Dane’s passion for exceptional food and wine experiences from his formative years, led him to successfully publish his own culinary and beverage website LBV Le Bon Vivant in 2009, where his respected insights, opinions and unique skill set were quickly recognised by his peers, chefs and peak industry bodies. He was headhunted for various leading reviewing positions, culminating in him being appointed as General Manager and Head of Reviewing in Australia for the respected Global food guide Gault&Millau. Following that he established News for the Food Lover which has become, the trusted and respected source for all the latest food, beverage, lifestyle, and travel news in Australia. He was part of the original AussieCuisine Project Team in 2016, and now heads up its revival in 2026 to update its preliminary findings released in 2018.
Dane judges and reviews food, beverage, and lifestyle experiences at all levels for a diversity of key Industy organisations, with his honest and objective assessments valued by industry. Through his News For The Food Lover and LBV Le Bon Vivant brands, he also provides independent consultancy to various hospitality operators to assist them in achieving their fullest potential. He also currently holds the position of President for the Sydney Bailliage of the oldest global food and beverage organisation Chaîne des Rôtisseurs which was founded in 1248, revived in 1950, and presently now established in seventy five countries.
Most recently he judged at the 2026 NSW Wines Sommelier’s Wine List Awards and 2025 Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Fine Food Show, and has been invited to return in 2026. Dane is highly sought after for industry judging (including for Restaurant and Catering), with both his measured judgment and objective analysis an integral part of his highly valued reviewing skillset.
Today, he lives in Sydney, and is a leading and passionate advocate for the industry with his palate, respected opinions and food critique considered in the top echelon, both in this country and abroad. One of his foremost ambitions is to see the Michelin Guide fully established in Australia.
Email: dane@newsforthefoodlover.com
What we offer, and how we can help you find the next level
Apart from publishing a dynamic National website and social media platform that covers all the latest developments in food, beverage, lifestyle and travel we offer:
- Open to invites to promote your business
- Professional, respected, and independent evaluation of your Restaurant/Hotel/Cafe/Bar/Catering/Resort
- Anonymous evaluation visits (if preferred)
- Available to critique Openings (both soft & official) and attend Media launches
- Existing and New Menu tasting critique
- Prepare your Business to become review ready by understanding the key objectives of critique evaluation systems
- Review cookbooks
- Cover beverage tastings
- MC Cooking demonstrations
- Review travel and lifestyle experiences (including cruises)
- Food and beverage Competition judging (including trade shows)
- Participation in panel discussions
- Product tasting and equipment evaluation/endorsement
- Hospitality Consultancy
- Speaking engagements
- Food Guide Reviewing, Consultancy, and Management
- Reviewer mentoring
- Address Culture Issues within your Business
- Resetting Leadership and Culture
If we engage with you, and believe in the integrity of your product and brand, we will stand beside you, long after others have quickly moved onto their next “influencer” opportunity.
Our audience and market reach has been genuinely built by establishing mutual respect with industry leaders and passionate food and beverage lovers. Hospitality is effectively the sum of all its small parts done well, let’s identify those together and discover what your best version looks like.
Contact us, and let’s begin both the conversation and collaboration!
Enquire by email: dane@newsforthefoodlover.com
Or
send by mail to:
PO Box 97, Beverly Hills NSW 2209
