Conversations
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Sascha Rust at GoodFish Project
There are ways that some things can be done and more and more people are looking at the gaps in our knowledge and in what we are doing to ensure that what we are doing is ethical and responsible. It’s about being more considerate about what we are doing whether we are in a restaurant…
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Jack Stuart at Congress
Congress has been around for just over a year, gracing the corner of Peel and Wellington Streets in Collingwood. Jack Stuart stepped in as head chef from the start and has been plating up delicious food ever since. Jack is a stickler for quality and has chosen suppliers who favour one thing and do it…
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Master Chef Jack Aw Yong at Silks, Crown Melbourne
I sat down in the opulent Silks restaurant at Crown Melbourne with Chef Jack Aw Yong, renowned as the global godfather of Chinese cuisine. This month he is sharing with the lucky Melbourne dining public, his passion and talent garnered from years of hard work, determination and creativity. Chef Jack is a storyteller and I was treated…
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Elliott Pinn at Rascal
When I was doing some reading about Elliott before going to chat to him, I discovered that, not only is he from Christchurch, but he went to school in the same part of town as me, albeit years after me…! I mention age, only because Elliott might be young in years, but he has had…
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Nicola Dusi at The Hardware Club
When I walked through the door of The Hardware Club, Nicola greeted me like an old friend and revealed that he’s a big fan of my podcast and knew that he was the 202nd conversation I’d had. That made me happy and I felt happier still, perched up at the bar and hearing all Nicola’s stories…
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Nathan Scarfo at Risi
Nathan Scarfo is set to open his first solo venture, Risi in Moonee Ponds in March next year. Full of personality, it's clear from the moment you meet him that Nathan loves life, hospitality, and cooking Italian food. This is one of those conversations that would definitely have been great as a video because of…
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Sandy Melgalvis at Common Ground Project
I drove out to Common Ground Project, a not-for-profit café at Freshwater Creek, just out of Geelong on a balmy spring day. Sandy and I sat outside surrounded by chooks, raised garden beds and children running around in the sun. I had been wanting to talk to Sandy for a while because her name kept…
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Alex Davies at Gatherings
When I went into Gatherings, Alex apologised for the mess, saying it had been a big night the night before. It wasn’t messy and I loved the way Alex’s eyes lit up as he described giving over his space to Mitchell Teirney and Josh Hunter for their dinner: Know the whakapapa (origin/story) of your kai…
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Flip Grater at Grater Goods
Flip Grater is an impressive woman. She is an incredible singer-songwriter who has toured the world several times, she has produced four albums and an EP, with one of those albums produced in Paris, she has two cookbooks under her belt and with husband, Youssef has, perhaps most importantly created a beautiful little daughter, but…
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Dan Hawkins at Prince Dining Room
When I arrive at Prince Dining to talk to Executive chef Dan Hawkins, the dulcet tones of a jackhammer greet me and I’m pretty sure my face said it all. Sensing my alarm at competing with construction for a conversation, the lovely Prince Hotel staff took Dan and I up to one of their beautiful…