Liz Long is the owner of Luscious Affairs, one of Melbourne's top cafe and catering businesses.

At the age of 12, she found her first job working in Hawthorn's Humble Pie, a small take-away food outlet which, coincidentally, is exactly the same shop-front from where she now operates her business, Luscious Affairs.

Although not academically inclined at school, Liz convinced her parents that other opportunities awaited her just around the corner.

By 16, she had happily hung up her schoolbag for the last time to pursue her dreams, beginning with hospitality management in Box Hill, followed by a Cordon Bleu course in London, and a Swiss diploma in hotel management obtained in Leura, New South Wales.

While wondering which direction her studies might take her, Liz stumbled across the old shop-front of her first job, which was now for sale, and within three days she was the new owner. Three weeks later, Luscious Affairs was launched.

Seeing a niche in the top end of the gourmet takeaway market, Liz created an eclectic menu of dishes with a wide cross-section of flavours. Italian inspired, caramalised, roasted vegetable with rosemary sit happily next to a platter of Thai flavoured chicken balls with ginger, coriander and sweet chilli sauce, while nearby the Tandoori drumsticks are almost walking out the door.

Justin Hayes

After completing his apprenticeship in Brisbane and a three-year Sous Chef position at Caprice Restaurant in Rose Bay, Sydney, Justin headed overseas to broaden his experience in restaurants in Switzerland and London. 

In 1987, once again back in Sydney, Justin became a partner and Head Chef in a 120-seat restaurant in the heart of ‘The Rocks’.  His experience as owner/operator of his own restaurant was the launching pad for many other adventures. 

Since selling the restaurant he has owned his own catering company, catered at the Sydney Olympics and taught commercial cookery at V.B.C Tafe in Melbourne.  His restaurant experience includes the 5 star Pier One Park Royal, Eliza’s Restaurant and Le Trianon.