Chef's Hat

There are few things more important in the culinary game than the perfect performance of the right equipment. In the high-stakes environment of Melbourne's best kitchens, reputations can be made or broken on the blade of a sashimi knife or the even heat of a saucier. An exceptional dish is more than its ingredients – it's reliant on the creativity and technique of the chef as well as the standard of equipment available to them.

When Henry Sawicki and his late wife Elizabeth founded Chef’s Hat in 1997, their aim was to service the hospitality industry with the expertise and equipment that would allow every kitchen to run at its best. It was never their intention to step into retail, but as their reputation developed, their clientele expanded, attracting buyers from restaurants, bars, caterers, hotels and the general public alike.

More than 20 years later, Chef's Hat is still a very proud family run business, hosting the largest, kitchenware showroom in Australia (some say the world, we will let you be the judge) and supplying the frontrunners of the hospitality scene with commercial equipment and tableware, nationally. From the venues' concept design to the final touches, Chef's Hat has been entrusted to provide advice and equipment for culinary players such as Lux Bite, Boilermaker House, Higher Ground and Garden State Hotel.

The South Melbourne store caters to not only hospitality professionals, but amateur cooks. Housed in a historic building just across from the South Melbourne Market, Chef's Hat is the last stop on a marketgoer’s journey – take in your armfuls of fresh produce and our staff at Chef's Hat will show you how to get the best out of every ingredient; many of the staff are ex-chefs and are always willing to share their industry experience.

Today, we still strive to inspire cooks, everywhere, every day – because we truly believe that there is no greater pleasure in life than to gather around a table with family & friends for a shared meal.

A visit to our store, is sure to leave you feeling empowered, to take your culinary skills to the next level. But beware ­– it's easy to get carried away in this kitchen mecca. Whether you're into beautifully crafted cookware or the latest kitchen gadgets, these hallowed halls are full of items to tempt you. You’ll find a wide variety of cookware, bakeware, tableware, appliances, disposables, crockery, cutlery, glassware and more, all characterized by our commitment to premium quality, artisanal craftsmanship and cutting edge innovation.