Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, Ben Bertei completed his chef’s apprenticeship aged 19. He then spent time cooking and traveling his way round the UK, Canada and New Zealand before returning to Australia and securing the last position in Longrain Melbourne’s start up team. It is here that he found his passion for Thai food and cooking over charcoal. Learning as much as he could working under Martin Boetz, he then took that knowledge and headed north to sunny Queensland for a head chef position at the Spirit House, Yandina. It was here that his unique way of approaching Thai cuisine developed. Six years later, Bertei became head chef and partner of LONgTIME restaurant where he showed Brisbane his unique style of Thai food.
In 2019, Bertei and his business partners closed the doors of LONgTIME and opened SAMESAME restaurant a stone’s throw away on James Street at the prestigious Calile Hotel precinct. During this time, he also married his partner Vikki and they decided it was time for a change. With its well-established food and wine scene, and family friendly nature, South Australia was a place they had both enjoyed spending time, and so a move to Adelaide ticked all the boxes. He is now on the hunt for the perfect location to open his first solo venture. With the creative freedom to take his food in a new direction, he hopes to bring a sophisticated but casual venue to Adelaide and showcase his unique and exciting Thai cuisine.
