INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF HOSPITALITY: Nornie Bero
Name
Nornie Bero
Where can you find their food:
Mabu Mabu https://www.mabumabu.com.au/
A bit about them:
Nornie Bero is chef and owner of Mabu Mabu; a Yarraville, VIC based eatery celebrating Torres Strait Islander cuisine. Showcasing Indigenous ingredients throughout the menu, Bero captures their heritage, hailing from Mer Island (situated towards the very top of The Great Barrier Reef). Furthermore, Bero offers catering as part of Mabu Mabu for family feasts, corporate and community events.
Mabu Mabu initially began as a stall at the South Melbourne Markets offering fresh curry pastes, herb sauces, sweet spreads, and savoury dips. After one short year, the business expanded into its current realisation. Prior to opening their own venture, Bero had worked across the industry for over 20 years, with experience in Japanese and Italian cuisine, and previously ran the CERES kitchen for over three years in Melbourne’s inner north.
Inspired from a young age by their father, Bero fondly remembers how he would turn their house into a “tuck-shop”, selling burgers to the local community. At the age of 17, Bero relocated to Melbourne to follow a career in food.
By definition, Mabu Mabu translates to ‘help yourself’, of which the restaurant seeks to embody- sharing and enjoying food with community.
"Bush foods have been here for more than 80,000 years; that’s a long time of good healthy lifestyles that our people survived on. We want to share that with everyone, not just Aboriginal people. For all of Australia to learn, respect and enjoy.” (Bero, SBS Food)
Follow them:
Instagram -
@mabu_mabu_aus
@norniebero
Source:
https://www.goodfood.com.au/mabu-mabu-yarraville/mabu-mabu-review-20191111-h1jk5
https://inside.melbourne/nornie-bero-mabu-mabu/
Photo: by Justin McManus of Nornie Bero at Mabu Mabu standing in front of artwork by Coffin Birth via Good Food