Max Sharrad is co-owner and Executive Chef of Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room and Nido Bar & Pasta in Adelaide. He grew up in the Western Suburbs of Adelaide and has lived there ever since. Half Italian and Half Australian, both sides of the family were avid cooks and Sundays were spent at either the Grandparents or at the Nonni’s house.

Food has always been the centre point of any family gathering and it is these fond memories that he associates with food that made him decide to dedicate his life to the kitchen.

Max has extensive experience at esteemed restaurants including Restaurant Orana (3 hats), Noma (3 Michelin Stars, San Pellegrino no1 Restaurant in the world), L’Enclume (3 Michelin Stars), Amass (San Pellegrino World’s top 100 list) and Shobosho (1 hat).

He took out the honour of Australian Young Chef in 2018 (Appetite for Excellence Awards).

These restaurants have influenced Max’s attention to detail, technique-driven cooking and sharply-run kitchens whilst giving him the perspective that a meal does not have to last four hours or more to be memorable.

Despite his roots being in fine dining, Max has a passion for pasta and simple food, made with extraordinary ingredients at the peak of their season.

He shares his love of food with his wife Laura, who is a well-known cook in her own right, after appearing on MasterChef twice, both times coming runner-up. Laura also helps run the venues on the front-of-house side of things, making sure the kitchen and wait staff run as smoothly as each other.