Vanessa Button

Vanessa has worked in South Australian restaurants for the last twenty years.

Her love of restaurant culture tempted her into the industry. Spending all her first pay checks as a teen on dining in those very same restaurants.

After completing her comm kitchen certificates, she found herself missing the customer connection. So, she returned to the front of house, under the mentorship of Fleurieu legend Olaf Hansen. His belief in her inspired her to buy her own place.

Her restaurant Kuti Shack at Goolwa (which she owns with chef Brendan Roach) is all about pride of place. Vanessa is local to Goolwa and showing respect to the incredible part of Ngarrindjeri ruwe that Kuti stands on is important to her. Looking out at the ocean all day is inspiring, Vanessa hand builds the crockery to mimic the ocean and the dunes, a perfect vessel for the ‘Shack’s’ seafood dishes.

Forging valued connections with farmers, fishers, winemakers and locals; Vanessa can share this iconic part of South Australia wholly with the customer. She can tell you where your fish was caught, who caught it and who’s wine you should be drinking with it.