Tracey Lister

Tracey Lister is a chef, cookbook author and owner of Melbourne cookery school, Brunswick Kitchen. With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, both in Australia and Vietnam, Lister has carved out a career whereby she shares her wealth of knowledge and specialised skill set to inspire and educate her students.
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​Born and raised in Melbourne, Lister’s journey in food and hospitality commenced working under the tutelage of some of the city's top hospitality talent; including Annie Smithers, who was her head chef at Kayes on King, as well as the infamous O’Donnell family at the beloved North Fitzroy Star. After 15 years on the Melbourne dining scene, Lister was always drawn towards the vibrant and colourful fragrances and flavours of Vietnamese cuisine, and in 2000 she moved to the country’s capital city, Hanoi. Here, she became Founding Chef and Trainer for a not-for-profit social enterprise, KOTO (Know One, Teach One), empowering disadvantaged youth through vocational training in hospitality. KOTO not only transformed the lives of many young Vietnamese people, but also deepened Lister’s knowledge, understanding and appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine.
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​In 2008, Lister’s went on to open the Hanoi Cooking Centre, a cooking school and café on the fringes of Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter. For over a decade, Hanoi Cooking Centre became a must-visit for food enthusiasts, locals and travellers alike, offering cooking classes and culinary tours showcasing the rich tradition of Vietnamese cuisine. In 2010, Lister’s work in the community was recognised by the capital city and she was appointed Executive Chef of Vietnam’s state banquet, which celebrated 1,000 years of Hanoi for 900 dignitaries.
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​Returning to Melbourne in 2019, Lister opened the beloved Brunswick Kitchen to teach and share her skills, knowledge and stories accumulated from her time in Melbourne’s best kitchens and Vietnam. The intimate space, accommodating 12, offers a range of classes that cover cuisine from all corners of the globe and also hosts guest chefs from some of Melbourne’s most loved venues to share their expertise, connecting the community with culinary excellence and cuisine from around the world. ​
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​Today, Lister splits her time between Melbourne and Vietnam, running the Brunswick Kitchen cooking classes alongside her bi-annual Food and Fabric Tour, which hosts up to 12 guests on a journey through Northern Vietnam, exploring the rich culture and history of the place Lister once called home. Over eight days Lister shares her insights into the region's culinary and textile traditions through visiting market stalls, restaurants, artisans and more. Over the years, Lister has hosted chef royalty including Michele Roux Jr of 2* Le Gavroche (UK), multi michelin-starred Gordan Ramsey OBE, and Eric Ripert of 3* Le Bernardin (NYC).
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​In addition, Lister is a published author and co-wrote four Hardie Grant cookbooks on Vietnamese cuisine with her husband: KOTO: A Culinary Journey Through Vietnam (2008), Vietnamese Street Food (2011), Real Vietnamese Cooking (2014) and Made in Vietnam (2017).

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Notes to Editors: ​
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​Brunswick Kitchen media image gallery link: via Google Drive
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​About Brunswick Kitchen
​Brunswick Kitchen promotes a shared table to connect people and share culinary knowledge, cuisine history and cultural traditions through chef-led cooking classes, emphasising fresh local ingredients and community connection. Brunswick Kitchen also stocks Tracey Lister’s cookbooks, kitchen accessories and ethically made products. ​
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​Kids' cooking classes are also available as an interactive and safe way for children to learn basic skills, experiment with new foods, and get creative in the kitchen.
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​Bookings for cooking classes can be made via the Brunswick Kitchen website, and prices start at $40 for kids' classes and $140 for all other classes.
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​Bookings for private and corporate cooking classes can be made via online inquiry.
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​Website: brunswickkitchen.com.au
​Instagram: @brunswickkitchen
​Facebook: @brunswickkitchen
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​About Vietnam Food and Fabric Tours
​Brunswick Kitchen’s Food and Fabric Tours of Vietnam, led by Brunswick Kitchen Chef and Owner, Tracey Lister and Future Traditions Owner Cynthia Mann, offer an immersive exploration of Northern Vietnam’s culinary and textile traditions. The experience includes street food tours, cooking classes, workshops with local artisans, community market visits, private gallery tours and more, providing an opportunity to connect with the rich culture, flavours and craftsmanship of Vietnam.
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​About Cookbooks

For media enquiry, please contact: ​
​Georgia Heathcote | Reymond Communications
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​E: georgia@reymond.com.au | M: +61 (0) 497 199 842 ​