'Jamie Oliver saved my life'

Matthew McKenzie says he owes Jamie Oliver his life.

AS a teenager in Victoria, Matthew McKenzie lived on the streets.

Life had no point and his drug addiction led to a suicide attempt.

It is a long way from where the 23-year-old finds himself now, preparing meals for the likes of Anna Bligh, Quentin Bryce, Steven Bradbury and Dannii Minogue.

“Outback Matty’s” Queensland-based catering business, Divine Dinners, employs 15 people and sources gourmet ingredients such as black truffles all the way from Italy.

He is about to pitch his own TV show to the major networks and release a cookbook.

Matthew will celebrate his remarkable journey on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow as part of the Noosa Jazz Festival.

He will give live cooking demonstrations and set up an exclusive VIP dining experience, thanks to First Class Functions.

Matthew’s culinary career took off when he beat 28,000 disadvantaged youngsters for the chance to work at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen in Melbourne.

He was picking vegetables and drinking himself silly in Bundaberg when his godmother saw the advertisement for applications. Seeing it as an opportunity to get back on track, Matthew hitch-hiked 1950km for the audition.

“I was shell-shocked when I met Jamie Oliver. I didn’t think I was worthy of being there,” he said.

“But the program has changed my life, and my values and views. Jamie taught me to dream, believe and achieve.

“I have come through the darkness and now have a life worth living.”

After graduating from TAFE and Fifteen, Matthew landed a position as second chef at Melbourne’s three-hat restaurant Vue de Monde and then went on to work at Old Government House in Brisbane.

His advice to youngsters is to get an education, get some experience and put your best foot forward.

More information on the Noosa Jazz Festival