By Emily-Rose Toohey
After seeing a form on Facebook, Marley’s Little Kitchen owner and chef Matt Wells made a drunken decision to enter in 2022’s Queensland Chef of the Year competition.
The late night whim marked his first time participating in a competition since he was 17 and luckily, Matt said he had a great time.
The main event was held on the 15 and 16 May at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with 28 competitors after narrowing down the competition from 156 entrants.
“I’m glad I ended up doing it – it was fun and I’ll apply and go again next year,” he said of the experience.
“There’s little things you pick up to know for next time.”
Matt said he won his heat, however, missed out by a minuscule two points which stopped him from making it to the final.
“Out of the eight heats, the top four people progressed,” he said of just missing out.
Contestants had to cook four mystery entrees and four mains under a strict time limit, but Matt said he’s used to preparing food quickly.
“Marley’s changes its menu daily,” he said.
The overall winner was Tom Hitchcock from The Long Apron, but Matt’s chef career is no less impressive.
Matt said he started professionally cooking at 16 as an apprentice, and the now 34-year-old opened Marley’s Little Kitchen with his wife Bobbi-Lee in December last year.
“It was time to do something ourselves,” he said of the venture.
He also runs the Barrel Room Restaurant, however, the pair have a grand plan to transform a Davadi Street location into a 160 seat restaurant – Marley’s Garage.
“Marley’s Little Kitchen is a taste of what’s to come,” he explained.
Matt said this won’t be opened for about two more years as they need to get the application through council, but he promises this new restaurant will have a mechanic theme and a view of Stanthorpe.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own restaurant,” he said.
“It’ll be similar sort of food to current Marley’s and will operate for lunch and dinner, and breakfast from Friday through to Sunday.”
But for now, residents can visit Marley’s Little Kitchen at 51 Maryland Street, Stanthorpe, with ordering and bookings available online.
