Chef’s Corner with Franca’s Ristorante Executive Chef, John Hornsey

Get to know the hands and minds behind your favourite dishes.

Welcome to Chefs Corner, where we take you behind-the-scenes into the kitchen of a renowned hospitality establishment in regional Victoria. From exploring flavours to discovering seasonal delights, and unpacking food memories, this is all about dishes and the creators behind them.

A fresh food fixture on the Geelong waterfront, Franca’s Ristorante is led by a global food guru with John Hornsey at the helm. Hornsey takes us into his kitchen at Franca’s and at home to discuss his culinary creations and inspirations.

Keep up to date with the latest in food and drinks across regional Victoria here.

Five Minutes with Franca’s Ristorante Executive Chef, John Hornsey.

 

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What are you cooking with at the moment?

Right now, I’m loving Western Plains Pork; an incredible quality product right on our doorstep. I use the pork belly to make the porchetta at Franca’s, and our friends at Salt Kitchen in Ballarat use the same pigs to make the guanciale we use in our spaghetti carbonara.

Where is your favourite culinary destination?

Cornwall in the UK. You’ve got Cornish pasties, scones with clotted cream, fish and chips by the sea, Rick Stein, and some of the best restaurants the UK has to offer.

What is your favourite food memory?

Cooking steak with my son for the first time for his mum’s birthday dinner.

 

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In your opinion, what makes a dish great?

Respect. If you respect the product from the moment you receive it through preparation, creation, cooking, and finally balancing it with the right harmony of ingredients, texture, and flavour, you’ll create a great dish.

Who’s currently killing it in the hospitality scene?

Graham Jefferies and the team at Samesyn 2.0 in Torquay. The food is delicious, they minimise waste, and they give back to the community. It’s a fantastic concept and a great experience, I’m looking forward to going again.

What dish is always on your dinner rotation at home?

Big Mac tacos with homemade chips. My wife saw them on Instagram last year and asked me to try making them, and they’ve been in the weekly rotation ever since. They’re simple, cost-effective, healthy, and the kids love them.

 

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What are you doing when you’re not cooking?

I love spending time with my wife Steph and our two children, running, and watching my soccer team, Liverpool.

To try John Hornsey’s delicious creations yourself and to explore the Franca’s Ristorante menu, head here.