Julian Hills is chef-owner of Navi, a two-hatted fine dining restaurant and lounge bar in Yarraville, Melbourne. 

Hills grew up on a 40-acre hobby farm in Victoria’s Strzelecki Ranges, where gardening, fishing, foraging and raising animals were part of his daily life, instilling in him a passion for seasonal food and wild ingredients. 

Navi is a cohesive journey of small plates – an intimate reflection of Hills’s creativity and passion for showcasing local ingredients and producers, using innovative techniques, experimenting with unique pairings and minimising waste.

Hills was named ‘Chef of the Year’ at The Age Good Food Guide 2023 awards.