Audrey Shaw

Audrey Shaw is the Head Chef and owner of Carnation Canteen in Fitzroy and Bar Carnation in Carlton North. 

Originally trained as an architect, Audrey pivoted to cooking while living in the UK, spending a year in the kitchen at the now-shuttered Michelin-starred Ellory. She later ran her own catering company while working at Kerstin Thompson Architects, cooked at London’s River Cafe, and worked alongside Brigitte Hafner at Tedesca Osteria on the Mornington Peninsula. 

Opened in mid-2024, Carnation Canteen is an intimate twenty-seat restaurant informed by both Audrey’s architectural precision and culinary sensibility. Its Mediterranean-leaning à la carte and aperitivo menus change weekly, shaping peak seasonal produce into simple, elegant dishes served in a carefully considered dining room and sunny outdoor spaces. 

Bar Carnation, in the former Gerald’s Bar site, channels her love of classic bistro dining and Italian food in a drinks-led setting, pairing stiff cocktails and thoughtful wines with an unfussy, confident menu. 

Across both venues, Audrey works directly with local farmers and producers, prioritising organic and biodynamic sourcing wherever possible.