Geoff Scott
Owner & chef – Vinnies Restaurant

I've always had a love of food, a knack for the vegetable garden and a belief in home-grown goodness - all gifts from the upbringing my parents gave me. My early love of food grew into a passion for freshness and flavour, leading me into a cooking career. Cooking has taken me around the world and blessed me with time spent in some of the finest kitchens, receiving training from some of the greatest chefs the culinary world has known.

While dining at Vinnies you may spot influences from my time in Europe. I hope something comes through from the many lessons learnt under the beady eye of Albert Roux, at Le Gavroche. Le Gavroche - what an amazing workplace! 18 chefs all committed to, and competing for, excellence. Or you may even sense the influence of Chez Nico, located in Great Portland Street. In my mind, chef and owner Nico Ladenis is a culinary genius.

There have been many, many influences during my twenty-something years cooking and I have had many insights. However, you can also be assured there is originality in my food and in the Vinnies menu. Hopefully you will find a taste or experience that is unique; unique to the lessons and inspirations of a kiwi upbringing.

When you come in to dine, please say hello if you pass the kitchen. Who knows, we may end up discussing great kitchens of the world, or maybe the mini miracles that made it onto your plate all the way from my family vegetable garden.