How Essence began...

Bart and Alaine were living in Sydney each doing own their prospective jobs - Bart running restaurants and presenting cooking demonstrations and Alaine directing plays and performing music. Over a good glass of red one night, they brainstormed the concept of creating a setting where guests could come along, enjoy a full dinner, learn how to cook the courses and be entertained through quality music and theatre. After a few more glasses of red, the setting was agreed upon - a stunning kitchen with state-of-the-art fittings that could seat 20 and another lounge area that was warm, cosy and intimate.

Melbourne was chosen as the location being a culturally rich city that is so 'liveable' and going ahead in leaps and bounds. Werribee was chosen as the suburb for two main reasons. One - It is a huge growth area with therefore opportunities for an untapped market of people wanting something different in the West. Two - Alaine grew up there when she first came to Australia and since her whole family have returned to Werribee, Bart and Alaine were keen to be around strong family support.

It was thought initially that the venue would have to be specifically built, until they came across their beautiful Fasham Johnson architecturally-designed home. The kitchen was completely gutted and rebuilt to meet the standards of the studio.

The name 'Essence Food Studio' was born out of the concept of taking food, music and theatre back to its essential elements and to the purest of quality.

The Essence Team

Bart Beek
Bart Beek is one of our most dynamic personalities in the Australian culinary scene. As a chef, presenter, food writer and stylist, he has been involved in the hospitality industry since 1972.

Bart has taught commercial cookery and was trained at the famous Cordon Bleu school in Paris. As a qualified chef, he has worked in some of the finest restaurants in Australia, Hong Kong, USA and France.

After owning and managing various award-winning restaurants in South Australia and Sydney, Bart and his wife Alaine moved to Melbourne, where they created “Essence Food Studio”, an innovative business that blends live music, theatre and culinary instruction.

Located in Wyndham, Victoria, “Essence” has won multiple awards and garnered rave reviews from food and theatre critics alike. In 2009 it was named Wyndham Business of the year.

Bart can be seen at many of the major festivals around Australia (e.g. Sydney Boat Show, Melbourne Boat Show, Chinese New Year, Melbourne) presenting cooking demonstrations to enthralled audiences. He can also be seen on Channel 10’s ‘Escape with ET’ cooking a whole range of beautiful seafood recipes.

Bart is a highly sought after presenter with a wealth of culinary knowledge who presents with great energy, humour and enthusiasm. His passion for cooking with the finest and freshest foods is easily evident and inspirational to all audiences.

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Alaine Beek
Alaine has been involved in music and theatre for over 30 years.

She has performed as a professional vocalist with a number of artists in South Australia, Sydney and Melbourne and brings songs to life through her unique voice and lyrics. She started the band ‘Lighthouse’ in 2003 in Melbourne. Contemporary folk in style, their music reaches and uplifts audiences. They produced their second, all original CD ‘Travelled Road’ in May 2009.

Alaine also has a passion for live theatre. Starting in acting, she eventually turned to writing and directing. Alaine wrote and produced her second play "What Was That?" which has enjoyed weekly performances at the magnificent Werribee Park Mansion since June 2003. Her third play ‘Down to Earth’ opened June 2009. It is performed at Werribee Park historic farm and combining history, mystery and comedy. ‘Down to Earth’ will be another ongoing popular production, performed by Alaine and her team of professional actors, to audiences of all ages.

Alaine holds a Certificate of Catering from William Angliss College and a business degree from RMIT. Together Alaine and Bart use their passions and skills to make Essence Food Studio the unique and outstanding business that it is.

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Lachlan McLeod
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Violin and Kickboard.

Lachlan McLeod is a rare talent. He is a musician who presents dynamic and passionate live performances playing acoustic guitar and violin and kickboard. He is also a gifted singer, songwriter and composer who has mastered the exceptional skill of singing and playing violin simultaneously. As a teenager, McLeod picked up the guitar, bass and piano whilst continuing his viola studies, earning himself the top prize in Australia for 5th grade viola exams at age 14. 1984 saw the release of his first single ‘Very Much like Springtime’ (EMI). Lachlan has toured extensively overseas including India and Japan resulting in three of his singles being performed on high rotation on Japanese radio.

In Jan 2000, Lachlan wrote ‘South Australia It’s My Home’ commissioned by the South Australian Government to be used as a colloquial anthem.

This was performed at Davis Cup Tennis Opening, AFL Port Adelaide/Crows Football match and at the 2000 Olympic soccer game games at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide. His original electric violin piece ‘Twelfth House Door’ was used for Centenary of Federation celebrations in Sydney including a nationwide television broadcast.

After many years of playing and over a decade of experience within the Australian and international music scene, Lachlan has developed a distinctive and strong contemporary folk style. He is original, stimulating and instantly accessible.

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Robert Sedky
Born in 1973, Robert’s musical ability was recognized after winning a scholarship to Cathedral College in East Melbourne. In 1999, Robert obtained a Bachelor of Music from Latrobe University where he focused on composition, arranging and orchestrating.

In 2004, Robert was finalist at the prestigious OZ Music Awards in the instrumental category.

From his studio, Robert has scored many productions including short films, commercials and feature films. His first independent feature film ‘The Red Sense’ was premiered in Melbourne in 2008 and recently he finished scoring his second feature “The Nothing Men”, due for release Australia wide 2009.

He has worked as a session musician for a morning television show – Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton, as well as having worked as a session guitarist with well respected Australian producers including Charles Fisher (Savage Garden) Paul Wiltshire (Backstreet Boys).

He has supported international artists Dionne Warwick, Randy Crawford and just completed a national tour in 2007 and 2008 with Sir Elton John and Australian soul sensation Eran James as his guitarist.

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