about dom

A soul woman chef, Dominique possesses a passion for creative world food, fuelled by her Sicillian heritage and a deep desire to develop innovative cuisine using quality, safe, clean, fresh produce. Dominique has 15 years experience as a Chef and 7 years as Head Chef and business partner in the award winning Mondo Organics restaurant in Brisbane's West End. There's no time that Dominique can recall when she didn't have a passion for cooking. "I can remember being about 3, and making my mum breakfast in bed with cups of coffee using the hot water tap in the bath, because I couldn't reach the one in the kitchen," she says. "I love everything about food - the flavours, the tastes, the textures and how it all comes together in an harmonious symphony." It all stems from her Italian heritage living on her aunt's farm in Palermo, Sicily, and the many years spent travelling and sampling cuisine from around the world.

My involvement with Mondo over the past 7 years, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have developed my skills both personally and professionally, embracing with enthusiasm the daily challenges, goals and opportunities that were put before me. The experience has been invaluable in my continual growth and development as a woman and as a chef.

Dominique's innate enthusiasm and natural teaching abilities allow her to share her knowledge and passion for excellent food and nutrition. Her unique style and a combination of simple, well-developed flavours are paramount in her menu designs, cooking presentations, demonstrations, product promotions, food styling and consulting work. Dominique prides herself on her integrity, professionalism, effectiveness and success in delivering the same high quality product in any given circumstance or situation. She specialises in cooking customised recipes and developing menus for all dietary requirements including specific food allergies, vegan and vegetarian cooking.

In 2007, Dominique commenced a bachelor of Health Science Nutrition to enhance her existing interest in the nutritional, medicinal and health benefits of whole foods. Pure Food Cooking's focus and purpose is to generate an awareness about cooking with an emphasis on natural whole foods and fresh organic produce, to improve health, balance and life vitality.

Her mission for the future is to complete her degree, further her TV career, continue world travel to develop her concepts of creating a series of cooking dvds; producing innovative food books dedicated to conscious cooking, holistic foods, and global awareness of healing our bodies whilst promotional sustainable, happy and healthy lives.

Dominique is also a celebrity chef involved in the dynamic Ready Steady Cook series on Network 10. She has appeared on Lifestyle Food, Great South East, as well as being featured on Food Lover's Guide to Australia and ABC Radio.

"I love the essence of clean, simple whole food cooking. There are still so many flavours that I have yet to explore. It is so wonderful to be a chef and to have available at my fingertips an amazing palette of different flavours and textures to create what I like to call little mouthfuls of flavour explosions." Dominique Rizzo.