Bill Granger has always been passionate about food and cooking. He takes pride in presenting delicious food that is simple, fresh and looks irresistable. This easygoing approach to food has always been Bill's philosophy and is an important element of his enduring popularity in Australia and overseas. Bill's broad appeal also springs from an instinctive understanding of how most of us like to eat. He is a self-taught cook who gained his knowledge from eating, reading and experiencing food. Born in Melbourne Bill moved to Sydney when he was nineteen. As an art student with a passion for food, he worked as a waiter and his focus gradually shifted from art to food. His fascination for developing new ideas eventually led him to establish his own restaurants, bills in 1993 in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst, and the second bills opened in the nearby suburb of Surry Hills in 1996. They were both immediate successes and are established as favourite destinations with both locals and tourists alike. There are many people for whom a visit to Sydney is not complete without breakfast at bills. As one of Australia's leading food writers, Bill's first two cook books, bills sydney food and bills food, quickly became international best sellers, and when the third, bills open kitchen, was published in 2003 it went to the top of the nonfiction charts in Australia. Bill's books are now due to be launched by HarperCollins in the US in February 2005. Bill is a regular contributor to numerous publications in Australia and internationally. He has a regular column in Australia's delicious magazine, a food segment with Angela Catterns on ABC Radio 702 and is a regular contributor to the BBC's Olive and Good Food magazines in the UK. In 2003 Bill was invited to act as consultant restauranteur and chef on a new retail concept for Marks and Spencer in the UK called Lifestore. Working in conjuction with minimalist British architect John Pawson, Bill's unique style was applied to the Lifestore Cafe. In 2004 Bill launched his debut television series, bills food, on The Lifestyle Channel in Australia, directed by Dominic Cyriax, the award-winning director of Nigella Lawson's UK series, Nigella Bites. The cameras follow Bill as he cooks his way through busy working days and casual weekends at home with family and friends. The series has been acquired by the BBC in the UK and TV networks around the world.