Mr Richardson will join Adriano Zumbo, John Sloane and Glenn Austin in creating delicious food for the Celebrating Culinary Careers evening on Friday, May 17.
“I was really happy to get involved,” Mr Richardson said.
“Glenn (Austin) is a good mate of mine, and when he says he’s got a good cause, you know you need to get involved. I like to do things that help people out, and all I have to do is cook some food and be fabulous, and everyone will have a great time.”
Choosing food as a way to give back is a given for Mr Richardson, who said it was very much a love language in his family.
“I come from a very food-focused family. My grandmother is Italian, and my grandfather was a famous chef, so I’ve always been around good food,” he said.
"Growing up in an Italian family, pasta is a very special thing. It’s something that my Nonna or my Mum would cook. For me, pasta is something that comes from the heart.”
His start in the cooking world isn’t what most people would expect.
"I got a job in the kitchen to pay for flying lessons. I wanted to be a pilot. Then I started working in the kitchens and thought, oh, this is great. So I gave the flying lessons a miss and continued chefing,” Mr Richardson said.
In addition to being able to help raise money for ERH mental health and wellbeing services, Mr Richardson said it was exciting to work with other chefs.
“You don’t often get a chance to cook and work together, so it’s good. There’s a lot of camaraderie, and there’s a lot of antics going on in the kitchen, which I reckon is the best part of it,” he said.
Celebrating Culinary Careers will take place on May 17 at Morrisons Winery from 6-11pm. Tickets are $250, and the proceeds will go towards mental health and wellbeing programs at Echuca Regional Health.
Tickets for the evening are available at trybooking.com/CQIJF
Bookings close May 5, and Sarah Crossman can be reached at 5485 5087 for further enquiries.
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