{"id":774,"date":"2012-07-08T10:48:43","date_gmt":"2012-07-08T00:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/?p=774"},"modified":"2012-07-08T10:55:54","modified_gmt":"2012-07-08T00:55:54","slug":"artchat-blog-interview-number-12-%e2%80%93-tom-burke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/?p=774","title":{"rendered":"ArtChat [Blog Interview Number 12] \u2013 Tom Burke"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"fb_share_1\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 10px;\"><a name=\"fb_share\" type=\"icon_link\" share_url=\"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/?p=774\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php\">Share<\/a><\/div><div><script src=\"http:\/\/static.ak.fbcdn.net\/connect.php\/js\/FB.Share\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script><\/div><p>This month we are happy to present an insight into the life of one of Brisbane\u2019s and Australia\u2019s most sort after caterer. \u00a0A Gold Licence Caterer, Tom Burke from <a title=\"CSC\" href=\"http:\/\/www.caxtonstcatering.com.au\" target=\"_blank\">Caxton St Catering<\/a>\u00a0 is considered one of Australia\u2019s leading culinary creators. \u00a0A member of the ISES (<a title=\"ISES\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ises.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">International Special Events Society)<\/a> Tom is constantly redefining limits and pushing boundaries in the food world, which is why he is up there with Australia\u2019s best.<\/p>\n<p>Tom has catered for premier establishments such as <a title=\"QAGOMA\" href=\"http:\/\/qagoma.qld.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">QAGoMA<\/a>, high profile events like the Bledisloe Cup and he has recently, for the 6<sup>th<\/sup> year in a row, been selected as the exclusive Australia wide VIP caterer for<a title=\"CIRQUE\" href=\"http:\/\/www.showbiz.com.au\/ovo\/tapis-rouge.html\" target=\"_blank\"> Cirque du Soleil <\/a>.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/?attachment_id=778\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-778\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-778\" title=\"Caxton St Catering\" src=\"http:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/CSC.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/CSC.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/CSC-300x121.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a>In our interview with Tom we have tried to delve into his life, snatch some industry secrets and gossip and of course chatted about his extensive art collection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tom you are obviously a hard working, dedicated and determined business man, how does it feel to be considered one of Australia\u2019s best?|<br \/>\nTB: <\/strong>A great compliment, though I impress that it is a team effort and I have been blessed over 20 years with great employees that understand my vision, deliver superbly, and \u2018go that extra mile\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You come across as very passionate about what you do, how did you get into the industry?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>There was not a masterplan or intent, it just evolved. After a career in Ragtrade in Australia I went overseas for 5 years and, out of necessity, gravitated towards the Hospitality Industry. When I arrived back I started to build to where I am today!<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where do you draw your inspiration to constantly push boundaries and create such innovative and visually pleasing dishes?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>My clients, everyone is different and each wants something different. To elect to have a catered function means that my client, private or commercial, wants something different with their personal stamp evident.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You seem to constantly be setting goals and smashing them, how do you stay focused? What drives you?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Our Ethos at CSC is \u2018you are only as good as your last job\u2019 Personally, I am a Leo, I hate repartition, get bored quickly and have a fear of failure, throw in a healthy dose of Catholic guilt and you have it!<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ve catered for an amazing array of clientele, what has been your favourite moment in your career so far?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>After 20 years there are quite a few though every time you complete an event that was larger or more complex or more strategically daunting than the previous, there is huge satisfaction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your company caters for every occasion from corporate events to weddings, do you have a favourite event you enjoy catering for the most?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Sometimes you click with a client and you \u2018get\u2019 what they want \u2013 you deliver the dream! They are the favourite!<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You watch chef\u2019s like Heston Blumenthal create the weirdest and wackiest dishes, do you have any similar experiences where you have been gobsmacked at what the clients have requested?<br \/>\nTC:\u00a0 <\/strong>Constantly!<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As a world-class caterer I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve had your fair share of culinary experiences; do you have a favourite meal or most memorable meal?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>I have had quite a few, though I think it is very rare when the worlds collide and the food, the setting, the ambience and the company are at one.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your <a href=\"http:\/\/www.caxtonstcatering.com.au\" target=\"_blank\">website<\/a> is a clear indication of your playfulness, originality and creative flair, do you appreciate art as much as you do food?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Absolutely!<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How do you feel about your work being considered as art, is this something you agree with?|<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> I think it is taking it too far! Creative, yes! Sensory, totally! Art, no! We create for the moment.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you have a favourite artist or art period\/style that you enjoy the most? Why do you think you identify with this work\/style?<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong> TB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Modern Art! The sculptor Alexander Seaton.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ve catered for QAGoMA as well as the Bledisloe cup events, does the catering differ between these audiences very much? Give us a little insight into what needs to be considered when catering for art lovers and rugby fanatics.<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>So close but yet soooo far away! \u00a0For a Sports Event we are under strict time lines\u2026..you cannot miss the start of a game!<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How would you describe yourself in three words?<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong> TB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Committed, Excitable, Eye to detail.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re clearly a very busy man and highly sort after, what do you do to unwind when it all gets too much?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Lock myself away with a good Serial killer Book.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you have a celebrity idol or chef that you admire?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Tetsuya<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard you are a bit of an art collector, what do you look for when buying art and how do you decide on a particular piece?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> Comes from a connection, I tend towards sculpture. Most of the Art I have is modern and quite bold.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you have any tips for people considering buying art for the first time?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>You like it buy it! If you don\u2019t have a place for it now, you will. If you buy with a passion for a piece it has a calming affect which, at unexpected times, excite you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>AC:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And finally, what is your take on the nation\u2019s current food craze? From Masterchef to MyKitchenRules it seems that every second person these days considers themselves a foodie&#8230; has this genre of popular culture affected you or the industry in any way?<br \/>\nTB:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>I cannot stand it! It gives such falsehoods of the industry and it denigrates trained chefs who have studied and worked for many years to get where they are today.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/?attachment_id=781\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-781\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-781\" title=\"Tom Burke - Caxton St Catering\" src=\"http:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/tb01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/tb01.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/tb01-300x105.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>RELEVANT LINKS:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirquedusoleil.com\/en\/home.aspx#\/en\/home\/oceania\/australia.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Cirque Du Soleil <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.showbiz.com.au\/ovo\/tapis-rouge.html\" target=\"_blank\">Exclusive National\u00a0Caterer &#8211; Tapis Rouge <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.brisbanemarketing.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\nMember Brisbane Marketing <\/a><br \/>\n<a title=\"ISES\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ises.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">Member ISES Queensland<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.meetingsevents.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">Member Meetings &amp; Events Australia\u00a0 <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/qagoma.qld.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">Caterer to the Gallery of Modern Art &amp; Qld Art Gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"al2fb_like_button\"><div id=\"fb-root\"><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n(function(d, s, id) {\n  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];\n  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;\n  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;\n  js.src = \"\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1&appId=499790883388518\";\n  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);\n}(document, \"script\", \"facebook-jssdk\"));\n<\/script>\n<fb:like href=\"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/?p=774\" send=\"true\" layout=\"button_count\" show_faces=\"true\" share=\"false\" width=\"150\" action=\"recommend\" font=\"arial\" colorscheme=\"light\" ref=\"AL2FB\"><\/fb:like><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ShareThis month we are happy to present an insight into the life of one of Brisbane\u2019s and Australia\u2019s most sort after caterer. \u00a0A Gold Licence Caterer, Tom Burke from Caxton St Catering\u00a0 is considered one of Australia\u2019s leading culinary creators. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/?p=774\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=774"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":806,"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774\/revisions\/806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artchat.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}