Background
Skinner was born in Melbourne, Australia.
Skinner was born in Melbourne, Australia.
Matt co-founded Fifteen Restaurant with Jamie Oliver and Tobie Puttock, and appeared in two television series with Puttock called Tobie & Matt. Skinner"s career began as a bottle shop attendant at the Whitehorse Inn Hotel in 1993. After completing an introductory wine course, he moved onto other sales assistant roles before being appointed manager at the Prince Wine Store in 1996.
In 2000, Skinner was introduced by Tobie Puttock to British chef Jamie Oliver, who in 2001 asked him to relocate to the United Kingdom to help set up Fifteen.
Skinner was involved for six years overseeing wine operations for the group (they opened four branches of Fifteen) and was Head Sommelier at Fifteen London during that time. He also held consultancy roles with Match Group United Kingdom and Sainsbury"s United Kingdom. Today Skinner continues to consult to the Jamie"s Italian group of restaurants in Australia, working closely with the team on wine list development & training.
He also holds an ambassadorial role with Plumm Wine Glasses and is a Wine Selection Panel Member for Jetstar International Airlines. Books and Skinner has been appointed judge at the following wine shows.
Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2010 – Current Decanter World Wine Awards 2005–2007 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show 2007 Australian Boutique Wine Awards 2008 National Ambassador for MOVEMBER 2010 & 2011 Host at Good Food & Wine Show.
London, Birmingham, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide & Sydney, co-hosting a food and wine show with Tobie Puttock and hosting stand-alone wine tasting tutorials & master classes Host at The Wine Show. London, hosting wine tasting seminars and wine tours.