Newly crowned winner of MasterChef Australia Vinnie Gibaldi watched the finale on Sunday night with his fellow cooking show contestants at their favourite gathering spot – Hotel Railway in Brunswick – where chicken parmigianas, burgers, calamari and flat breads were the order of the night.

The registered nurse, who works in the liver transplant department at a Melbourne hospital, swapped high-pressure ward work for a stint on the popular cooking show for a few months – joining the competition courtesy of his partner Bridget, who sneakily put his name forward.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Vinnie lives at home with his mother in Avondale Heights, spends time at his partner’s place in Brunswick and loves to dine out regularly – after all, it’s in his blood.

His father, Angelo Gibaldi, runs Italian restaurant Stuzzichino on Lygon Street. It’s where Gibaldi heads to eat his Nonna Pina’s homemade gnocchi served with Napoli sauce, or the cheesy gnocchi Sorrentina.

“I always tell Dad: ‘It’s not 2005 any more, change the menu’. But people go there for classic staples. It’s old school. I’m a bit more modern,” Vinnie says.

“But it’s hard to not love the food when you’re at a restaurant like Dad’s. The food is made with love and it brings everyone together. I am from an Italian family and blessed to be around such great food that inspired me to cook and appreciate food and flavour,” he says.

Despite pocketing a handy $250,000 from his MasterChef win, Vinnie has no immediate plans to segue into his own restaurant, instead returning to his hospital day job where he has unfinished business.

“I can’t give up my day job just yet, I do love what I do, helping others. It’s hard work, but one you can’t just walk away from.”

Fresh from taking the MasterChef trophy, Vinnie sat down to share some of his food favourites, at home and around Melbourne.

Eating out

Favourite pub and bar feeds

The Sporting Club Hotel in Brunswick is a great place for a Sunday roast. Right now, it’s rolled pork served with a nice big Yorkie and gravy. I also love the burgers and potato cakes at Three Crowns in North Melbourne. It has a great atmosphere, too.

Bar Spontana in Brunswick is a great bar that also serves modern Thai food. Every single thing on the menu is worth trying. They make a great beef jerky. It’s hidden, and I stumbled on it with my girlfriend while having a drink at Sig.Enzo. The owner spins records and makes excellent drinks. I always order a dirty gin martini.

Favourite restaurants

Lagotto in Fitzroy is a favourite. It’s very unassuming, and I’d driven by and not noticed it a stack of times. The menu changes seasonally. They used to make a whipped Vegemite butter with focaccia which was so yum. The Moreton Bay Bug pasta was excellent, as was the pork belly dish with pasta.** **

Also in Fitzroy, Rosheen Kaul’s restaurant Little Rose is an excellent spot to eat. Rosheen is such a lovely person and an amazing cook, We tried most of the menu – the sausage and braised duck with tofu was a favourite dish.

Favourite coffee and bakery spots

I always go to Code Black for a long black, or an iced-long black when weather permits.

I am also more of a savoury guy than a sweets person. There’s a new place that’s opened up in Brunswick called Vandels. People line up every morning, and by 11am everything has pretty much sold out. I don’t normally go for chicken pies, but this one was awesome.

I also like to go to A1 Bakery for fresh bread. When it’s time for a panini I’ll go to Stefanino Panino in Collingwood Yards. I order a prosciutto, mozzarella, bocconcini with rocket.

Favourite date spot

We always start with a drink at Bahama Gold, I’ll grab a Guinness. Then we’ll go next door to Old Palm Liquor for a meal. I like how they cook over charcoal. The seasonal menu is always fabulous.

Where I’d take out-of-towners

I’d take them to Chinatown and to Shanghai Street Kitchen. I’d also suggest Red Cliff – another Chinese spot in Queen Street where I am going with the Melbourne contestants tonight (the night after the finale). Chinese food is always great for sharing. The duck is really good. Fellow finalist Petro took us to Hua Lu Peking Duck one night and it was delicious. The duck here is the best I have ever tried.

Favourite cheap eats under $20

I’d go to Luke’s Banh Mi for a delicious banh mi. It always hits the spot. Or go to Good Days Hot Bread in Brunswick for fresh banh mis, from XO roasted pork to lamb and lemongrass chicken. Or, when at the Queen Victoria Market, I have to get a kransky from the food hall.

Favourite shop for produce

I always shop around, it’s never the same place, but a regular is Queen’s Harvest – also at Queen Victoria Market.

A special family food memory

My mum and stepdad took me to Esca Grill in Moonee Ponds for my 21st. It was the first time I’d been out to have a fancy dinner and ordered a Wagyu steak that was insane.

**Favourite close-to-home takeaway spot **

In Brunswick, it’s always a pizza capricciosa from Madonna Electric. The dough is really crunchy and made well. Closer to Mum’s, it’s St Burgs burger joint in Maribyrnong.

Eating in

Signature dish and go-to at home

I love to barbecue at home, and cooking on charcoal in general. I always go for a rib-eye steak that’s got nice marbling. I’ll cook some asparagus over charcoal, make a potato salad with lots of olive oil and a radicchio and orange salad.

My guilty pleasure

I love a good take-away burger. It’s always a double patty, extra cheese, no salad, a bit of bacon and burger sauce.

**The kitchen wisdom I cling to **

Don’t overthink your dish – and everything you put on that plate needs to make sense. Andy Allen gave me good advice on the show – he made me think about what the eating experience would be like for the diner and that changed the way that I presented a dish and plated it up.