Conversations
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Diana Chan at 2017 MasterChef Australia Winner
I must admit to being slightly starstruck when talking to Diana Chan today. And when I say slightly, please read, enormously. Diana is the 2017 MasterChef Australia winner and beams a sunny and positive presence out through her social platforms. So, you can imagine my excitement when PR company, Harvey Taylor got in touch to…
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Nabila Kadri at The Lucas Group
Nabila and I have been trying to catch up for months. Lockdowns and life threw everything in our path. So, by the time we had coffee on Domain Road, South Yarra, I did feel as though I was catching up with an old friend. But Nabila is like that, a breath of fresh air and…
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Vishal Rawal at Babylonia Fitzroy
Babylonia Fitzroy, on their website and at their entrance on Smith Street, invites you to "enter into enchantment". Owners Prawin John Peter and Geoffrey Sage have created their own little oasis down in Fitzroy, complete with a lush outdoor garden courtyard and waterfall wall feature and a cosy front dining room with green leather banquettes,…
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Guillaume Brahimi at Bistro Guillaume
I was so excited to be able to talk to Guillaume Brahimi in the month his Melbourne restaurant, Bistro Guillaume celebrates its 10 year anniversary. I knew all about Guillaume having watched with delight, his five minute Plat du Tour episodes which aired on SBS during the Tour de France and featured famous dishes from…
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Adam Woodfield at Salted Egg
I spent a very happy 40 minutes hanging off Adam Woodfield's every word when we sat down to chat at Salted Egg in newly opened Quincy Hotel in the CBD. Then I spent another very lovely 40 minutes eating some of his food, as he sent out Coffin Bay oyster with red nahm jim, smoked…
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Joe Vargetto at Massi & Mister Bianco
I often have to pinch myself that all these incredible chefs are happy to sit down and chat to me. I'm very lucky. Sometimes I contact a chef I'd like to talk to and then on the way to the chat, I have that whole imposter syndrome thing where I think, hang on a minute,…
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Narender Godala at Swadist Indian Craft Kitchen
When I walked into Swadist Indian Craft Kitchen, Narender Godala was preparing a tea of fresh ginger, turmeric, lemon and honey. It smelled delicious and when he gave me a glass of it afterwards, I could absolutely feel the goodness coursing through my veins. Narender started his working life in India in IT but when…
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Dylan Kemp at Australian Venue Co.
When I got in touch with Dylan Kemp, he was just about to leave Melbourne for Queensland where he has relocated to open a new venue in Kings Beach. We resolved to chat once he was settled, and I was impressed when he got in touch just a couple of days after arriving to make…
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Gabriel Alonso at Back Alley Bakes
I was surprised to learn that it has been four or five years since I last spoke to Gabriel Alonso at Juliet Melbourne. Time certainly flies when you're having fun. I loved talking to Gabs back then and hearing about his love for hospitality and it was so lovely to be able to talk to…
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David Dellai at Il Bacaro
David Dellai and I have honestly been trying for weeks to sit down together for a chat and all sorts of lockdowns and other things got in the way. But it was absolutely worth the wait to sit down with David and talk about his love of food and cooking, which stems back to when…