Nornie Bero at the Ballarat Begonia Festival

Nornie Bero is an Island woman from the Komet Tribe of the Meriam people in the Torres Strait, with over 30 years of experience as a professional chef. Passionate about showcasing native ingredients, she has become a leading figure in the Australian food scene, bringing Indigenous flavors to the forefront of modern cuisine.

You may have come across her recipes in magazines like delicious and Coles. She has appeared as a guest chef on MasterChef and created a recipe for the Maggie Beer Chef Challenge on ABC. Nornie has also travelled internationally, including to the USA and Japan, representing Australia and Indigenous cuisine.

She is a published author and a board member for Farm to My School, an Ambassador for FareShare, an ambassador for Coles, and a 'Friend of Australia' through Tourism Australia. Nornie has been featured on Zac Efron’s Down to Earth, The Cook Up, and as host of Island Echoes. Through her work, she inspires others to explore the richness and versatility of native Australian

Catch Nornie on the Begonia Stage at 12:30pm and 3:00pm Monday 9th March.

Recipe 1: Crocodile Schnizel with Native Slaw

Recipe 2: Coconut Kingfish Namas with yam crisps