Introducing...

My name is Jonny Schwass and even though this site isn't all about me, I thought I had better fill you in on my food background.

I have worked in the hospitality industry for the past 18 years. I am the current captain of the New Zealand Culinary Team who recently won gold and bronze medals in the FHA Culinary Challenge in Singapore. As a team, we have recently returned from the NRA Hotel Show in Chicago, Americas largest restaurant event, where we received three bronze medals.

I have spent the past two winters as a private chef for a family in the United States. I have competed successfully in many local and national competitions and love the challenge of competition cooking.

Locally I have cooked at the Sign of the Takahe, Cookin with Gas and Barcelona. During my career I have been lucky enough to meet Jamie Oliver, cook for Gordon Ramsey and cook alongside Peter Gordon.

In June of 2000, I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and spent the next year on a heavy treatment of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This time was a real awakening for me and developed me into the person I am today. It was also at this time that I met my future bride. I hate to say but cancer was the best thing to happen to me. It made me realise that we only have one life to live, so get busy living!

After my treatment, I left New Zealand and lived and cooked in Melbourne for two years. Brief stints in hotels confirmed my dislike for their draconian food philosophies and I settled back into restaurants. Melbourne has a food culture that New Zealand should envy, centred around the Victoria Markets. Great, fresh, seasonal produce everyday but Wednesday. The sooner Christchurch gets a central city market, the better. That's just my thoughts.

Next challenge is Restaurant Schwass, my very own restaurant. We hope to offer a true restaurant unlike any other in Christchurch. For more on Restaurant Schwass, check the link.