Stephanie Alexander ran the acclaimed Stephanie's Restaurant for twenty-one years before closing it in 1997 and for eight years was a partner in the popular all-day cafe Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder.

Stephanie was awarded an Order of Australia in 1994 for her services to the hospitality industry and to tourism, and for encouraging young apprentices.

In 2000 she became involved in initiating and promoting a primary-school garden and kitchen program in the belief that the earlier children learn about food through example and positive experience, the better their food choices will be through life. She is now a Director and Board Member of the not-for-profit Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, which currently supports primary-school gardening programs throughout Australia.

Stephanie is one of Australia's most highly regarded food writers. She has written numerous influential food books, including Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion, Cooking and Travelling in South-West France and Kitchen Garden Cooking with Kids. Her classic, The Cook's Companion, re-released in a new edition in 2004, has established itself as the Kitchen bible in nearly 400,000 homes.

Author Website: www.stephaniealexander.com.au