Philip Vakos grew up in Tasmania, raised by two Cretan grandmothers who taught him that the heart of life is found in the kitchen. Surrounded by vegetable gardens, home cooking, and the traditions of Crete, food was always part of his identity — even if his first career took a different path.

He began his professional life as an accountant, but in 2010 he took a leap of faith and appeared on MasterChef Australia. That experience changed everything. Shortly after, he left accounting behind, moved from Tasmania to Melbourne, and committed fully to building a career in hospitality.

In Melbourne, Philip and his wife Heleena founded Bahari Richmond , a modern Greek restaurant rooted in Cretan heritage and Mediterranean generosity. Through bold flavors, seasonal ingredients, and refined technique, Bahari has become a respected voice for contemporary Greek cuisine in Australia.

Since his first television appearance, Philip has featured on programs including SBS Food with Adam Liaw, Everyday Gourmet, and Farm to Fork, while remaining deeply involved in the Greek-Australian community — cooking at Antipodes Festival, supporting Greek schools, and leading demonstrations at markets and cultural events across the country.

Now, as he appears on Greek MasterChef, Philip brings his journey full circle — a proud Greek Australian chef returning to the homeland to represent the diaspora on one of Greece’s biggest culinary stages.

Follow Philip on Instagram and cheer him along the way.