Chef de Cuisine of Hearth Restaurant, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth 

Having first joined The Ritz-Carlton, Perth in 2021, Brian Cole was promoted within The Ritz-Carlton, Perth culinary team to Chef de Cuisine of Hearth in 2023.

In his role, Brian is responsible for skilfully crafting enticing seasonal menus, executing the vision of Hearth and utilising his leadership skills to oversee kitchen operations whilst nurturing a talented culinary team who uphold stringent quality standards and culinary excellence. With a passion for delivering an exceptional guest experience, Brian harnesses the power of nature and the open fire, coupling this with local Western Australian produce and a selection of exclusive local wine.

In his time at Hearth, Chef Brian pioneered the re-launching of the daily Afternoon Tea in Hearth Lounge and introduced several seasonal dinner and afternoon tea menus, showcasing his evolving creativity and culinary expertise.

With a passion for creating and developing his team and the people around him, Brian has played a crucial role in accelerating the growth and success of his colleagues. Together with his dedication to providing outstanding food and beverage experiences, he has also shown unwavering commitment to maximising the hotel’s financial performances.

“As cliché as it sounds, making people happy after an unforgettable dining experience and interacting with guests are what I love about this business”, said Chef Brian Cole. He enjoys delving deeper into the lives and interests of his guests and aims to “create a personalised experience for them on their special occasion or just for dining”.

Brian best describes his style of cooking as contemporary Australian fusion. By blending a combination of native ingredients, Asian spices and French cooking techniques, he seamlessly creates a harmonious combination with his culinary creations.

Chef Brian’s desire for learning and growth in kitchen operations is insatiable. He consistently seeks out new challenges and opportunities for his own development, as well as that of his team and colleagues.