Michael Bascetta
Small business owner, manager, constant brainstormer.
Michael is the venue manager and part owner behind Bar Liberty, in Fitzroy.
Previous to this Michael spent 3.5 years working at Attica Restaurant, which culminated in him becoming Assistant Restaurant Manager. Prior to Attica he worked at Nahm Restaurant in London as well as a host of wineries, breweries and restaurants in the Yarra Valley.
Michael is now the CEO & Co-Founder of Worksmith, a co-working space dedicated to the food and beverage industry.
Banjo Harris Plane
Wine import, sales and expertise.
Banjo started his career in hospitality in Adelaide at his parent’s restaurant, before moving to London to gain more experience.
Upon returning to Australia, he headed to Sydney, where he spent a number of years working at some of countries top restaurants.
Banjo then took the opportunity to move to Melbourne and take on the task of Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier at the well-regarded Attica. During his four and a half year stint in this position, Banjo crafted an award winning wine list, as well as bringing the standard of service to a level in which it was repeatedly regarded not only the best in Melbourne, but one of the top restaurants in the world.
Banjo currently works on numerous wine-related projects - An online wine business (The Wine Gallery), a wine bar (Bar Liberty) as well as enjoying a glass or two in his spare time. He also recently became a father, which tends to curtail the amount of spare time he has, but that’s another story...
Meira Harel
Sommelier, restaurant manager, athlete, mother.
Meira started working in hospitality 12 years ago in a little Italian restaurant called ‘Bellini’ in Tel Aviv, Israel.
After growing to be a Restaurant Manager and a Sommelier Meira came to Melbourne 6 years ago to learn more and expand her experience with food and wine.
In the past 6 years she has worked at some of Victoria’s finest restaurants - Brooks, Grossi Florentino, The Lake House and The Town Mouse.
In 2016 she was awarded the 'Age Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year' .
Meira is now an independent sommelier and wine consultant as well as being the sales representative of some of Australia’s best winemakers.
Her latest achievement has been adding ‘Mum’ to her already remarkable resumé
Vicky Symington
Chef, baker, fermenter, globetrotter.
Vicky started her career in London at a number of restaurants including Claridge’s where she worked for two years as Sous Chef. After her stint in London she spent time as a stagier at some of the world’s top restaurants, this included In de Wulf in Belgium, before turning her attention to New York.
In New York, Vicky worked for six months for one the most influential restaurants in the world, WD 50.
Upon her arrival in Melbourne she was given the opportunity to work at Attica Restaurant where she completed a two year stint.
Vicky is now focusing on baking at Loafer Bread in North Fitzroy, as well as fermenting anything she can get her hands on.
Kylie Javier Ashton
Restaurant Manager
Born and raised in Sydney, Kylie started her hospitality career working in bars. When she was given the opportunity to work at the world renowned Tetsuya's, she found her passion in restaurants.
She continued to develop her career and love of wine when she worked with Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt at Bentley Restaurant and Bar. In 2010 she was part of the original lineup for the Taste of Young Sydney (TOYS) collective where she ran the Front of House operations.
Kylie went on to open Duke Bistro with Mitch Orr and Thomas Lim before joining Momofuku Seiōbo shortly after it opened in October 2011. She was nominated for Gourmet Traveller Maître D' of the Year 2018, and was awarded Restaurant Manager of the Year in the inaugural Women in Foodservice Awards 2017. She is a judge for the Appetite for Excellence 'Young Waiter' competition in 2018.