COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE

Jimmy Zhu

PRESIDENT

Richard Warneke

MARKETING

Troy Huang

FINANCE / SECRETARY

Steven Goh

DEPUTY FINANCE / DEPUTY SECRETARY

Johnny Jong

ADVISOR

Jeffrey Tan

HONORARY LIFE MEMBER

Leslie Chan

ADVISOR

Timothy Goh

ASSISTANT

Jimmy Zhu

PRESIDENT

BIO

Jimmy is passionate about promoting Asian cultures in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, where Asian cuisine can sometimes be undervalued and seen as cheap. He believes that Asian cuisine can be premium and that good chefs are needed to produce high-quality dishes. Jimmy is also concerned about the future of the hospitality industry and the need to pass on skills and knowledge to the next generation, especially in the Asian part of the industry. He feels that it’s important to attract students to the industry, not just for PR or a quick career, but for a long-term commitment to the culture.

However, he understands that it can be challenging to find apprentices who are genuinely interested in the industry. Jimmy believes that it’s important to support the future of the hospitality industry, regardless of cultural background, and that the skills and knowledge transfer is essential for the industry’s success. By joining the Asian Chef Club, Jimmy hopes to connect like-minded individuals who share his passion for Asian cultures and cuisine and work together to promote and preserve them for future generations.

Melbourne, Victoria


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Richard Warneke

PRESIDENT

BIO

Richard is a seasoned marketing professional with a passion for problem-solving and helping businesses succeed. His journey into marketing began after completing a double degree in law and commerce, which laid the foundation for his strategic and analytical thinking.
Since 2011, Richard has held the position of Managing Director at RW Marketing, a full-service marketing agency located in Kensington, Melbourne. Over the years, he has collaborated with a diverse range of businesses, providing them with comprehensive marketing solutions. Richard’s strategic marketing skills have been instrumental in formulating effective growth strategies for clients, considering factors such as the economic climate and industry landscape.
With a strong focus on the food service and FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) markets, Richard’s experience in the food industry is extensive. RW Marketing has worked closely with a variety of clients, including lawyers, accountants, restaurants, manufacturing companies, supermarkets, and importers, among others. This industry specialization has enabled Richard to gain in-depth knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities within the food sector.
He questions why a bowl of noodles should cost less than a plate of pasta when Asian cuisine requires just as much skill, knowledge, and quality ingredients. Richard believes that without proper transfer of knowledge, Asian culture will be difficult to replicate. By joining the Asian Chef Club, Richard hopes to help create a platform where Asian chefs can connect, share knowledge and resources, and grow together. He is committed to supporting the development of the next generation of Asian chefs in Australia and promoting the value of authentic Asian cuisine in the local food industry.

Melbourne, Victoria

Richardwwarneke@gmail.com

Johnny Jong

ADVISOR

BIO

A professional Executive Chef with involvement in the large scale, high volume, Hospitality Industry over the last 25 years. Duties throughout my career have included extensive staff, client and key stakeholder relationship management, initiation and participation in the implementation of major initiatives and strategic design and delivery of effective protocols for continuous improvement.

I am highly motivated and have the ability to work within a team and as a single contributor. With proven ability to manage all the relationships with customers, suppliers and other internal and external stakeholders, particularly strong in managing concerns of others and being able to understand the needs and requirements and then develop a mutually acceptable action strategy to resolve. I have a strong work ethic, conscientious and reliable.

Melbourne, Victoria


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Jeffrey Tan

Honorary Life Member

BIO

Chef De Cuisine Jeffrey Tan is especially well-known as a Guest Celebrity Chef in Asia and Australia. He is an Executive Chef Member of Les Toques Blanches (LTB), Victoria charter Australia. He has cooked for some of the most famous Chefs and Royalties. He has also appeared as a Celebrity Chef for the Compagnie Mousquetaires D’Armagnac Escadron De Malaisie, Billanock Wine and Food Society, Doncaster Fine Foods Society. Chef Jeffrey has also been invited as the Guest Chef for the LTB Presidents Annual Dinner at Moonee Valley Race Club for some of the top professional Chefs in Melbourne and their partners, ANZ Private Banking, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur in the presence of HRH the Crown Prince and Princess of Malaysia and the inaugural Alzheimer Australia/Rotary Club of Manningham Charity Dinner at RACV City Club Melbourne.

Jeffrey Tan is internationally recognised as a master-blender of cuisines. His culinary creation has been described as ‘a blend of new and not so new traditional cooking techniques, fresh Australian ingredients/produce and simplicity in its creation and presentation’.
Mr. Jeffrey Tan started his Cooking For Charity Initiative some eight years ago and has raised some A$1,295,815 (as of October 2012) for various Charities including Australian Rotary Foundation Trust, Prostate Cancer of Victoria, Variety Club of Victoria, Spastic Children Centre of Malaysia and Tibetan Disaster Relief Fund and now the Alzheimer Australia. Chairman of IPF Culinary Consultancy Services and International Premier Food Pty Ltd. A recipient of Australian Centenary Medal and two Australian Day Awards (Jagajaga and Menzies)

Melbourne, Victoria


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Leslie Chan

Advisor

BIO

Leslie has been working in the hospitality industry more than 25 years. He has divided his adult life between his native Hong Kong and Australia and his recent work seeks to transgress the traditional boundaries between Eastern and Western cooking.
Leslie initially trained as a chef in Hong Kong and then had various jobs in hotels there, most notably in the world renowned Peninsula Hotel. In order to advance his career he decided to come to Australia to study in 1999.
His interest in the culinary sciences led Leslie to pursue and complete a diploma of hospitality at Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, succeeded by a bachelor degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Latrobe University at Melbourne. Soon after his stint in Australia, Leslie returned to Hong Kong, where he worked at opening team of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in 2004.
On returning to Melbourne permanently, Leslie has worked at such prestigious establishments at the Sofitel Hotel and the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. In 2006 Leslie decided on a career change moving back to Holmesglen TAFE and seeks to pass on the benefits of his eclectic experience to an emerging generation of chefs. Leslie now teaches a range of cookery courses including Asian Cookery, Commercial Cookery, Apprentice and ADF – Australian Defence Force. The enthusiasm that he has displayed in his own cooking can be seen in many of his students. Meanwhile, through his commitment and passion for cooking. He won the 2012 Outstanding Staff Award (Teaching and Educational Excellence) at Holmesglen TAFE. He is also the recipient of several other prestigious International and National awards in culinary competitions and his trophy shelf boasts of Gold Medals from the Australian Culinary Challenge for Four consecutive years – 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Leslie is also constantly engaging with fellow professionals through his involvement in State and National competitions as a competitor, coach and judge. Leslie has also been involved in a number of industry and community festivals and been active in relevant industry associations. Leslie participated in Melbourne Master Cooking Class from 2007-2015, and working with all the top celebrity chefs around the world. He has been elected as a committee member of the Australian Culinary Federation – Victorian Chapter in 2012. In November 2013 Leslie was elected as a position of Vice President. He is also a coach and mentor for students, many of whom have received very successful results.
Leslie now works as a Rational Business Development Manager & Consultant Chef at Comcater.
Recently won three Gold Medals and Most outstanding Chef of the year 2015 at Australian Culinary Challenge at Sydney by taking out medals in the following categories:
1st Place – Bidvest Most Outstanding Chef – Australian Culinary Challenge 2015
Gold Medal – Three Course Modern Australian Menu for One.
Gold Medal – Lamb Main Course Live Challenge
Gold Medal – Dessert Main Course Live Challenge
Silver Medal – Fonterra Foodservice – Battle of the Pacific

Melbourne, Victoria


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Timothy Goh

DEPUTY SECRETARY

BIO

A hard-working, conscientious and motivated individual with a good work ethic who feels proud of what I do and who has the courage to take on difficult challenges. I believe that ‘it’s the people that make a kitchen’ and because of this I always carry out all of my duties to the highest standards possible. I have worked in many kitchens and have acquired experience of various different cuisines.

Melbourne, Victoria

Richardwwarneke@gmail.com