Meet our hosts
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Meet our hosts *
Dezi Madafferi
Dezi Madafferi is an avid homecook who first graced our television screens on Channel 7’s Plate of Origin, where her ‘Team Greece’ recipes won her team the competition.
Dezi’s easy-to-make Mediterranean recipes inspire and are loved by, not only her 31,000 followers on Instagram, but equally a number of reputable brands. She has worked with the likes of Tasman Butchers on a monthly basis creating and sharing family-friendly recipes, Sussan’s on their Christmas and Mother’ Day Campaigns, Westinghouse small appliances, Lilydale, Prahran Market and Sun Rice.
As a mother of two girls, a wife and owner of ‘Dezi cooks seasoning range’, Dezi enjoys keeping recipes simple and attainable for families and entertaining. It is this authenticity that has helped Dezi to build a loyal following online.
Alastair McLeod
Alastair McLeod is a chef, television personality, ambassador and corporate host with unbridled enthusiasm for all things food. Bestowed with the gift of the gab and a quick wit, Alastair is a popular master of ceremonies and guest speaker who brings his unique humour and professionalism to any event. Best known for his roles on Channel Seven’s Great Day Out and Network 10’s Ready Steady Cook, Alastair also has a recipe column in the Brisbane News and his Irish brogue is frequently heard on ABC and 4BC radio.
His Australian tenures have included roles as executive chef at the Brisbane stalwart Baguette which, under Alastair’s stewardship, won back to back Restaurant and Caterer awards and saw the restaurant inducted into the hall of fame. After a lengthy spell at Brett’s Wharf, he established Tank Restaurant and Bar in Brisbane’s CBD that was named in Australia’s hot 50 restaurants two years running, achieved 17/20 in the Courier Mail, 4/5 in The Australian and a coveted chef’s hat. More recently, Alastair launched Al’FreshCo; his own business that provides small and large scale catering to private and corporate clients.
Anna Polyviou
Anna Polyviou, A chef like no other. She thinks beyond the boundaries and invents to inspire and amaze. As a creative director, she creates mind-blowing food experiences, taking fans on a magical journey and empowering them to have fun. Her big personality and magnetic energy make her a hit with any audience. She’s bold, bright and exceeds expectations, just like her hair.
Anna is a regular presenter and host on network television in Australia with stints on fan favourites, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Dessert Masters and Ready, Steady Cook. She additionally appeared alongside Tom Parker Bowles and Matt Moran in the prime-time reality series Family Food Fight (Nine) and has appeared on MasterChef Australia (Ten), wowing the judges and stumping the contestants with her challenging and amazing desserts. She has also appeared on Everyday Gourmet, Studio Ten, My Market Kitchen, House of Wellness and The Living Room.
Anna has been engaged in catering gigs and masterclasses around the world facilitating her global audience. Furthermore, Anna’s cookie dough brand is sold in 850 Woolworths stores around Australia.
Jerry Mai
Jerry Mai is one of the first chefs to bring authentic Vietnamese flavours to Melbourne’s kitchens. She continues to be a culinary leader whose paddock to plate ethos and no-fuss attitude is winning friends and fans in Melbourne and afield. Jerry currently owns several restaurants in Melbourne including Bia Hoi, Pho Nom and Annam, and her Pop up over 2020 Summer at Ocean Eight Winery was a massive success, further cementing her as a force in Melbourne’s hospitality industry.
In 2020, Jerry became a regular co-host of SBS Food’s Asia Unplated with Diana Chan, and she also appeared on My Market Kitchen, Everyday Gourmet and Masterchef Australia.
Jerry spent her early years at some of Melbourne’s best known and most respected Asian-accented restaurants - Longrain (2006), Seamstress (2007) and Gingerboy (2008-9). Jerry has learnt from the best in the business and brings the training and expertise from these popular kitchens and busy chefs to everything that she does.
Jamie Gannon
Jamie Gannon was raised in the small town of Golden Grove, located in Adelaide, South Australia. From a young age, his father instilled in him the importance of hard work and perseverance, inspiring Jamie to pursue his dreams. It was at the age of 15 when Jamie discovered his passion for cooking, which led him to join the Royal Australian Navy. During his service, he traveled the world and honed his skills in the kitchen, learning from five key chefs, including Colin Fassnidge, Steve Davidson, Manu Feildel, who have shaped him into the leader he is today.
As the Group Executive Chef at Laundy Hotels, Gannon oversees a team of talented chefs and culinary professionals. He is responsible for creating menus and dining experiences that reflect the unique character and flavors of each of the 40+ hotel locations. More recently, Jamie will also be seen judging the ‘Chef of the Year’ awards for Food Service Australia. Jamie continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the kitchen, inspiring his team and delighting guests with his exceptional cuisine.