In 2012 Shane Delia exploded. After the launch of his first cookbook and second restaurant in 2011, he was everywhere. He was on every morning television show and every other cooking show around. He was in food magazines, festivals, food events and exhibitions. It was the perfect prelude to his new show that is about to hit our screens on SBS.
‘Shane Delia’s Spice Journey’ is a pilgrimage
to Shane’s homeland Malta, as well as Iran, Lebanon and ancient Persia where he
seeks out the authentic flavors, produce and cuisine of these regions to create
his very own interpretations of the cultures and incredible Middle Eastern dishes.
“I wanted to do something starting in Malta
and follow my descendants through the Middle East. I didn’t think I’d get the chance to do
something like this so it’s going to be great”, Shane explains with excitement. The project has been in the planning for two
years ever since a production company approached him and asked what he would like
to do if he was to have his own show on TV.
It’s easy to see why Shane Delia has become
an ‘overnight’ success. He is clearly
talented in the kitchen and passionate about food and cooking, but he also
oozes a magical, boy like charm and personality with a killer smile to
boot. He holds a generous energy and
when you see him that energy makes you feel like you are instantly one of his
friends. He is a genuine, straight
shooting, no frills kind of guy that bares no bones when it comes to the love
he holds for his family and his culture. He makes absolutely no secret about
that.
“My grandfather, Nenu, is the beating drum
in my heart that inspires me to be the chef, father and leader I need to be
both at home and at Maha.” Shane expresses,
who dedicated his first cookbook ‘Maha –
Middle Eastern Home Cooking’ to Nenu.
The cookbook is a magnificent array of recipes motivated by Shane’s
first restaurant in inner city Melbourne, Maha – named after his wife - that
opened in 2008. “I wanted Maha to be an
expression of my love for my family. I
also wanted to bring together my French culinary training, my pride in my
Maltese heritage and cuisine, and the honest family values taught to me by my
family. This was to be a place where I
could cook food that I was truly proud of, food from my heart that nourished my
soul”.
The success of Maha was almost instant when
five months after opening it was bestowed it’s first honor when being awarded
one Chef’s Hat in ‘The Age Good Food
Guide’ in 2009, an accolade that has been repeated each year since. Maha also won Best New Restaurant award from
the ‘Restaurant and Catering Association of Victoria’ in 2008 and Best
Specialty Cuisine in 2009.
Fellow celebrity chef and friend George
Calombaris says in the forward of Shane’s cookbook that there are some things
one must understand about Shane Delia, “He tells it like it is and wears his
heart on his sleeve. In a world that
makes furniture polish with fresh lemons and lemonade with artificial lemon
extracts, Shane keeps it simple and real, and I love him for it”. George and Shane met as apprentice chefs in
1997 and instantly hit it off. They say
that their friendship isn’t just about food and restaurants – they are like
brothers that argue, shout, laugh and cry.
Through it all they remain strong and united – mates for life.
Growing up in the Western Suburbs of
Melbourne, Shane suffered from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder now referred to
as ADHD) as a child, which was undiagnosed for some period of time. Once diagnosed Shane says his academic life
changed and other options were open to him. However this didn’t stop the
knockers he had to endure. “I was just a
boy from the Western Suburbs who wasn’t meant to achieve anything. I left school when I was young and told I’d
be dead or in jail by the time I was 21.” Clearly this had very little to no bearing on
Shane to follow his passion and his dream to be a chef, something he always
knew he would be, something he felt would gain him respect from his family. The Delia family motto is ‘Fortis et Hospitalis – strength in
hospitality’. This is something
Shane proudly wears tattooed on his arm.
In 2006 Shane started extending his own
branch on the Delia family tree when he married his love, Maha. He attributes Maha to providing a strong base
at home with their two children, daughter Jayda and son Jude, so
that he can focus on what he does. “She
thinks I named the restaurant Maha to suck up to her but it’s really because
I’m proud of our relationship and she is my inspiration” Shane proudly
tells. “My wife and I have similar
backgrounds. Both of our parents came
from overseas, we were not born into money but we both had really happy
upbringings”. Shane holds his Lebanese
in-laws in very high regard claiming that they patiently taught him everything
he knows about Lebanese food and culture.
Shane’s love of food and cooking doesn’t
stop in the kitchen. He has put up his
name to be Ambassador for both the ‘Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation’ and ‘Ozchild’.
"We know
Shane's commitment to food allergies and the quality of care that he takes in
preparing his food at Maha,” Stephen Dabkowski, CEO Ilhan Food Allergy
Foundation explains, “it's been a productive association allowing the
Foundation to increase it's fundraising to support important research into the
causes and possible cure for anaphylaxis." CEO of Ozchild, Tony Pittman
adds, “The passion that he has for food is aligned to his passion for children,
because within his culture food has been the core of extended family meetings,
allowing for contribution, sharing and conviviality. Shane strongly believes in
the strength an extended family can offer children’s growth, development and
security. From his own life experiences, Shane understands the problems that
children face as they grow up and the effects of the youth justice system upon
the lives of the young and vulnerable. His life mission is to help children to
overcome as many adversities as possible”.
Next week my Shane Delia feature story continues and concludes.
Shane Delia’s Spice Journey airs on Thursday May 2nd at 7.30pm on SBS ONE.
Next week my Shane Delia feature story continues and concludes.
Shane Delia’s Spice Journey airs on Thursday May 2nd at 7.30pm on SBS ONE.
