Penguin Books Australia

Photo credit: Guy Lavoipierre

Tobie Puttock's love affair with Italian food began when he was working in Melbourne's acclaimed Caffe e Cucina. The passion flourished as he cheffed his way across Europe, working eighteen-hour days in Italian-speaking kitchens, taking time out for snowboarding excursions and the odd very long lunch in a mountainside trattoria. In London, Tobie worked at the River Cafe, widely regarded as that city's best Italian restaurant, alongside a bevy of high-profile chefs, including Jamie Oliver. He moved back to Melbourne, once again to an Italian kitchen, this time a place called Termini.

In 2006, Tobie opened a new Fifteen restaurant in Melbourne, serving ripper Italian food made with the best produce available and prepared with care, imagination and plenty of heart. As Director, he oversees the training program for employing and mentoring disadvantaged kids to become industry professionals.

Most recently, Tobie opened his new venture, The Kitchen Cat, in Melbourne which embodies his passions about food--locally sourced produce creating authentic Italian food served in a comfortable environment. 

Tobie is the author of Daily Italian, Cook Like An Italian and Italian Local.