Food Rascal is your personalised A-Team that helps make every food experience unforgettable. Boasting a versatile collective of chefs, creatives, entrepreneurs and logistics legends, our expertise is matched only by our no-nonsense approach to making your hospitality project explode with energy.
Working with us is a lifestyle choice; it means passion and professionalism in place of cookie-cutter creative or boring corporate hospitality identities. Led by fearless ex-Merivale Executive Chef and Owner of Sydney’s leading caterer Cook and Waiter David O’Brien, we combine over 20 years industry experience with a drive to shake things up and partner with you to create new dining benchmarks.
So whatever your culinary dream, crazy or cutting-edge, scaled-up or pared back, we’ve got the solution – and the special sauce. We know it. We get it. Hospitality is our life and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
EnquireIt’s a team effort to bring your culinary vision to fruition.
And we have the A-team.
We’ve foraged for the most inspiring hospitality experts around.
David O’Brien
Owner & Creative Director
With a reputation for pushing culinary boundaries and taking catering to new heights, David O’Brien is renowned as one of Australia’s most feted and fearless chefs. His star-studded history includes Executive Chef at Merivale Events and Head Chef (and now owner) at Cook & Waiter, multiple Olympic Games events, movie sets and more.
David doesn’t just cook or cater at the highest level, he redefines the entire culinary experience. Refusing to colour in between the lines, he crafts his unique art and passion across kitchens, venues and events, big or small.
He’s a consultant that listens and cares. And questions. He believes religiously in the power of hospitality in business. It’s this attitude that’s proven so popular with a vast and diverse portfolio of clients on a range of projects including retail, commercial and in house café and catering operations such as the transformation of hospitality at Lendlease to the admired revamp of the Hotel Palisade, all whilst delivering 1000s of events across the country.
Aidan Glynn
Executive Chef
With lashings of experience across a range of culinary spaces, from fine dining and bistro through to high end boutique catering and luxury brands, Aidan Glynn is our chef above the rest. His extensive resume spans Michelin starred and Gordon Ramsay’s Ritz Carlton restaurants in his native Ireland, not to mention some of Australia’s most revered eateries.
Aidan’s keen understanding of everything hospitality, from operations and management through to kitchen design and food presentation has put him in high demand across Australia. A former winner of both Merivale Young Chef and Wedding Caterer of the Year, his clients include Lendlease, Tiffany, Hermes, Magic Millions, Commonwealth Bank and Sydney Writers Festival.
As Executive Chef, Aidan brings his expertise in food operation and restaurant consulting to all our work. He excels under pressure, loves a deadline and a budget. His approach ensures money is well spent, and well saved. He always delivers the desired results at the highest level.
Mali Cutler
General Manager
Mali is a commercially astute leader with a forensic eye for detail and opportunity. She is acclaimed as the best in the business and respected by her peers, clients, team and suppliers. Her calm, pragmatic manner combined with her strategic approach and ability to see the big picture has been integral to the success and growth of our business. Mali understands the importance of relationships and trust to achieve a high performing culture and she leads from the front. She understands business. Every aspect of it. Her ability to balance costs and not compromise product or experience is formidable.
Mali’s experience spans some two decades across nearly every aspect of the hospitality industry. We’re talking venues, catering, hospitality, films, festivals, the Olympics. Her experience includes restaurant, cafes, espresso bars and retail outlets so when we say “ If it can be done, she’s done it”, we really mean it.
She leads the teams as the Group General Manager responsible for both our operational and consultancy brand (Food Rascal) and event catering brand (Cook and Waiter). And we wouldn’t be where we are without her.
The other half of this great couple. For boutique catering and premium experiences, our sister company Cook & Waiter is undeniably Australia’s leading caterer. Curated corporate events, beautifully arranged weddings and private parties are their thing. And they do it exceptionally well.
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