Black Swan Bistro

Chef Maria Rodriguez

Head Chef & Culinary Director

With over 20 years of culinary experience spanning three continents, Chef Maria Rodriguez brings a wealth of expertise and passion to Black Swan Bistro. After training in Spain and working in Michelin-starred restaurants in France, Maria fell in love with Australian cuisine during a visit to Perth in 2008.

"What drew me to Australia was the incredible quality and variety of local produce," Maria explains. "From the fresh seafood to the unique native ingredients, there's an endless opportunity for creativity in the kitchen."

Since joining Black Swan Bistro in 2015, Maria has transformed our menu into a celebration of modern Australian cuisine, incorporating native ingredients like wattleseed, finger lime, and native pepperberry into contemporary dishes.

Awards & Recognition

• Good Food Guide - Two Chef Hats (2020-2024)
• Best New Chef, Western Australia (2016)
• Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year, Runner-up (2022)
• Winner, Perth Food Festival Chef Competition (2019)

Farm to Table

We believe in supporting local farmers and producers. Our menu changes seasonally to reflect what's fresh and available from Western Australian farms, fisheries, and suppliers. This commitment to locality ensures the highest quality ingredients while supporting our regional food economy.

Sustainability

Environmental responsibility is at the heart of everything we do. We minimize food waste through careful planning and composting, use eco-friendly packaging, and choose suppliers who share our commitment to sustainable practices.

• All seafood is sustainably sourced
• Organic produce whenever possible
• Zero waste initiative - we compost all food scraps
• Biodegradable and recyclable packaging for takeaway
• Energy-efficient kitchen equipment

Community Engagement

We're proud to be part of the Perth community. We regularly host charity dinners, support local schools through our mentorship program, and participate in food bank initiatives.

Kitchen Team

• Maria Rodriguez - Head Chef
• James Chen - Sous Chef
• Sophie Martin - Pastry Chef
• Alex Thompson - Line Cook

Front of House

• David Williams - Restaurant Manager
• Emma Johnson - Head Sommelier
• Lisa Anderson - Maître D'

"Black Swan Bistro exceeded all expectations. The food was exceptional, the service impeccable, and the riverside views were the perfect backdrop for our anniversary dinner. We'll definitely be back!"

"Chef Maria's creativity shines through in every dish. The seasonal menu means there's always something new to try. Consistently excellent!"

"As a vegetarian, I'm always worried about limited options, but Black Swan Bistro's vegetarian dishes are just as creative and delicious as their meat offerings. Highly recommended!"