Pieter Buijsse is a man of many talents. Featuring in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival's top 30 chefs under 30 in Victoria event earlier in the year, as well as working at Three Blue Ducks then Laura at Pt Leo Estate as a senior sous chef up until the end of October 2022, we sat down with him to talk all things apples and stone fruit.
Growing up in the Dutch countryside, Pieter Buijsse started washing dishes in a local two-starred restaurant at the age of just 12.
After working his way up the ranks in multiple three Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Europe, he decided to come to Australia in 2014.
How long have you been in the industry for? All up, I’ve been in hospitality for 16 years, and eight of them in Victoria.
What is your favourite cuisine to cook? Any! I'm inspired by all sorts of cuisines, as long as it's done with great produce and lots of flavour, I'm a fan.
What do you love about working with fresh seasonal fruits? Working with seasonal fruit that is produced locally means you always have the best possible ingredient. In the kitchens I work in quality is always key so having local seasonal fruits is a must for me.
What is your favourite apple and why? It is hard to pick one, different apples serve a different purpose when cooking. However, the envy apple is a great allrounder, I use them for sweet and savoury dishes or just as a snack throughout the day.
What is your favourite flavour combination with apple? The envy™ apple with vanilla and Cointreau. Match made in heaven!
What is your favourite way to enjoy stone fruit? I love stone fruits in loads of different ways but if I had to choose one, I'd go for a poached plum with brandy, star anise and a little balsamic.
What do you love about living in Victoria? Victoria is a chef's dream. The diversity of cuisine is immense, all areas of the world are represented and done proud. The produce we find here is incredible too, with so many passionate growers, fishermen, butchers and farmers around. It is truly a privilege to work closely with all of them.
What’s in store for Pieter Buijsse in 2023? A lot! I am currently working on a new project that I will be willing to share with you all very soon! Many exciting things on the horizon and great food will always be the core of that!
