Outback Chefs: The gourmet chefs turned station cooks | Wide Open Spaces #6 | ABC Australia

A couple of retired fine-dining chefs fulfill their long-held dream to cook for the hungry crew of an outback cattle station. But for staff used to plenty of plain food, there might be a few changes needed to the menu. Landline’s Pip Courtney filed this report in 2018.
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[@Lonewolfmike]

This station hit the LOTTERY with this couple. It isn't too often you get two people who know so much about cooking and can do so much for the people at the station.

[@gatherukinguru3829]

Truly

[@sami6393]

Too nice for those owners

[@4D2M0T]

Yeah I bet they miss them, the chefs helped them refine their palette and now they have to go back to mediocre tucker, it all looked so delicious 😋

[@indiana146]

Great folk regards adie uk

[@jody-annesullivan4547]

What a fantastic couple, and I imagine a blessing to the station family! I am watching this 2 years later.

[@ppastrana1672]

Wow I really love that.

[@usamabashir2271]

Kudos to ABC Australia, it's refreshing to see such humble and truly genuine people in these troubling times.

[@christhong7421]

I didn't realise you could tell 'good people' simply from the sound of their voice. Her voice is so soothing and sincere.... You just want to hug her and love her.

[@John-kl3ue]

What a brilliant couple of older people.Absolute legends

[@KalaFull]

As soon as I heard "it's not just cooking it's looking after a group of people, a family" I knew they were in good hands, you'll never have to work a day in your life living by those kind of words.

[@yvonneost12]

That station owner scored a winning pair with these cooks .I hope they pay them well . They are " solid gold " .

[@stephenslideways9690]

They look so happy together, wish the couple all the best.

[@deltavee2]

Retired, doing a job they obviously enjoy and still walking hand in hand.

[@annsutherland7286]

Hats of to this couple. I worked as cook and general hand on a cattle station in Queensland 20 years ago (in my 50’s) and loved every minute of it, including frogs in the toilet.

[@petalgirl9960]

This ladies speech/accent is so crisp and glorious. Wow.

[@consciousbeing1188]

Our cattle and sheep stations are the heart and soul of the country... What better compliment than for this one to have two amazing salt-of-the-earth chefs. Great story!

[@polljones8921]

Oh bless her. See-yah-bah-ta bread. Cha-bar-ta

[@nickinportland]

I love Australians they are basically Texans like me. Love the bush, talk funny, farm stuff. What’s not to like!

[@johnwest194]

give the couple of chefs their own show as they were precious!

[@southo69]

Beautiful and heartwarming - both from the Chef's Point of view, but also the station owners and staff who have been able to experience top quality food.

[@trevorhart545]

From UK. ABC, great, shows us all that there is life after the government says you are too old. One of my Uncles used to be an engineer on Oil Tankers from Nigeria to the UK. They had a chef called Brian Turner from Yorkshire, late 60s/70, and he created a different dish for each meal throughout the journey, never repeated a dish. UK Brian Turner, in his 70s is still an amazing chef, though haven't seen him on TV for a year now.

[@Mububban23]

If an older workers wants to work, they either A) really need the money, or B) don't need the money but love what they do. Either of those is a good motivator to work hard and do a job well. So if you've gone through lots of younger workers who haven't worked out, give an older worker a go.

[@Biloxiblues77]

A combination of experience, passion and true partnership. Unbeatable!

[@margo8956]

What a lovely couple, living life to the full. Could learn so much from them. Great story.

[@paulreynolds9003]

Wow. I’ve just turned 60 and kind of thought my days of been able to work abroad are well over because who would want someone my age. But it just goes to show you people of all ages still have value.

[@sdbplumbing5595]

White sauce with corned beef is the best

[@misterwizz5690]

What an amazing couple, total respect!

[@gthreesix]

That is definitely the best bang for your buck, true old school cook that have traveled the world and controls every single aspect including growing and butchering!

[@kerlyn3582]

Such a simple story but so beautiful...what an inspiration the couple was ... my favourite part - watching the 'pied piper' chicken run, those chickens running after the truck was so classic - WONDERFUL video

[@abcaustralia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@santillbrezon2161]

These two people are wonderful, top quality chefs.

[@charlesdickens6706]

Forget Ramsey , a TV series could have been made involving this theme and more considering all the characters on the he station from different backgrounds. Different situations for each episode along the lines of MASH series - a melange of MASH, Ramsey n Big Brother. At least I hope a couple of station hands did a brief apprenticeship to em before departure .

[@relaxbodymind8229]

The station owner and staff are so lucky to have these couples who cook quality food for them

[@enja001]

This couple are awesome, bet the meals are the highlight of the day

[@halfabee]

It is good being a chef with unlimited budget. With all that beef around. My son is currently a cook on a fishing vessel in the Atlantic.

[@jeevesponzi5257]

I guess your son has an unlimited budget For fish?

[@JustAThought155]

The couple are in their mid-70s and working those hours and producing meals like that??? Wow! Gratitude extended to them on all levels. The workers are too young to truly understand what they are witnessing. You don’t find two people like that too often. I’d try and eat everything they prepared, probably. They are gourmet.❤️

[@cameraman655]

Much love from Texas! Queenslanders and Texans are siblings separated by 9,000 miles/14,000 km. I lived in QLD (Brizzie) for a year and a half but always felt more at home the towns much further west, so much like West Texas and the Hill Country.

[@howgoodisit]

Man i hope im that happy in my relationship when im your age. You guys are killing it! your motivation and drive for life is admirable.

[@kaze987]

I wonder what happened to this couple, since this was filmed in 2018. Lovely souls inside and out, and certainly legends on this station.

[@shortymcfox2251]

What a lovely couple and how lucky the working family was to have them. It’s nice to see how grateful they were for each other.

[@robinlecomte1242]

I am surprised that the Station Owners, did not encourage some of their staff to enter the kitchen and work with the "Chef's", to learn what /how/when to prepare meals, serve etc, on the basis, that one or both could be away from the kitchen. I hope the Owners & staff appreciated the work and presentation, because if they lose these 2, the will have difficulty in replacing them with like.

[@---Blue]

Do you even know how much work comes into running an Australian cattle station mate

[@RobNMelbourne]

@Robin Le Comte - A rather naive comment. The station is twice the size of Luxemburg. Staff do not have spare time, they are each there for a specialist job and need their own time off. They could be spread anywhere over the 5000 sq klm that the property covers. Who on the staff do you think would have spare time to learn the catering function as well? Finally, if you actually listened, you would have heard that they were on a 6 month contract and were about to leave.

[@cravenmoorecock5267]

No idea! Lolz

[@LadyGreyAgeingDisGracefully]

It isn’t about just learning a few recipes. Well trained experienced cooks/chefs has spent a years honing their talents. Can’t learn a few recipes and replace these two.

[@nigelmorgan3449]

I’ve watched this many times I would say this is one of the best ABC Land line has done Thank you for sharing

[@lima105able]

Feeding & serving is the supreme service. Respect to the couple.

[@Bigbaymonstermare]

I loved every single second of this video. But two questions remain - why did they only take the posting for 6 months and where are they now so I can put my order in?

[@sharonlanteri2537]

❤❤❤❤Oh my goodness, their energy and work ethic is putting me to shame. Never again will i complain there arnt enough hours in the day. Good on them.👏👏👏👏🥰🥰🥰

[@billythekid8333]

These two remind me of my grandparents. Amazing. Amongst everything else, gravy should only come from one place, and that’s the beast in question

[@Automedon2]

How awesome to have a life partner to work beside every day. They are certainly doing it right.

[@johnnunn8688]

What a wonderful pair. The Station will be super-lucky to find a replacement.

[@askarindarto664]

worked for a cattle station down in WA few years back and that was one of the loveliest moment of my life. God i miss Australia

[@slaktriffid]

It shows you are never too old....:)

[@skonenblades]

First I've heard of 'afternoon smoko.' I love it.

[@seanpereira6961]

This is an amazing story, thank you ABC

[@skar5541]

Gotta be the best outback cooks out there. Big respect and much love ✌️❤️

[@costernocht]

What a lovely couple. And thank G_d I watched this on a full stomach!

[@1Molehill]

In a world of such negative attitudes. This is such a lovely, gentle story. Made me smile whilst watching it

[@rheffner3]

I hope this couple is paid well. Holy moly, how lucky you are to have them.

[@shanechostetler9997]

What a blessing to have people who truly enjoy their jobs!

[@banksiasong]

Delightful and talented chefs. Was very surprised by plainness of the five choices for last orders at the end. Happy travels and good health to them both.

[@chapmansbg]

Seeyabatta bread hahaha, cha ba ta

[@1974nellyoz]

:)

[@joygreig7768]

Thanks for that, I didn’t know what she was talking about 😂😂😂

[@trooperdgb9722]

What a classic, open Aussie country girl.

[@juzaus300]

Awesome. I'm a butcher and would like to work on a station doing anything for a while

This was a wonderful documentary! What a lovely couple with awesome food skills. I love it that they spend quality time together. Even the animals love them!

[@lesliedevlin8501]

Best show on tv thanks land line 👍🖖🖖

[@miriam2909]

I like to see them go into teaching. Training other couples to do the same . So much to be learnt from them and Australia will benefit!

[@nigelmorgan3449]

To the ABC this is one of your best shows I’ve watched it many times always enjoy landline

[@best7best711]

Those rump steaks look incredible 😍

[@jamesmok4426]

Simply amazing to have such good chefs who both like jack of all trades. Wishing them both happiness & pink of health.

[@lesfox2010]

Love Landline, so many great stories. A real icon.

[@MrDhandley]

Good tucka! 😋 I’ve just had dinner and I’m hungry again watching this!!

[@indiana146]

As you aussies say it looks good tucker regards aidie a pom God bless you all

[@bh2861]

what a beautiful couple. So lucky to have them helping you :)

[@merledoughty5787]

Good on you two while you are able do it, what an adventure hard work but again that is what keeps you young

[@melissaroscher1080]

I'm in Kansas, wheat and ranching. And I never want that couple to quit.

[@grahamlwilson]

What a terrific story. Loved it.

[@isabellecompton]

I loved this story !

[@peterthornton8254]

Very professional and charming couple. The gravy alone made properly is testimony to their common sense and respect for tradition. As for their ability to adopt and adapt, once again excellent. Food is often fetishised nowadays despite many offerings being chemically-laden scoff in the name of convenience. The Steffen's and graziers Anita and Campbell are demonstrating what can be done with a bit of dedication.

[@pete_bluscorp7718]

Great story, everyone looks very happy.

[@jeffreywerner6574]

Beautiful story..What a great couple and the station owners so humble.i love our country..

[@jaredsharpe5576]

need more ppl like this in the world such a good old cpl

[@rhys5567]

Lovely story. All of them gems.

[@christopherdale7017]

These are the stories I like rural property Australia seeing people coming from Another part of the world and giving it ago especially this couple at their age with their experience for what they do and great to see the station owners and their workers and kids show their appreciation towards the couple that feed them it's given to me a goal of doing this one day with the right women.

[@michaelgarland6468]

I grew up on remote places, my dad owned two, shearing time was the best couple of weeks of my life, got a bit of a change although I still love the staples!

[@PS-Straya_M8]

Amazing work ethic I wish the very best for this lovely couple! 😁

[@pauldefazio3480]

When you take pride in your work you turn out a good product

[@ront2424]

What a fantastic story and a beautiful couple.

[@bradsvidsetc]

Great people. Top story

[@MrMccurley]

A good cook is worth their weight in gold, ANYWHERE...

[@mentalasylumescapee6389]

except jail cooks.

[@beachobsession29]

The food looks amazing. There lucky to have such good cooks. Retirement is only a number. I hope i can still cook like this in my 70's. Im only 40 now.

[@matthewrinehart2367]

Fusion cooking broadens our palate. Cooks learning from the indigenous people and also adapting recipes from home using available ingredients have made the world of cooking a more interesting and enjoyable place. I so loved Anthony Bourdain's take on regional cuisine.

[@Automedon2]

Exotic and unusual food is ok once in a while, but on a daily basis, I like basic foods. Give me a beef gravy over a reduction any day.

[@gregknight293]

Very interesting the daily life of those living and working on a cattle station in Australia. Especially like the cooking and feeding of the hands there.

[@clubsport9334]

Having all that beautiful beef to work with and eat. Epic. Fantastic attitude and solid workers. That's some big hours for any chef let alone a semi retired couple. Super impressive.

[@lukeduke3001]

what lovely people

[@jwdickinson643]

what a lovely couple! how better to share love & friendship than by delicious food!

[@ciarankelly4338]

These guys know their cooking!

[@jackmehoff1840]

This cattle station struck gold with these 2 cooks

[@pattiwhite9575]

That couple are gold. The station will never realize what they are missing.

[@StrongFlatWhite]

Amazing couple!! A lifetime of skill put to valuable and much appreciated use. Well done!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@indiana146]

Bloody hell im hungry now They couple are amazing

[@markhall7136]

Station owner and staffs pallete is amazing 🤪 what you mean you put mint in my peas 😀

[@jesahnorrin]

I wish I could clone this couple and have them cook for me. They are absolutely magnificent.

[@tomkitchen2764]

They really are an amazing, dedicated couple.

[@kenbrown5449]

It takes a special kind of person to take on that kind of responsibility, whether it be on a huge AU spread or a northern Canadian lodge.

[@crescentwing568]

Wow amazing couple il tell you how hard to get qualified chefs out to these places I hope they recognise and appreciated which I think they are....well done chefs

[@fredfrond6148]

I hope they are being paid well. Working everyday 4 am to 8 pm 7 days a week. Growing vegetables, making sausages, making stock for soup, making Vietnamese pho soup…. My god.

[@howgoodisit]

Thats probably why they only worked 6 months... pay to live the rest of their lives happily.

[@trooperdgb9722]

5 days a week. But yeah... long hours..

[@jodieandmichaellowe5928]

@@howgoodisit Where does it say they only worked there for 6 months? When I was watching how hard the chefs worked and the incredible volume of stunning food they made daily, I was thinking "I really hope the owners pay and treat them well because they don't know how lucky they are to have them". This is a beautiful story about two amazing chefs.

[@alisonshanahan1237]

My second time watching this and just as enjoyable. A marvellous experience for all.

[@dlmcmfc6209]

Not just amazing chefs but just nice personality chefs. Usually chefs are crazy rude and snobby. Pho soup!!! LOL that's awesome. I guess farmers need me harty foods to work long and hard hrs, hence meat meat meat. Good story. 👍👍👍

[@jacquelinewilson2279]

What a fabulous couple. Intelligent and hard working. Real artists too - the bread etc.