Welcoming Matt Hemming to Kitchen Farm.

We are thrilled to announce that Matt Hemming has officially joined the Kitchen Farm team as our new Head Chef.

After nearly 13 incredible years at The Barker Hotel, Matt is stepping into a new chapter with us. For him, The Barker was far more than a workplace, it was a place of personal and professional growth, where memories were made, local ingredients celebrated, and meaningful food shared. It was where he built friendships, met his wife, and honed a cooking style rooted in warmth and connection.

Now, he brings that same passion and soul to Kitchen Farm.

And here at Kitchen Farm, we’re not trying to reinvent ourselves - just thoughtfully growing. With Matt’s guidance, we’ll continue doing what we love, while adding a new layer of refinement. Matt’s cooking is inspired by the seasons, simplicity, and a deep respect for provenance - shaped by early days in the kitchen with his dad, travel, and the ethos of paddock to plate. His food style is wholesome, honest, and driven by connection - both to people and place.

Importantly, Maony Belleau, our much-loved former Head Chef, remains an integral part of the team. At her own choosing, she’s moved into the Sous Chef role, where she continues to shape the heart of our seasonal, produce led menu, and now has more space to explore new creative pathways within the Kitchen Farm experience.

Together, Matt and Maony will collaborate closely, pushing the boundaries of what a Kitchen Farm meal can be. They’ll honour the unique flavours Maony has brought to our menu, champion our local ingredients and slowly introduce a refined touch that nudges our venue from “café” to a true lunch destination.

We’re also excited to see Maony bring her creative flair to new spaces, including private dining, cooking demonstrations, market appearances, and of course, more of her signature pickles, chillies, and ferments.

We feel incredibly fortunate to grow our team with someone as experienced, grounded and value led as Matt. His leadership, creativity, and love of seasonal produce aligns beautifully with our mission to create a warm, welcoming, and delicious space for the community.

Welcome to Kitchen Farm, Matt - we’re so glad you’re here.