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THE KITCHEN ANTICS TEAM
Led by founders and directors of Kitchen Antics Tours, Susan Williams and Max Paganoni, the Kitchen Antics team of Tour Leaders share a wealth of knowledge and expertise to enlighten the groups they take to Italy.
KAT DIRECTORS
MAX
PAGANONI
Max is a successful restaurateur of 13 years as the owner / chef of Max's Restaurant at Red Hill Estate & has also recently taken over Solair Restaurant at the Arthurs Seat Maze.
Max is of Italian heritage and was born in Hastings, Mornington Peninsula, and has grown up and lived in the surrounding areas since. He now resides in Red Hill, has expanded his business ventures to include launching a range of his own produce, including Max's Extra Virgin Olive oil, Morello Cherry Balsamic Vinegar and Dukkah Egyptian spices. Max has also recently set up Max's Retreat B&B in Red Hill.
Max is widely traveled, having spent a substantial amount of time traveling throughout Europe, Thailand and Vietnam. Max is co director of Kitchen Antics Tours along with friend and partner Susan Williams. Max has been leading the Kitchen Antics Tuscan Adventures for Five years as well as leading the Kitchen Antics Sicily tours that have been operating for the last two years. Max speaks Italian and has a passion for Italian Cuisine.
click to visit Max's Restaurant
SUSAN WILLIAMS
Susan has been a Chef in Melbourne for 20 years working alongside such great chefs as Bill Marchetti. She moved on from the hectic life of a city Chef to raise her two children on her acreage on the Mornington Peninsula. It was on the Mornington Peninsula that Susan met Max and a bond was formed. Susan returned to cooking in a different role, becoming a tertiary teacher in cooking.
Susan is the front woman for Kitchen Antics and is the first point of contact for potential clients wishing to take the journey to Italy. Susan is also kept busy with her many community interests and is a keen horsewoman, a trait passed on to her daughter who participates in many riding events where Susan donates much of her time.
Susan speaks Italian and has been travelling to Europe since the seventies and has a life long interest in everything Italian. Susan has also been leading the Kitchen Antics Tuscan Adventures for Five years as well as leading the Kitchen Antics Sicily tours that have been operating for the last two years. This year Susan will be taking a research trip focusing on finding ideal locations for accommodation and cooking classes for the Northern Tour commencing in September 2008.
KAT TOUR LEADERS
CATHERINE EASTON
Cathy has worked in the financial services industry for 20 years in organisations such as Citibank, GE Capital and National Australia Bank. Having recently left a senior leadership role, Cathy has chosen to pursue more creative and community based endeavours. This has included supporting two not-for-profit organisations in an advisory capacity and researching Italian Food Markets.
Cathy speaks Italian, has traveled to Italy a number of times and visited regions such as Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast and Sicily. Cathy has just returned from leading the very successful Tuscan Adventure in May with Max.
ANTHONY BAILEY
Anthony Bailey is an experienced traveler who is at home in some of the most interesting countries of the world. He has lived for substantial periods in Italy and England and has traveled extensively around the globe.
Anthony speaks fluent Italian, having studied the language to degree level at university. His specialist interests are in Italian ecclesiastical architecture, culinary practice and tradition.
Anthony's first professional qualification was in cooking, and though he has since branched out into teaching and educational administration. He is an honours graduate in Fine Arts of the University of Melbourne who, before and after taking his degree, has spent many hours visiting the galleries, churches and palazzi of Rome, Florence, Perugia, Venice, Milan, Ravenna, Padua, Naples, Reggio di Calabria and many smaller towns and villages.
GRAEME PHILLIPS
Graeme has lived and worked all over the world including Argentina, Stockholm and London and speaks Spanish and Swedish.
He currently lives in Tasmania where he is a renowned wine and food writer, consultant, author of 'Eat Drink Tasmania' and is a very successful Tour operator with "A Bite of Wild Apples".
Graeme has been a Restaurateur / Chef for over 20 years in Tasmania including Prospect House (Richmond) and Battery Point Brasserie (Hobart)
CATHERINE
HAMILTON
Catherine studied Fine Art and Print Making at The Epsom School of Art in Surrey and Life Drawing at The Chelsea School of Art in London. Her career took her into advertising and printing and then as an overseas consultant for London Contemporary Art Gallery and Anna Hunter Fine Arts, selling limited edition prints including works by HRH Prince Charles.
Now resident in Australia Catherine returned to the UK in 1999 for 4 years. During her time in the UK, Catherine had the opportunity to work as a student of renowned UK portrait artist Ken Paine. She also studied with Victor Ambrus, Tom Coates and Ken Howard.
Catherine has been painting professionally for 16 years and for much of that time has been teaching. Catherine is a popular and much sought after tutor, conducting workshops and classes both locally and interstate.
Catherine has had the opportunity to travel throughout the world and many of her paintings are a result of these experiences. Catherine has gained recognition for her portraits and has recently won several awards. She held a solo portrait show in May 2004 and Robert Wade, who opened the exhibition, is quoted as saying, “This is one of the most exciting shows I have seen in many years.”
Work is in collections throughout the UK, France, USA and Australia and is currently shown at The Flinders Fine Art Gallery and the Sorrento Fine Art Gallery, Mornington Peninsula.
Catherine will
be leading the Spring Artists Workshop tour through Tuscany from 13th – 27th May
2007.
Create your masterpiece of the stunning Tuscan scenery and architecture. Art
classes, visits to galleries and historic locations to learn all about Tuscany’s
art treasures. A tour for both art lovers and artists alike