MILDURA councillor and celebrity cook Stefano de Pieri has been fined and placed on a good behaviour bond for a "brain fart" when he misused his position on council in an attempt to influence the appointment of its chief executive officer.

Mildura Magistrates' Court heard de Pieri, who was recognised in this year's King's Birthday honours for service to the Mildura community and to the hospitality industry, tried to provide advice