Meet Our People

  • With more than 30 years of professional kitchen experience across Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and international cruise lines, John Santos brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and creativity to his role as Chef de Cuisine at Pialligo Estate. Having initially joined the Estate in 2018, John progressed from Head Chef to Executive Sous Chef, then Executive Chef before returning in 2025 to lead the kitchen as Chef de Cuisine.

    During his earlier time at Pialligo Estate, John led the development of refined, seasonal menus, oversaw large-scale and high-profile events, and played a key role in establishing new dining outlets both on and off the Estate. He also spearheaded the Estate’s acclaimed pop-up dining experiences at Floriade in 2018 and 2019, highlighting his flair for bringing paddock-to-plate dining into dynamic new spaces.

    John’s broader career includes senior positions at some of the region’s most respected venues, including QT Hotel Canberra, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, and SkyCity Auckland. Throughout his journey, he has worked alongside celebrated chefs such as Sean Connolly, Nic Watt, and Peter Gordon, gaining a diverse range of culinary influences that continue to shape his approach today.

    John is recognised for his calm leadership, uncompromising standards, and passion for showcasing quality produce. His return to Pialligo Estate reflects both a homecoming and a continued commitment to excellence—where tradition, innovation, and experience come together on every plate.

  • With 17 years culinary experience, Stefano has carved a niche for himself, blending his Italian heritage with his Brazilian roots to create unforgettable dining experiences.

    Stefano's journey began in his family restaurant in Rio at the age of 15. When he finished his high school he moved to Milan, Italy, where he received his formal training in gastronomy. His career took off in Milan at Noy Concept, and he soon found himself working alongside renowned chefs Sergio and Javier Torres at Eñe in Rio de Janeiro. Stefano's culinary odyssey continued as he moved to Sydney, taking on roles such as head chef at North Bondi Fish under the mentorship of Matt Moran, executive chef at Seta Sydney, and head chef at Gowings at QT Hotel.

    His exceptional skills and dedication were recognized in 2023 when he earned his first Chef Hat from Good Food for his work at Gowings.

    Stefano's cooking philosophy revolves around the principle that "less is more" when it comes to using great produce. He believes in highlighting the natural flavors of ingredients that have been meticulously cared for from farm/sea to table.

  • Pialligo Estate is operated by Anthony Whitehouse, head of Create Catering, who has a long and distinguished history as a restaurateur extending back to the early 90’s in the United Kingdom, where amongst his many achievements, his restaurant, The Hole In The Wall, was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Since coming to Australia with his family in 2011, Anthony was General Manager of Compass Group before opening Create Catering, a company specialising in a diverse range of venue and event catering contracts.

    Continually recognised by the Restaurant & Catering Association, Create Catering has taken out accolades such as Best Venue Caterer, Best Site-Contract Caterer for the Australian Museum in Sydney and Best Informal Restaurant in ACT for Westering at the Lake George Winery. Create Catering currently employs over 250 people at venues such as David Jones and Cricket Victoria. Anthony is also currently the chair for Zoofari, the annual fundraiser gala at Taronga Zoo.