Tony Howell

Biography

Western Australian born and bred, Tony Howell discovered his passion for cooking as a bright-eyed 14-year-old while working in a Mexican restaurant to pay for surfboards.

Fast-forward 30 years and in that time Chef Tone, as he is affectionately known, has garnered a reputation as one of Australia’s best chefs.  He has worked in the State’s finest restaurants, cooked alongside the world’s best including Heston Blumenthal, Alex Atala, Rene Redzepi and Sat Bains, he has been flown overseas to cook with Curtis Stone and at hotel openings and private functions. He regularly represents Western Australia and Australia at important international tourism and trade events, most notably as Tourism Australia’s ambassador as the Western Australian face of ‘Restaurant Australia’.

It was during Tony’s 15-year tenure at five-star boutique hotel Cape Lodge in Yallingup, Western Australia, that saw his career flourish. With a daily menu that took advantage of the best produce available, Tony won a legion of fans and received many awards and accolades, most notably Conde Nast Travellers Gold List Best Food Category in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

After a three-year break working in other regional restaurants, Tony returned to Cape Lodge in 2018 as a consultant executive chef where he is today.

Tony’s friendly and outgoing demeanour makes him a favourite with media. He has appeared on numerous television cooking shows, hosted Channel 7’s hit lifestyle program Fresh TV, and as a guest chef on MasterChef Australia 2011. He has appeared in Condé Nast Traveller (USA), Forbes, Gourmet Traveller, The Guardian, Traveller, The Telegraph (UK), The Herald (NZ), Travel + Leisure, Qantas inflight magazine and many more.

Tony’s vision is to spread the word about Western Australia’s exceptional produce, continue working with media and have the flexibility to spend time with his young family.

Tony is passionate about local, sustainable, seasonal produce and his approach to food is uncompromising. His other passions include surfing, motorbike riding, mountain biking, diving, fishing and travelling. Tony lives in Margaret River with wife Sarah and their two sons.