What made you want
to become a chef?
ELVIS I wasn’t sure what else to do with
my life and have always loved cooking.
Also, I love eating, it’s something you have
to do everyday of your life.
BEN I was going to get kicked out of
school so when I got an opportunity in a
kitchen I took it and loved it.
What do you love most
about cooking for people?
ELVIS There’s a real satisfaction in seeing
how much people enjoy what you’ve made.
When it comes to cooking for
groups, like at a wedding, what do
you think makes a good menu?
BEN You have to have food that appeals to
a variety of people. It depends so much on
the group but we really like our style of
dining at Porteño, where it’s all shared
dining. It seems more in the spirit of a
celebration than alternative serve dining.
Porteño chefs Elvis Abrahanowicz and Ben Milgate
talk food, passion and what makes a wedding at their
rock ‘n’ roll restaurant a unique affair
fire of love
What makes a wedding
at Porteño unique?
BEN We aren’t like any other venue, it’s such
a unique space with the bar and restaurant.
The food and service is restaurant quality, not
like a function centre, and we are a family run
business so we like to make ourselves
flexible so the couple’s wedding suits them.
ELVIS I married my wife Sarah at Porteño,
about three months after we opened, and
to this day people say it was the best
wedding they have ever been to. We know
how to have fun and be professional at the
same time.What’s your go-to comfort food?
ELVIS My parents’ cooking; I love my
mum’s pasta and my dad’s Parilla (BBQ).
BEN Can’t go past meat and three veg.Do you have a favourite dish,
or style of cooking?
BEN Most definitely cooking with fire, you
are always learning.What are your rules for
a successful dinner party?
ELVIS Good food, music, booze and
company. Be ready and prepared ahead of
time so you don’t spend your whole time in
the kitchen.Can you tell us your ‘ Top Five Items
Every Kitchen Should Have’?
ELVIS Extra virgin olive oil, salt, citrus
or vinegar, a sharp knife and a passion
for cookin’.Recipes for a Good Time by Ben
Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz
(Murdoch Books), $59.99.
See murdochbooks.com.auCOMPILED BY: FAITH CAMPBELL. PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF MURDOCH BOOKS284 | bridetobe.com.auENTERTAINING