About Us
THE STONES
Curtis Stone
An LA-living Melbourne boy, Curtis Stone is the ultimate international multihyphenate – chef-restaurateur-author-media personality-businessman. Classically trained in Europe, a protege to Michelin-starred chef, Marco Pierre White, Curtis opened his first solo restaurant, Maude, in Beverly Hills in 2014. A 2018 refinement, to focus on a seasonal set menu inspired by the world’s leading wine regions, saw Curtis rewarded with a Michelin star of his own.
Luke Stone
Luke Stone is the Managing Owner of Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Gwen represents the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for Luke and his brother, Curtis, to open a business together. It’s perhaps no surprise that the late Los Angeles Times, Jonathan Gold described a rack of wild venison from Gwen Butcher Shop as “one of the most profound things I’ve ever eaten“.
Chris Sheldon
Like Curtis and Luke, Chris Sheldon is Melbourne born and bred.
Chris brings 25 years’ experience as a hospitality professional to CSE, including 15 years in London where he worked for some of the most highly-regarded chefs in the world including Marco Pierre White and restaurateur Sir Terence Conran and, at Bluebird, he worked alongside a young Curtis Stone. At just 26, Chris launched a company in central London, growing the portfolio to three sought-after bar / restaurants.
In 2011, Chris returned home to Melbourne to take on a senior role at Crown Resorts, spending eight years as General Manager-Food & Beverage.
Executive Chef
Travis McAuley
Curtis Stone placed a personal call to invite Travis McAuley to join the team as executive chef after concluding his 13-year tenure with MAdE Establishment in 2020.
Travis is recognised for his culinary innovation and contribution across all four of the Hellenic Republic venues which under his guidance became Melbourne icons. His deep love of food, work ethic and charisma were the ingredients for his success and have cemented his reputation as one of the city’s best.
With international experience in the early days of his career as a chef, Travis was drawn back to his hometown of Melbourne from London by the incredible fresh produce available at its doorstep.
Travis’ philosophy when it comes to cooking is to keep things simple – sourcing the best fresh and flavoursome produce to create classic recipes with a contemporary twist.
Sales Director
Bek Andonovski
With over 25 years of experience, Bek has firmly established herself as a leader in the conception and execution of extraordinary events, earning a reputation as one of Melbourne’s most respected and sought-after figures in the restaurant and event industry. After honing her skills at the prestigious William Angliss Hospitality School, Bek quickly made her mark in the high-end hospitality scene, excelling within the 5-star hotel environment. Her natural flair for creating bespoke, aspirational events, coupled with her innate ability to deliver exceptional service, soon set her apart.
Bek’s talents were recognized early on when she was handpicked by industry giants Gary Mehigan (MasterChef) and Raymond Capaldi to lead sales and events for their renowned restaurant, Fenix. As a key member of the leadership team, she played a pivotal role in transforming Fenix into one of Melbourne’s premier event venues, renowned for its innovative approach and exceptional service standards.
Her career trajectory continued to soar when she was recruited by George Calombaris to join the Made Establishment Group as Group Event Sales Executive. In this role, Bek was instrumental in driving the group’s event and catering portfolios to new heights, curating memorable, high-profile events such as the exclusive Sir Richard Branson Dinner—one of the many career-defining moments that truly showcase her expertise and dedication.
Bek’s passion for exceeding client expectations is unmatched, with her authentic approach and infectious enthusiasm leaving a lasting impact on every project she touches. Her unrivalled professionalism, paired with a deep understanding of the intricacies of high-end event management, has made her an irreplaceable asset to the Melbourne event industry, earning her recognition as a true superstar in her field.