Julian Hills

Julian Hills is one of Australia's most exciting chefs. He grew up on a 40-acre hobby farm in Victoria's Strzelecki Ranges, where raising animals, fishing, gardening, foraging, and hunting were part of daily life. After stints at Blush Food Room, The European, Middle Brighton Baths and the Courthouse Hotel, Hills settled on the Mornington Peninsula as head chef at Paringa Estate. He was awarded a chef's hat in the Good Food Guide after his first year and for the remaining five years of his tenure.  

Hill's first solo venture, Navi, has been a shining light of Melbourne's food scene since its opening in July 2018. The Two-Hatted restaurant offers contemporary tasting menus with extra decadent bites throughout. The menu reflects Hills's creativity and passion for showcasing local ingredients and producers, innovative techniques and unique pairings, and his tendency towards a cohesive journey of small dishes. At the end of 2021, Navi expanded its offering to include Navi Lounge next door. As well as being the perfect spot for an after-work cocktail for locals, the lounge features its standalone menu of elevated snacks. 

Hills is a man of many talents. Julian, a Fine Arts graduate specialising in ceramics and drawing, handmakes the delicate plates and tableware at Navi in his makeshift studio. The chef's ceramics are organic in shape and texture, while the palette is earthy and rustic - much like the Australian landscape where he forages his ingredients. With the constant admiration of his ceramics in the restaurant, he recently launched the Navi Home X Robert Gordon collection with the iconic Australian pottery brand, providing an opportunity to have a piece of Navi at home. 

Julian was awarded Good Food Guide's 2023 Victorian Chef of the Year, while Navi continues to receive accolades in Australia's top restaurant guides.