CHEF MARK OLIVE

THE BLACK OLIVE - Special appearance at Giiyong festival

Mark Olive, aka ‘The Black Olive’, has been a Chef for over 30 years and has become a well-known Australian icon with his charismatic style and creative approach to food. Mark’s passion for fusing native food and culture with contemporary lifestyle cooking has led to an international profile specialising in gourmet Australian Indigenous Cuisine. He created and starred in his own television series ‘The Outback Cafe’ which can still be seen internationally, as a host on SBS “A Chef’s Line”, “On Country Kitchen”, “Good Cooks” and a various other cooking, lifestyle and travel shows nationally and globally.

As a Bundjalung Man, Mark’s family originated from the Northern Rivers region in NSW. Born in Wollongong, on Australia's south coast, he became interested in cooking as a child, watching his mother and aunts prepare meals. It fascinated him. He trained under a European chef and has worked in a number of kitchens around the globe.

Well known for his unexpected way, Mark's unique style and passion for cooking with a variety of ingredients, some found in our own back yard, and combining both protein and plant foods is a desired brand. This paired with his charismatic nature and no fuss narration has held him in high demand.

Cooking/Demonstrating regularly for clients such as Tourism Australia, large corporates, along with public and cultural events around the country and the world. As part of Oprah’s Ultimate Audience, her lucky guests were treated to a cultural experience of indigenous food, art and storytelling during Mark’s infamous cooking demonstration. Since then, Mark has entertained a host of dignitaries and varied audiences around the world bringing his signature combinations of contemporary outback flavours to every occasion.

Mark studied at Victorian School of Arts which led to Directing his own short film titled "Passing Through", exploring issues of identity, culture and family.

A Storyteller by nature, with a love of Music, Food and People suggests ‘The Back Olive’ as your perfect host.

A wonderful teacher and leader to many not just within his cultural background.

He is respected amongst the Indigenous community and has received invitations to Australia's most

remote regions. Passionate about the land and all that grows from it, he is an expert in Native Fauna and the food and medicinal purpose produced from them.

In 2019 Mark collaborated with Peters for their Connoisseur Gourmet range of Ice creams, proving exceptional sales and rave reviews.

Along with a limited POP UP Restaurant on the NSW South Coast and due to popular demand Mark recently opened a Café, Dapbeto’s Midden (translated to Dapto Kitchen).