Wollongong chefs Michael and Martin Papac have cooked at functions in the United Kingdom for major celebrities such as Elton John and Kate Moss.
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The two brothers know what it is like to cater for a variety of functions and events but now want to do it by the seaside in their home town.
They have started a catering business called m2 kitchen and are officially launching it with a degustation dinner for serious diners called Chefs at the Beach on February 27.
When the six course meal starts at 7pm it will also be the unveiling of the newly renovated Events at the Esplanade Thirroul Beach.
Located on The Esplanade at Thirroul (part of the Thirroul Surf Club) the kitchen will be the base they will be operating from and the venue will be available to book for functions.
“This has been a dream for us for a long time,” Michael said.
“What we have always wanted to do is run a catering business together. It is full steam ahead now.”
Michael and Martin both completed their apprenticeships at TAFE a decade ago at City Diggers and The Lagoon.
They then wanted to challenge themselves overseas. Martin moved to New Zealand to experience the cuisine and local produce that country had to offer. He worked in busy tourism areas while his brother Michael headed to London to look for opportunities in Europe. Martin then joined Michael in London and they both learned many new techniques working for world renowned catering companies such as Rhubarb and Rocket.
They also developed their talent in Michelin Star restaurants such as The Delaunay and The Wolseley in Mayfair and work alongside acclaimed chefs such as Fergus Henderson and Albert Roux.
Among the celebrities they cooked for were Prince William and Kate Middleton, Jay-Z and English Prime Minister David Cameron.
“We have been to Elton John’s house and we were at Kate Moss’s wedding,” Michael said.
Martin was the first to return to Wollongong as head chef of a large function centre and Michael was offered a sous chef position in Oslo, Norway at Onda by pal & ness. After two years he moved to Sydney’s ‘one hat’ restaurant Bistrode CBD under the guidance of Jeremy Strode.
The two brothers have worked together several times during their career and now want to combine again to showcase the techniques and skills learnt during the last decade and bring something “deliciously different” to Wollongong.
The main focus will be a twist on the modern Australian cuisine.
The two men have catered for events such as a private parties for celebrities in their homes such as Elton John. So with that experience m2kitchen.com.au is fully mobile and can work in indoor and outdoor settings in any location.
They have already done one small function at an art gallery and have another booking for February 13 but won’t do the official launch until the Chefs at the Beach dinner at Events at the Esplanade Thirroul Beach. They are also the chefs for that new look venue that can cater for up to 200 people.
And while they cannot tell any stories to the media from celebrity events they have cooked at they may be encouraged to reveal a few things at some of their future events.