Dean Smith

Founding Director & Event Curator

Meet your Private Chef & Sommelier…

Throughout his extensive travels, Dean has gained valuable techniques in the creativity and execution of all types of culinary events, inclusive of private functions, wine and whiskey tastings, birthdays, corporate catering, weddings and much more.

With the desire to return home and share his knowledge to the local community, Dean designed and developed Sunny Rays to allow every person to experience the best quality of service combined with unforgettable food, wine and event planning for any special occasion.

Having spent 10 years travelling through more than 100 countries (including working in 5 countries across 4 continents), Dean gathered experiences far and wide from permaculture farming techniques in Central America to Sommelier accreditations in Western Europe.

Currently, Dean holds the Trade Qualifications as a Chef and has obtained Level 3 in the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) as a Sommelier alongside Responsible Management of a Licensed Venue (RMLV) as the Licensee of Sunny Rays Catering. These accreditations are also accompanied by a Certificate III in Hospitality Operations from TAFE Mooloolaba and a Bachelor of Business from the Queensland University of Technology.