Conversations
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Chris Bonello at MPD Steak Kitchen
Usually I prefer to talk in person to chefs, but today I had a chat on the phone to Chris Bonello out at MPD Steak Kitchen in Berwick. Chris has such a wonderful energy and enthusiasm that it almost felt as though it was in person. He painted such a vivid picture for me of his childhood…
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Matt Waldron at Lulo
A local that riffs on traditional South American dishes, is dedicated to the owner chef’s wife, Michelle, and has two happy hour sessions on weekend nights? Um, yes please. I think it's fair to say that Matt Waldron is nailing it at Lulo in Hawthorn. How long has Lulo been open, Matt? 12 years. Wow.…
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Kirra Parsons at Cardigan Place Cellars
I learned so much from chatting to Kirra. Actually, my mind was completely blown about 12 minutes into the conversation as Kirra patiently tried to explain Le Petit Chef interactive dining. But Kirra, herself, even without the fancy eating adventure that goes on upstairs from the wine cellar, is a super impressive chef, who soaked…
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Sainyam Kapoor at Ish
Sainyam has packed a lot of experience into the ten years he has been working as a chef and he is keen for the Melbourne public to go beyond butter chicken and tikka masala and explore some other flavours. That’s what he is offering at newly opened Ish, a modern-ish and Indian-ish restaurant in Fitzroy.…
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Zane Heemi at Sibling
I think Zane was a little unsure of what he had struck when I swept into Sibling on a Monday afternoon and started quoting his blog to him. Conversation with a chef was going down some sort of monologue by the conversationalist track while the chef patiently listened. But Zane’s writing is superb and I…
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Martin Goffin at Red Gum BBQ
Martin and his wife, Melissa, are living the dream. They own and run Red Gum BBQ in Red Hill, a burgeoning foodie destination on the Mornington Peninsula. Martin wasn't always the pit master he is today. He worked for local government, but a visit to a barbecue joint just out of Miami sealed his fate.…
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Ikuei Arakane at Omi
Ikuei Arakane or Kinsan as he is affectionately known is a hard-working and passionate chef who has built a reputation for his commitment and energy. Long an advocate and event organiser for Iron Chf in Australia, Kinsan has been head chef in renowned Melbourne and Hobart restaurants and continues to lend his expertise to projects…
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Coskun Uysal at Tulum
When I walk into Tulum, Coskun greets me with a kiss on each cheek, “Turkish style”. Softly spoken, and welcoming, this is a man with a story to tell, and there is nothing I like more than a good story. As with all good stories (as far as I am concerned) this one involves childhood…
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Andrew Ibrahim at The Fish & Burger Co.
It's not very often I go to Doncaster. But Andrew Ibrahim is a Doncaster local and he knew what Doncaster needed; a cool place with great food and great service and which didn't mean a trip tp the city. Enter The Fish & Burger Co. a restaurant and bar which combines Andrew's background in hospitality,…
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Sandra Foti at Piccolina
Sandra and I sit outside the Piccolina on Smith Street in the warm sun with the bells from the passing trams competing with the really great music Sandra has on inside. I knew we would talk about gelato. I hadn’t really thought about us talking about the importance of family connections and persisting with tradition,…