My Journey

My food journey began when I was strong enough to carry a plate. From family traditions embedded in me to eat what we grow, my food journey has taken me to all ends of the earth to understand cultures and cuisines beyond my imagination.

In high school my friends studied legal studies and Business management, I decided to pursue Food technology and cooking at a time when there was no Masterchef and celebrity chefs. My friends told me I was crazy and there was no future in Food. 

But, we all have to Eat. 

My first official job was washing plates in a family run Italian restaurant in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, where I quickly graduated to the floor staff team and learnt the basics of the food industry. Good food and great customer service.

I decided to pursue my food studies into university, and during this time I landed my big break into the food industry with the market leading Foodservice distribution company PFD. 

I was lucky enough to work with a team regarded the "best in the industry" and I began my journey on becoming an actual Foodie. 

After 3 years of cutting my teeth in Melbourne, I took the big leap of relocating to Sydney with PFD. At the tender age of 24 and heading up a new supply chain division of NSW for PFD, I found myself leading fellow work colleagues 3 times my age.

But through it all, I learnt some valuable life lessons. Relationships. 

Without the strong relationships I formed with suppliers the success would never have been achieved. And to this day this work ethic carries me on my journey.

After 4 strong years in NSW my other love in life outside of food, family, brought me back to Melbourne.

My next career challenge exposed me to the world of Importing. Working with market leading brands like Lavazza, Dilmah and Sirena Tuna. 

I was dealing with people on the other side of the world, in currencies not accepted at your local supermarket and lead-times longer than the shelf life of yoghurt.

I didn't think food could get any more challenging until I entered the Seafood industry. Joining a company that had the reputation as the best in the seafood industry, I quickly learnt that seconds were longer than minutes. 

Working with one of the most challenging and respected business owners in the Southern Hemisphere I quickly understood what it took to cut it in the fast paced food industry.

A short stint in the food manufacturing sector helped me further understand what it takes to "make a product", it then led me to at the time, my dream job. 

Joining one of the fastest growing multi site restaurant companies at the start of its peak growth periods taught me to take my multi tasking skills to the next level, but most of all it enhanced my relationship building with suppliers. 

The key relationships I built ensured a smooth transition through a rapid growth period but also set the business up for sustainable supply chain and success. Without the strong relationships the challenges over the years would have been far more greater than they actually were.

To this day I still carry most of the relationships with suppliers for over 15 years. This has been built on trust, respect and strong partnerships. Success is shared.

But my life long dream was always to own my own company. With our family run food catering company spanning 40+ years and my passion for food, I had options.

So it brings me to today. 

While many will debate that they are the best foodie, I continue the relentless pursuit of perfection. That is, perfect food. What is perfect? Well nobody knows yet. 

As our taste buds continue to change year on year and food "fads" challenge the food industry to continue to evolve. For us working in the industry it brings its challenges but it also brings the fun and passion for us to make food great.

So today, tomorrow and beyond, my focus is to connect great ingredients, from great suppliers, with great companies so consumers can enjoy the flavours of tomorrow.

Zok

Passion for Food