33, Fitness Studio Manager, VIC

Growing up in Galway, Ireland, Phil Conway has fond memories of cooking with his nan in the kitchen and making her famous apple tarts. Both his nan and mum have a special place in his heart as strong female role models.

Phil’s move to Melbourne 12 years ago sparked his interest in food and he loves eating out regularly with his wife whose Italian heritage provides the pair a deep affinity with the country and cuisine.

Having worked hard to lose weight in his 20s, Phil became passionate about fitness and extended this into a career as a Fitness Studio Manager and Fitness Instructor. When Phil was unable to train clients during the pandemic, he spent a great deal of time cooking instead, reigniting a passion for being in the kitchen and giving him clarity about the direction in which he hopes to steer his life.

In 2022 Phil took leave to spend a month in the Veneto wine region in Italy for wine harvest, and learnt traditional recipes from locals, making pasta and sauces from scratch. Dedicated to wine and wine education, Phil has also spent time with winemakers in Burgundy and Bordeaux in France, and Napa and Sonoma in the USA.

In the future, Phil would love to explore his love for both good food and good wine, with the dream of opening his own wine bar, focused on French and Italian fare.

Regularly hosting dinner parties, Phil often cooks all weekend, usually with a focus on proteins, beautiful vegetables and sauces. Counting Gordon Ramsay, Peter Gilmore, Daniel Humm and MasterChef Australia alumni Pete Campbell amongst his food idols, a meal at Humm’s Eleven Madison Park restaurant in New York remaining Phil’s most memorable, proving the transformative power of dining.

Highly competitive by nature, expect to see Phil bring his A-game to the kitchen. He believes that hard work trumps all, and plans to take on the judges’ feedback, while having fun along the way.