The President of the Industry Professor® Association has great pleasure in presenting this citation to acknowledge
Industry Professor Brad Bennett
Industry Experience: Mr Brad Bennett brings over four decades of rich and diverse experience
in the hospitality industry, spanning operational, managerial, and international education roles.
His journey began at the age of 16 as a kitchen hand with the Myer Emporium in Adelaide,
progressing quickly into roles as a trainee cook and eventually a restaurateur. Brad went on to
own and operate multiple restaurants in Melbourne and held senior hospitality positions in
London and Monaco. His international scope includes several years spent in China, where he
lectured in hotel management and Western cookery at Chengdu University of Technology,
contributing to formal education and vocational training in Asia. Additionally, he implemented
hospitality training programs for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, showcasing his capacity to
operate in high-stakes, globally significant environments. His experience includes both front-line
culinary roles and strategic leadership positions, with a demonstrated ability to manage, train,
and innovate across diverse sectors of the hospitality field.
Industry Endorsement: Brad’s industry leadership has been recognised at both national and
international levels. He was awarded the Ambassador of Taste for the Global Gastronomy Gold
Medal in 2021 and again in 2022, an honour reserved for those who exemplify excellence and
contribute meaningfully to culinary traditions and humanitarian initiatives. Within Australia, he
received the Tourism Training Australia Legends Award and the Chairman’s Training
Excellence Award in 2020, recognising his outstanding service to vocational training. Additional
accolades include the World Master Chefs Society’s Culinary Order of Merit and his induction
as a Disciple of Escoffier, a distinction that connects him to an elite global fraternity of culinary
professionals. These acknowledgements reflect not only technical skill and operational success
but also a broader industry respect for his influence, leadership, and integrity.
Industry Training: As Founder and CEO of Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute in Sydney, Brad
has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to passing on his knowledge through education and
mentoring. His institute was ranked the top culinary training organisation in Oceania in 2023
and is widely celebrated for its culturally diverse, hands-on programs that connect students
directly with industry practice. Brad holds Worldchefs certification as a Culinary Educator and
has used his position to foster a strong training culture within his institution. Through industry
placements, masterclasses, alumni support, and personalised training, he has led the
development of one of Australia’s most respected hospitality learning environments. His
philosophy—“We don’t train you to be average, we inspire you to be awesome”—is embedded
in every facet of the institute’s approach. Brad’s training leadership extends internationally
through his contributions to the Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam and his
participation in global industry forums, ensuring his influence continues to shape the future of
the profession.
Brad Bennett is hereby awarded the title of Industry Professor in Culinary Expertise.
- About the Author
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As CEO of Industry Professor Association, I have a passion for education and learning that leads towards a productive outcome for Industry. The Industry Professor Association is a non-profit organisation that recognises industry expertise and experience and helps members gain the ultimate recognition of their Industry career. We also help organise their industry expertise by converting it into digital learning products and sharing it with a learner hungry world.
As a previous Head of School – Southbank Institute of Technology, it gave me great insight into educational design, corporate client learning needs, government policy and strategies. My goal was to meet the needs of industry in regards to providing graduates who were highly trained in practical skills and employability skills. Whilst meeting the learning style of a generation that is highly engaging with communication channels, and immersed in collaboration to gain learning at their time, place and pace.