I started my cooking career in 2000 whilst studying at TAFE I was also working at the Salopian Inn and then Ayers House. I then worked in a variety of places with different cuisines such as Greek, Indian, Italian, and French. I have recently returned to Adelaide after travelling to London and then Noosa where I was working as a chef to improve my knowledge and skills. I am a very passionate chef who likes the buzz of kitchen life. My main influence is French having been inspired by people like Thomas Keller and Pierre Gagnaire. I am very fortunate to have had Rosa Matto as a mentor for the last five years and this has helped me refine my skills and become a much better chef. I have also helped teach with Rosa at her cookery school and thoroughly enjoy that side of kitchens as well. For the future I plan to study, specialising in pastry work and continue to work in the hospitality industry in an educational roll.

John Furbank - Profile

John has been a regular customer at the Adelaide Market for over 25 years and joined the Chef’s Media Tour Team 12 months ago. John says ‘I have always had a passion for the Central Market with its multi cultural vitality, amazing mixtures of scent and spice and clamour of commerce. I like nothing better than to enjoy a morning coffee in the Market watching this corner of the world as it goes about its business’. In his other life John is a regulatory practice consultant specialising in advising on compliance with technical standards and writing technical guides. John has an expertise in the organic food area and is a member of the Standards Australia Organic and Biodynamic Products Committee which is developing the first Australian standard for the domestic organic and biodynamic market. John is also a member of Standards Australia’s Food Produce Committee and the author of ‘Buying and Selling Organic Food’ published in 2005 by SAI Global. An interest in Adelaide’s early development and the contribution made by early growers and market families to the Central Market of today enables John to provide an added insight to the Market’s unique appeal.

Jack Liao - Profile

Jack originally is from Taiwan and was grown up in a big traditional market in his hometown. He believes that market is a place to show and to reflect true local characteristics. When Jack worked for airlines as a cabin attendant, the first thing he did when arriving in a new destination was to visit local markets. In 2007, Jack arrived in Adelaide as an international student and studied Tourism Management at TafeSA. After his first visit to the Central Market, he loved the market instantly. As being a food lover and home cook, Jack not only has become a big fan but also a shopping expert of the Market.

Mark Gleeson - Profile

Married with two teenage daughters, Mark works at full pace in an industry he loves.

Retired Chef and great home cook
Owner of Providore in the Adelaide Central Market
National and State Olive Oil Judge
Cheese Sensory Analyst
Member Slow Food Association
Member Adelaide City Round Table Committee
Member Central Market Traders Association
Member Central Market Advisory Group - Marketing
Deputy Member to Adelaide City Council Sub Committee
Accredited Chef’s Media Tour Operator
Member South Australian Tourism Accreditation Board
Corporate Member SA Great
Trader Representative Adelaide Central Market Committee
Member SA Wine Food Tourism ACTION Group
Pilot Member SK1000 Sustainability Program

Wendy Gilmour- Profile

The Adelaide Central Market has been part of my life since I was young.  I love the community spirit and the celebration of diversity…and after years of travelling extensively it is always one of my first stops on returning home.

My involvement in the hospitality industry has been ongoing for over 25 years, from picking sauterne grapes during vintage in France to living in Spain for 5 years were I fell in love with the food and still continue to cook that style.  

Returning home, I went to Regency Park College, undertaking their hotel management course and have subsequently worked with some of the greats of the industry, including Cheong Liew  at the original Neddy’s Restaurant , Brian Croser’s Petaluma at Bridgewater Mill and Neil Perry at Barrenjoey House in Palm Beach, NSW.

I moved into management of major ‘boutique’ pubs in the early 1990’s, initially in Perth for Matilda Bay Brewing Company, makers of Redback Beer and subsequently took over running the Redback Brewery Hotel in Melbourne. As Operations Manager within their extensive pub group we led the way in establishing a more sophisticated food and coffee culture, which has now become so prevalent.

I opened my first restaurant/cafe in Potts Point Sydney and on moving back to Adelaide took over proprietorship of the Star Café on Norwood Parade. I continue my love of cooking still with my own modest catering company, conducting cooking classes and reading lots of cook books.

But the market always draws me back with its high quality and diverse produce, the best smells and not to mention the great coffee.