Shannon Bennett
Acclaimed Australian chef Shannon Bennett has just undertaken the greatest challenge of his life - moving his acclaimed Vue de monde restaurant in 2011 to a dramatic new location on the 55th floor of Melbourne's iconic Rialto building. This was not just a move to a dramatic location; Shannon boldly set out to make Vue de monde Australia's most sustainable restaurant. More than 50 cutting-edge technologies are being employed, from an E-water system to 'cold kitchen technology' (no exposed flames or gas). Shannon is using homegrown and small-farm organic produce wherever possible and recyclable products.
The beginning of Vue de monde >
Shannon's Books
- The Vue de monde entry at Normanby Chambers, 2005
- Shannon Bennett at Vue de monde in Carlton, 2002
Shannon began his training at Grand Hyatt Melbourne under Roger Lienhard before moving to Europe and working in the kitchens of such greats as Albert Roux, John Burton-Race, Marco Pierre White and Alain Ducasse. Returning to Melbourne in 2000 at the age of 24, he opened Vue de monde in a humble terrace building in Carlton. A cult following was quickly established and in recognition for his obsession for classical cuisine combined with his edgy approach he was named Australian Gourmet Traveller’s Best New Talent for 2003.
In 2005 Shannon relocated Vue de monde to the historic Normanby Chambers building in Melbourne’s CBD, a stunning and opulent yet still quirky dining room with the open kitchen its main feature. Café Vue and Bistro Vue followed in 2006, offering additional dining options at the same city location. 2009 saw the opening of two further Café Vue venues: Café Vue at 401 St Kilda Rd and Café Vue at Heide at the iconic Heide Museum of Modern Art. In late 2010 Café Vue at Melbourne International opened, realising Shannon’s long-held dream of taking on the airlines! In developing international exposure for Vue de monde, Shannon was invited to be the first Australian member of the exclusive Jeunes Restaurateurs D’Europe and Le Grand Tables du Monde. Shannon was invited to be part of the Star Chefs Congress, in September 2007 in New York, securing his position as a leading chef on the global stage.
- Vue de monde at the Rialto
- Vue Events at Rialto
After six highly successful years, during which time Vue de monde scored an unprecedented 19/20 from The Age Good Food Guide and was repeatedly named Australian Restaurant of the Year, Shannon felt it was time to take Vue de monde to even greater heights. And so to Rialto! This expansive space with 365 degree views over Melbourne was more than two years in the making. The design and philosophy of the interior which reflects on Melbourne’s grand past in a sleek and modern way involved Shannon’s ideas and creative input at every stage and decision. The Lui Bar and Vue Events are important additions to Shannon’s portfolio of venues providing the Vue de monde touch to great cocktails and to larger scale events.
An accomplished author, Shannon’s first two books, My Vue and My French Vue, are both in their second editions and Shannon Bennett’s Paris (Shannon’s personal guide to his favorite city) was released in December 2009. Shannon Bennett’s Guide to New York was released in March 2011 (the second edition was released in August 2012). Shannon Bennett’s Guide to France and a revised edition of Paris were both released in November 2012. In a very personal book – 28 Days in Provence Shannon documents a month of living and eating in Provence with his family.