Shannon Martinez and Mo Wyse are the dynamic duo behind Melbourne’s award-winning vegan restaurant Smith & Daughters, which has twice been voted Time Out People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year (2016 and 2014). Chef Shannon has cooked since she can remember due to the influence of her Spanish paternal family. With her outside the square innovative talents she has contributed to kitchens across Melbourne for nearly 20 years. She eats meat, but has perfected her vegetarian – and latterly vegan – repertoire in pubs over the years. She says this is what makes her food so good; she tries to replicate the tastes and textures of meat, rather than putting out bland, predictable, vegan food. Mo (who is vegan) is a Seattle and New York expat. She studied journalism and has a background in PR and TV production, but has dedicated her passion for creative, plant-based food to creating Smith & Daughters, where she is the logistical, front-of-house and marketing brains behind this gun team.