Mark Best started by discovering the stoves accidentally and ended up becoming an unquestionable symbol of the new Australian Cuisine. His perseverance and his ‘eternal dissatisfaction’ (as he calls it himself) are the vitamins for his spectacular personal development.
Mark Best started his working life as an electrician in the gold mines of Western Australia before starting his culinary career at the age of 25. He commenced an apprenticeship at the Macleay Street Bistro, Potts Point, in 1990. This was the beginning of his passion for French food. In the fourth year of his apprenticeship he was awarded the Josephine Pignolet Award for ‘Best Up and Coming Chef’ in NSW.
In 1995 with wife Valerie Best, he opened his own restaurant, Peninsula Bistro, Balmain, which soon developed a strong local following and rave critical acclaim. During this time he decided to further his study of French cuisine in France. In 1998 he worked at ‘L’Arpège’ in Paris, ’s three Michelin Star ‘Gastro Temple’. He followed this with a stint at ’s, ‘Le Manoir Aux Quatre Saisons’ in Great Milton, UK. His time overseas fuelled his desire to open Marque, his current restaurant.
- Restaurant of the Year, 2012|Australian Gourmet Traveller
- Restaurant of the Year, 2011 |Sydney Morning Herald ‘Good Food Guide’
- Three Hats and 18/20, 2010 |Sydney Morning Herald ‘Good Food Guide’
- Chef of the Year, 2010 |Sydney Morning Herald ‘Good Food Guide’
- Finalist for ‘Restaurant of the Year’, 2010 |Australian Gourmet Traveller
- Restaurant of the Year, 2010 | Restaurant & Catering Association of Australia
5/355 Crown St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Australia
+61 2 9332 2225
Images © Stuart ScottPhotographer