011 as Executive Chef at the Hilton Sydney; I was awarded the Australian Hotel Association (AHA) “National Chef of the Year”.

My most recent position was Group Executive Chef with Australian Leisure and Hospitality (Endeavour Group) from 2019 to 2023, responsible for developing the Food Strategy and culinary direction within the group including conceptual development, performance metrics, hotel projects, menu management; Head chef development, brand standards, Kitchen design, innovation and commercial equipment. The ALH group has over 350+ hotels with 1100+ chefs generating $500m+ in food sales annually.

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Australia's Best Burger Awards: Heat 1
Sunday 18 May
10:00 am
Australia's Best Burger Awards
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Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
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Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
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Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
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Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Heat 2
Sunday 18 May
11:30 am
Australia's Best Burger Awards
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Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
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Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
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Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Heat 3
Sunday 18 May
1:00 pm
Australia's Best Burger Awards
Image
Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
Image
Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Heat 4
Sunday 18 May
3:30 pm
Australia's Best Burger Awards
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Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
Image
Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia's Best Burger Awards Ceremony
Monday 19 May
4:30 pm
Australia's Best Burger Awards & Competition
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Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
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Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Heat 5
Monday 19 May
10:00 am
Australia's Best Burger Awards
Image
Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
Image
Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Heat 6
Monday 19 May
11:30 am
Australia's Best Burger Awards
Image
Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
Image
Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Heat 7
Monday 19 May
1:00 pm
Australia's Best Burger Awards
Image
Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
Image
Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Heat 8
Monday 19 May
2:30 pm
Australia's Best Burger Awards
Image
Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
Image
Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
Image
Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Australia’s Best Burger Awards: Winner Announcement
Monday 19 May
4:30 pm
VIP Lounge
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Matt Wilkinson
MW Projects | Grill'd Head of Innovation
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Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
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Shane Pigdon
Head of Operations
Grill'd
Image
Jimmy Hurlston
Easeys
Risotto Carbonara
Tuesday 20 May
1:00 pm
Pizza Masterclasses
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Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega
Burger Masterclass - Gary Johnson
Tuesday 20 May
11:00 am
Australia's Best Burger Awards
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Gary Johnson
Exec Chef
Bega