Mondells Patisserie is the result of a lifelong dream, hard work and a dedicated passion to being a Pastry Chef. Owned and operated by husband and wife team, Nigel and Katherine Braithwaite.

Anyone who knows Nigel will tell you that he is the most devoted and passionate workaholic that you will ever meet. But, luckily for us the result is an amazing pastry chef, who puts that passion onto your plate.

Nigel has an incredible CV of jobs from around the world. Mostly a 5*Hotel background, his most prestigious role was as the Executive Pastry Chef of The Savoy Hotel in London for 3 years. His other roles were in hotels such as the Langham Hilton Hotel, The Sheraton Park Lane, The Waldorf Hotel, and the infamous Café Royale. He gained training in Paris at L'Enotre, and even represented the UK, in the 1997 Culinary Olympics in Dallas USA.

His humble beginnings as a Pastry Chef were in Barbados as a teenager, and after gaining experience at the glamorous Sandy Lane Resort, he developed a taste for the good life, and headed back to London. (Nigel was born in the UK) Many years of hotel experience later, he headed for a seachange, LITERALLY!!!

This is where he met Katherine, on a cruise ship in the Bahamas.
Katherine is a qualified chef in her own right, though her passion was originally reserved for the 'hot kitchen' . Trained in Country Victoria, Katherine then head for the big smoke (Melbourne) and worked with Iain Hewitson at Tolarnos as an apprentice, then later was involved in the opening of Crown Casino at Southbank. The travel bug then struck and involved some time spent at Hayman Island Resort, the Cruise Lines, then the 5* Conrad Hilton Hotel in London. After marrying, Katherine and Nigel set up home in London for quite a few years, and began building the clan.

However, the better weather beckoned, and Nigel (finally!!) agreed to give Australia a go. Nigel's first role in Australia was in Sydney, with Serge Dansereau at the Bathers Pavilion Restaurant. Here he contributed to Serge's cookbook "The Bathers Pavilion-Menus and Recipes" (a beautiful cookbook you should add to your collection!!!)

After 2 years, "home" was calling Katherine, so the final move back to Melbourne was made. Now after working in Melbourne at The Windsor Hotel, for nearly 3 years, making their afternoon teas spectacular, it is time to branch out alone.
Nigel and Katherine, and their 3 beautiful young kids, Ryan, Charlie and Ebony, hope that you will stay tuned for the next chapter, which is Mondells Patisserie.