Conversations
-
Hori Shinshuke, Jason Yong & Wataru Sato at Wagyu Ya Teppanyaki
I went to have a chat to head chef, Jason Yong at Wagyu Ya Teppenyaki at The Glen. Now I hadn't been to The Glen before, so rookie mistake, I followed Google Maps which led me to a carpark that ended up being at the polar opposite end of the mall and I did spend…
-
Diego Cardenas at Pincho Disco
Pincho Disco is a fun new Latin American restaurant in Collingwood helmed by Colombian chef, Diego Cardenas. I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening a couple of weeks ago and it was wild. Guests stepped up to the dress code wearing a splash of colour and from the moment we entered Pincho,…
-
Natalie Jefferson at Camberwell Girls Grammar School
Natalie Jefferson is passionate about food and keen to share that passion with others. After years in kitchens in Melbourne and London and a long stint running her own cafe, Our Kitchen Table, Nat has taken a side step into the kitchen of our Food Studies Department at school. You can imagine my reaction when…
-
Justin Dingle-Garciyya at The Standard, Melbourne
I don't know about you, but the luxury hotel world feels like another dimension to me; a glamourous, celebrity-filled world. Then there are the people behind the scenes who make it all happen. My only insight into their world is through White Lotus, The Night Manager and The Grand Budapest Hotel, which are documentaries, right?…
-
Stephanie Stapleton at Ms Jackson Restaurant
Stephanie Stapleton grew up on the Mornington Peninsula and spent her childhood hanging out in kitchens with her chef dad. For her, kitchens are about home and family and it is clear that she lives and breathes hospitality. Stephanie started her career on the peninsula, most recently working at hatted restaurants Jackalope and Montalto before…
-
Zackary & Jake Furst at Cinder
I had a lovely chat to Jake Furst earlier this year and then an incredible wine lunch at Cinder, one of the restaurants he oversees. I have also been wanting to talk to his younger brother, Zackary, head chef at Bar Liberty for a while so when I saw they were collaborating on a four-course…
-
Alessandro Tintori at Sosta Ristorante
Alessandro Tintori grew up on a farm in Tuscany and so when he talks about cooking with the seasons, it's not just a cliche, it's a way of life. Having started his chef-life in Italy, with a two-year stint in London, and some time in Sydney, luckily for us, Alex now calls Melbourne home. After…
-
Claudio Casoni at Officina Gastronomica Italiana
I had dinner at Officina Gastronomica Italiana a couple of weeks ago and loved everything about it, from the exposed brick walls to the art deco lighting to the wall of wine. The food and wine were delicious too, but the thing I loved most about Officina Gastronomica Italiana was owner Claudio Casoni and the…
-
Nada Thomas at Her
Nada Thomas is the new head chef at Her. It turns out I actually know her sister-in-law and when I mentioned I had chatted to Nada, Belinda described her as a "pocket rocket, and we love her." Nada exudes love for cooking and hospitality. She loves what she does, loves her team and it feels…
-
Mariana Chedid at Brulee Patisserie
Mariana Chedid is an exquisite patissiere. She also wants to change the world for the better, starting with the people she meets on her life journey as well as those she works with and who come into Brulee Patisserie in Port Melbourne. Mariana discovered a love for cooking by accident when she was working in…