James Cole Bowen, Gibney

James Cole Bowen is a chef whose career has been shaped by trust, creativity and the kitchens that backed him. James had just taken out Best Bar Dining at The Corner Dairy where he was given the reins of the menu by Tom and Sam Hart, when he made the jump to open Gibney as head chef. That win and the strong relationships built at The Corner Dairy set the tone for what came next.But the story had long history before then. James had cooked at Le Rebelle, Lulu La Delizia, and in Melbourne, but it was the time at Amusé that truly shaped the chef he is today, and we’ve loved talking to him about it in the podcast. Now part of the Kailis Group alongside George, Nina and the wider team, James has helped guide Gibney through its opening journey all the way to Restaurant of the Year, and now into its second summer.