Instrumental Jazz-Funk Group (2017-present)

Surprise Chef is an instrumental band from Coburg, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, formed in 2017 by guitarist Lachlan Stuckey and keyboardist Jethro Curtin, who met at music school. They founded College of Knowledge Records and established a studio and art space in Coburg, developing their sound in creative isolation. The lineup includes Stuckey on guitar, Curtin on keyboards and organ, Carl Lindeberg on bass, Andrew Congues on drums, and Hudson Whitlock on percussion and production. Influenced by David Axelrod, Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, and labels like Daptone and Truth & Soul, they record live to tape. Their debut album All News Is Good News was recorded in 2019. Daylight Savings was released in 2020, both albums released internationally via Mr Bongo. They toured North American and European festivals in 2022 and signed to Big Crown Records. Their fourth album Superb was released in 2025.