The man behind the food phenomenon that is Lizotte's has over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry in Australia, Europe and U.S.A.
Mention the name Brian Lizotte to anyone in the entertainment industry and a smile instantly grows on their face, let alone the licking of lips.
After graduating with a Diploma in Catering and Hotel Management, Brian first started in the backroom of Rhinoceros Studios cooking on the hop for the likes INXS which then turned into a fully fledged catering company More Than A Morsel.
More Than Morsel was the first truly national entertainment caterer serving local and international artists such as Frank Sinatra, Madonna, John Farnham, Bob Dylan, U2, Elton John and Billy Joel, Nirvana and pretty much every Australian artist you can think of. Brian specifically catered to their taste buds with the question “where do you want to go tonight” not what would you like to eat. His flare for creating unique dishes using a twist of local and Australian Native flavours set him apart from all the other players and he was on every artist's wish list for tour catering.
After many years of trudging around the country with road cases, Brian and his wife Jo setup their first Lizotte's restaurant on the Central Coast which for a decade was THE place for local and international touring artists to perform at. To be honest, many artists also come here just for the food and the TLC that Brian gives his artists in addition to his patrons.
He has developed a niche that many other venues around the country try to emulate and is constantly approached to franchise and open more Lizotte's restaurants nationally.
Lizotte's has won the coveted R&C NSW Entertainment Restaurant of the Year for the past three consecutive years (2006, 2007, 2008).
In 2007, Lizotte's released their first compilation album in a series of CD's that feature artists who perform at the venue. Menu 1 and Menu 2 have been released to overwhelming reviews and Menu 3 is planned for early 2009.
In November 2008, Live & Cookin' @ Lizotte's (the recipe book by Brian Lizotte) was released by New Holland Publishers, and overdue and long awaited by many. Over 200 pages packed with scrumptious recipes that have fed some of the biggest stars in the world, perfected over the years of catering for local and international artists, Brian's dishes are not only ‘to die for' but also have the simplicity for making these dishes in your own home, for a dinner party, or general meal. The trials and tribulations that are an accompaniment to many of these dishes are something to be discovered through a conversation with Brian himself or a personal visit to Lizotte's Restaurant in Newcastle and whilst you're there you'll not doubt catch an amazing and intimate artist performance.
After being with Brian for some time, one thing you'll notice is his undying passion for food, music and great company. Like his mantra says “Fine Food with a Musical Mood”.
Brian and his brother Mark Lizotte (Diesel), July 2009
Significant Career Achievements
1984
Graduated with a Diploma in Catering and Hotel Management.
1989 - 1999
Founding Director of MORE THAN A MORSEL CATERING. Specialising in the music, entertainment, fashion and film industries and a growing number of corporate clients. More Than A Morsel also specialised in offering an array of Australian Native flavours.
Responsible for the initial contact with Laissez Faire Caterer, which lead to the merge of the two companies to form DJANGA Australia.
Director and shareholder in the catering contract at The Australian Technology Parks Eventsite. Successfully sold shares in DJANGA Pty Ltd to existing partners
1992
Personal touring chef for the Beach Boys national Australian Tour.
1993
Auditioned and short listed as celebrity chef for the Midday Show with David Reyne and Tracy Grimshaw.
1994
An appearance on Channel 9's Sydney Extra programme with Gina Boon..
1993
Personal chef for INXS' X FACTOR tour of Australia.
1993-1995
Various publicity and media spots e.g. Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph.
1996
Guest appearance on Channel 10's Monday to Friday Show with Brigette Decloe highlighting Australian Native Bushfoods.
1996
Guest appearance on Channel 9's Midday Show with Ray Martin covering wattle day and featured Vic Cherikoff from Bush Tucker Supplies.
1997
A series of TV spots for FOXTELS FX Food segment (30in total) highlighting Australian Native Bushfoods.
1997
National Catering Coordinator for the Michael Jackson History Tour of Australia.
1995-1998
Catering consultancy for major venues around Australia including The Sydney Entertainment Centre, The Sydney Superdome, The Hordern Pavilion and The Woollongong Entertainment Centre.
1997
Various guest presentations for TAFE College including marketing and Australian Native Bushfoods.
1998
National Catering Coordinator for the Billy Joel & Elton John National Tour of Australia.
1998
National catering Coordinator for the U2 National tour of Australia.
1998
Completed a series of cooking demonstrations for the opening of the new Warringah Mall complex in Sydney and have been re-booked for further demonstrations in October/November 2000.
1998
Catering coordinator for the Cold Chisels ‘Last Wave of Summer Tour' for their National Australian tour.
1999 -2000
Toured with Mark Lizotte aka Diesel as dressing room/catering coordinator and merchandise manager.
2000
Auditioned for Channel 9's cooking show FRESH which aired July 2000.
2000
Successfully developed concept and setup “Lizottes on the Bay” a 100-seat seaside Bistro in The Hardys Bay RSL Club on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia securing a 6-year contract.
1999 - 2000
Developed concept for television lifestyle show featuring music, food and wine. Successfully completed TV pilot in April 2000, which was launched to music, wine and record company executives in the residence of Jimmy Barnes. The pilot was re-shot with Tim Farris of INXS, Mental As Anything. Concept is still being developed and to be launched and promoted with TV networks scheduled late 2005.
2000
October - launched a range of Native Food and value added products under the trade name of Lizottes On The Bay with possible Internet sales pending.
2001
March - Successfully accomplished a two week Native Food promotion for the Hilton Hotel, Jumeriah Beach in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, winning a tourism award for best promotion in five star Hotel
2001
August - June 2004 successfully conceived and ran a second restaurant, Live @ Lizotte's at The Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club, NSW Australia. Live @ Lizotte's fast became the premier dinner show venue on the Central Coast offering first class Australian and International artists and cuisine. Live @ Lizottes was the Winner of the Peninsula Business Awards in 2002 for Business of the Year.
2004 to Current
ABC Radio guest Chef appearances, cooking live to air featuring Australian Native flavours, at the ABC Erina Fair Studio, Central Coast, NSW.
2004
March –Yum Yum Eatery opened in March 2004. A waterfront restaurant at Hardy's Bay, Central Coast, NSW with Australasian Cuisine using fresh herbs and bush foods straight from our Yum Yum Garden.
2005
Relocated Lizotte's Restaurant from Hardy's Bay to it's own home in Kincumber. Relaunched Live @ Lizotte's Dinner Shows providing first class entertainment up close and personal on the Central Coast.
2005
Playing trombone and joining forces with Hank and Michael Lizotte to form the Tassie Horns, on Diesel's live DVD “the first 15 years” performed lived at the Metro Sydney. As well as various other performances including Brian Adams at the Melbourne Tennis Centre and several Diesel shows Live at Lizotte's
2006
Successfully sold YUM YUM EaterY to concentrate on the Live n Cookin @ Lizottes dinner show concept.
2006
Chairperson for the Central Coast NSW R&C association.
2006
Currently working on franchising the Lizotte's Restaurant, home of Live @ Lizotte's with a vision to have up to 15 Lizotte's Restaurants throughout Australia..
2006
Currently working on creating a national television series, Live n Cookin @ Lizotte's which will incorporate an interactive cooking show together with the cream of the music industry.
2006
Currently producing a coffee table cookbook containing a collection of signature dish recipes including Australian Native Flavours, Stories, and Photos revealing a cross section of a 20 year career.
2006
Winner of the R&C NSW Entertainment Restaurant of the Year.
2006
Currently working on franchising the Lizotte's Restaurant, home of Live N Cookin @ Lizotte's with a vision to have up to 15 Lizotte's Restaurants throughout Australia.
2006
Hosted a live recording for Beccy Cole where she recorded a live DVD and CD Titled LIVE N COOKIN @ LIZOTTES and was nominated for a Country Music award
2006
Successfully renovated Lizottes restaurant and added the VALLEY ROOM FUNCTION CENTRE
2007
Winner of the R&C NSW Entertainment Restaurant of the Year.
2007
Currently working on creating a national television series, Live n Cookin @ Lizotte's which will incorporate an interactive cooking show together with the cream of the music industry.
2007
Teamed with Karen –Lee Goody of Entertainment Consulting to create a series of compilation releases featuring artists who have performed at the award winning restaurant and venue Menu 1 and Menu2 out now. Menu 3 planned for a 2009 release.
2008
Lizotte's now offers a state of the art recording facility to artists for a live recording.
2008
Winner of the R&C NSW Entertainment Restaurant of the Year.
2008
Landed a publishing deal with New Holland Publishers and Successfully produced a coffee table cookbook titled “LIVE N COOKIN @ LIZOTTES” containing a collection of signature dish recipes including Australian Native Flavours, Stories, and Photos revealing a cross section of a 20 year career.
2009
Opened Live n Cookin @ Lizotte's Newcastle (formerly Kings Theatre) in the historical town of Lambton.
2010
Brian won the Australia Day Community Award for Business from Gosford City Council for working tirelessly with schools, community groups and charities to help foster the talents of young people within our community.
2010
Opened Live n Cookin @ Lizotte's Sydney on the Northern Beaches.
2011
Appearance on Mornings with Kerry Anne - Channel 9 in September 2011.