Mike McEnearney
Chef | Restaurateur | Consultant | Author
Social Reach : 5K followers @byMIKEGROUP 23K followers @Kitchenbymike
A leading voice in produce-driven cooking, Mike McEnearney builds hospitality concepts that are as thoughtful as they are commercially successful.
Talent Snapshot
Cuisine
Produce-Driven | Farm-to-Table | Seasonal | Open Fire | Modern Australian
Location
Australia | Worldwide
Audience
Hospitality | Developers | Premium Food Brands | Lifestyle | Culture & Events
CURRENTLY
Founder of Kitchen by Mike, Founder of by Mike (Consultancy), Creator of From Here by Mike at 1 Hotel Melbourne & Creative Director at Carriageworks Farmers Market.
Personality Traits
Authentic
Visionary
Grounded
Story-led
Strategic thinker
Confident on camera & in leadership
Brand Fit
Hospitality & Venue Development
Brand & Concept Creation
Food & Produce Campaigns
Travel & Tourism Campaigns
Culinary Experiences & Events
Consulting & Advisory
Speaking Engagements
Career Story
With over three decades in hospitality, Mike McEnearney has built a career defined by experience, evolution and intent.
Starting in some of Australia’s leading kitchens before spending a decade cooking across Europe, Mike developed a deep respect for technique, discipline and seasonality. A pivotal moment came living on a farm in Wales, where a true connection to land, produce and simplicity reshaped his entire philosophy on food — one that continues to guide his work today.
Returning to Australia, Mike redefined the dining landscape with Kitchen by Mike, introducing a produce-driven, canteen-style experience that stripped back the noise and put ingredients first. The concept quickly became one of the most influential models in modern Australian dining.
Since then, his work has expanded beyond restaurants into large-scale hospitality strategy, consultancy and concept development, including major venue projects, market curation and global collaborations. Today, through by Mike, he works at the intersection of food, culture and operations — building brands and venues that are authentic, scalable and grounded in purpose.
At every stage, Mike’s approach remains the same: let the produce lead, build strong teams, and create experiences that feel real.
Why Mike Works for Brands
Mike McEnearney brings a rare combination of creative vision and operational intelligence, making him a powerful partner for brands, developers and hospitality groups.
With over three decades of experience, Mike doesn’t just create food — he builds systems, concepts and experiences that work in the real world. From redefining casual dining with Kitchen by Mike to delivering large-scale projects and consultancy through by Mike, his work consistently balances authenticity with commercial performance.
What sets Mike apart is his deep connection to producers and seasonality, combined with an ability to scale ideas without losing their integrity. His approach is grounded, intuitive and story-led — ensuring every project feels human, relevant and connected to place.
For brands and developers, this means more than creative direction — it’s end-to-end thinking, from concept and culture through to execution and long-term sustainability.
Led by produce. Built with purpose. Made to work.