Award-winning chef returns to Northern Rivers with surprise restaurant takeover

ACCLAIMED chef Stephen Peak has returned to the Northern Rivers and will mark his homecoming with a takeover of the specials board at You Beauty! in Bangalow this Sunday.

Born in Byron Bay and raised in Lennox Head, Peak moved to Brisbane with friends after finishing high school, where he began his cooking apprenticeship.

He and his wife relocated to Tasmania in early 2018 so he could take up a role at farm-to-table restaurant The Agrarian Kitchen, around 30 minutes’ drive from Hobart in the Derwent Valley.

Within a year, Peak stepped into the head chef role and was at the helm when the noshery was named Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year in 2024.

“After over seven years in Tassie, the time was right to move back home closer to family, friends and warmer weather,” he said. “I’m now back for good and am really excited for the future.”

Peak said he was excited to be working with You Beauty!, which was awarded regional restaurant of the year in the 2025 Good Food Guide Awards.

“It’s a great opportunity to highlight my style of food using the beautiful local produce of the region,” he said.

“I’ve dined at You Beauty! previously and loved it. It’s a lovely space and I think my dishes align really well with what they already do there.

“I also had a great couple of years out of the kitchen working in London’s oldest cheesemonger as the affineur, ripening and ageing different cheeses for sale, and I’ll be making some cheese, to be had alongside a selection of the best veggies and seafood we can get.”

Stephen Peak will take over the specials board at You Beauty! at lunchtime on Sunday 8 February.

For bookings visit youbeauty2479.com