A tribute written by the federation says Mr O’Brien was trained in Ireland and worked in renowned restaurants before settling in Australia. “Patrick was the kind of person you only meet once in a lifetime,” a friend wrote online. He was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration. Working alongside him was a privilege, but it was his friendship that I valued most. Patrick’s generosity of spirit, his humor, and his ability to lift those around him will never be forgotten.”
Mr O’Brien was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2023 for his services to the hospitality industry. He spent 18 years teaching at a tertiary institute in Perth, North Metropolitan TAFE, leading eighty-plus staff building a program that shaped future food service professionals and set a benchmark for excellence. He also instrumental in guiding young chefs to gold medals at the Culinary Olympics and international competitions across the world.
While teaching and mentoring, at various times he was WA president and a national board member of the Australian Culinary Federation, a master craftsman with the Catering Institute of Australia, and World-Chefs grade A judge.