Perfect Simple

Simon Bajada is an internationally acclaimed chef, photographer and food stylist. Originally from Melbourne, he now lives in Sweden with his Scandinavian wife and two sons. Simon met his wife while working in a kitchen in Stockholm, and his interest in the food of her homeland grew form there. He got a sense of the produce used and the balance of flavours – a long time before contemporary Nordic cuisine was understood by the international culinary community as it is today. He says he has found parallels in new Nordic and contemporary Australian food. While the taste differs due to ingredients, the idea of balance, technique and produce is mirrored in both cultures. While new Nordic cuisine seems only to use Northern European ingredients, Simon says that this is changing, slowly incorporating bits and pieces from all over the world. Perfect Simpleis about exploring the results of that process – looking at how an isolated food culture is developing international flare. Simon's first book, The New Nordic, was published in April 2015. He says he is inspired by the newness in thinking of Nordic chefs because it's easier for them to break the rules than say an Italian or French chef – as they are not restricted by the idea of "how it is meant to be".