Conversations
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Francesco Crifo at Roccella
Francesco Crifo is a passionate advocate of pizza. He describes himself as a pizza chef and not a pizza maker and says that despite the abundance of pizza restaurants in Melbourne, there is still a real lack of knowledge about pizza, their bases, flours, toppings, and potential. To this end he has established his pizza…
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Stephen Nairn at Yugen Dining, Yugen Tea Bar, Omni Bar & Bistro
Stephen Nairn is the epitome of the passionate chef. His love for food, the industry, his team and for always learning more is palpable. I had spoken to Stephen over the phone for Broadsheet when Yugen Dining opened and quite frankly I was grinning like a lunatic on the other end of the line because…
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Ranger Nick at Camp Oven Guru
When I was asked if I'd like to have a chat to camp oven guru, Ranger Nick, I leapt at the chance. How could I not? Ranger Nick is a celebrity TV cook on Channel 7 Mates 'Step Outside with Paul Burt', he is a Guinness Book world record holder for the longest damper, and…
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Jake Furst at Cinder
Jake Furst is head chef of Cinder, the elegant fire-driven restaurant in Fitzroy North's 150-year-old pub, The Terminus Hotel, and also executive chef of the Kickon Group, a hospitality group that runs large scale, high-end venues in Melbourne, Sorrento, and Queensland. Since the Group took over the Terminus, they have completely renovated it, creating a…
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Lewis Bryce at Hotel South Melbourne
Lewis Bryce has had a fairly cinematic life so far, at least I think he has. Picture this: Cornwall, a small town on the coast, a young guy, spurred on by stories told by Australians on their big OE in the UK, dreams of adventure on the other side of the world and sets off…
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Steven Nelson at The Recreation Bistro & Bottleshop
What an absolute pleasure to speak to Steven Nelson at The Recreation Bistro and Bottleshop. I mean, anyone who describes their zucchini as gorgeous and affectionately describes the way they are left to run free in a field as they grow has to be a good person by definition. Certainly a thoughtful person, and the…
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Jane Low at Bahama Gold
If I had had to choose a chef to talk to, if not on International Women's Day, but around that time Jane Low is it. Jane is a passionate chef. One of those chefs who always knew this is what she wanted to do. Jane incorporates her Chinese background and Malaysian upbringing, mixing that in…
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Mark Krueger at Mejico
Mark Krueger is group head chef of restaurants Mejico and Indu in the city.Mark has an extensive background in the culinary field, having worked under and alongside, some of the world's most renowned chefs at several iconic restaurants and hotels. From Melbourne to the Maldives, Thailand and the Yarra Valley, Mark has continued to foster…
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Renee Martillano at Eureka 89
Yesterday I rode 89 floors in an elevator to Eureka 89, the restaurant one floor above the Melbourne Skydeck to talk to the glorious Renee Martillano, Executive chef. The Skydeck is the Southern Hemisphere's highest observation deck and the tower itself is 297.3 metres tall with 91 floors. So the 89thfloor is a long way…
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Jack Cassidy at KIN All Saints Estate
KIN is the glorious restaurant housed in All Saints Estate's 1864 heritage-listed castle in Rutherglen, and is an ode to family by siblings Eliza, Nick and Angela Brown. Kin offers modern destination dining with a menu inspired by family recipes and childhood memories, plus the best local and Estate produce and it is helmed by…