He found himself in an international kitchen cooking alongside chefs from around the world and they all seemed to ask him the same question – what do you cook in Australia?

Ironically, he cooked French food. Their comments made him question his approach to his cuisine, even though he had spent a lot of time studying classical cooking overseas.

That was in 2012, and in the years since his cuisine has utilised indigenous foods, become ‘more Australian’ and transformed into burgers at his shop Rascal in Newcastle.

“I use a lot more local produce, I use beef that is made locally and ethically, we make all of our stuff in-house and even though I am doing fast food, I am doing it as ethically and consciously as possible,” he said.

Read more: Apply for the chance to be at 2018 Terra Madre and Salon del Gusto

Read more: Boil a billy, kiss a llama, real in a carp – all the action from Tocal Field Days

Now Mr Montgomery is encouraging other chefs across the Hunter to apply for a Slow Food Hunter Valley scholarship to attend Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto in Italy in September. 

The biennial event gives participants an opportunity to be with 7000 farmers, chefs and food advocates from 143 countries as they discuss the issues affecting food systems and put forward ideas to solve current challenges. 

The $2500 scholarship program covers return airfares, accommodation, conference fees to attend workshops and events, as well as $200 spending money for incidental expenses.

“It was life-changing, it introduced a whole different perspective,” he said.

“Seeing the strength of other countries’ food cultures made me intensely aware that as a young country Australia doesn’t have it’s own food culture – it’s cultural identity when it comes to food is still changing.

“All of these other countries have a very strong connection with their food that has been formed over hundreds of years. It’s an experience that will be unexpectedly life-changing, it will be interesting and moving and you will see things you would never go out of your way to see and it will shape you like you wouldn’t believe.”

Apply here by May 21.