Conversations
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Ian Curley at The European Group
I’m sitting in the Cheese Cave down the spiral staircase below Spring Street Grocer chatting to Ian Curley, the man behind some of Melbourne’s most well-loved restaurants and bars (The European, City Wine Shop, French Saloon, Kirk’s Wine Bar, Melbourne Supper Club, Siglo, Spring Street Grocer). Sometimes conversations can start pretty awkwardly but this was…
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Shannon Martinez at Smith and Daughters
Talking to Shannon Martinez is like being caught up in an incredibly exciting ride on a very colourful journey. So infectious is her zeal for life and her love of sharing good food with everyone, that, having spent time with her and had a peep into her world, I couldn’t help feeling as though I…
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Daniel Wilson at Huxtaburger
Another Kiwi making his mark on the Melbourne food scene, Daniel Wilson earned his stripes in the States and then reached for the stars in Melbourne. He was rewarded early on, jointly winning The Age 2003 Good Food Guide Young Chef of the Year and then continued his trajectory gaining hats at now closed Huxtable,…
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Philippa Sibley at Syracuse
Melbourne loves Philippa Sibley. We follow her every move closely to see where next she will craft her delicious food. Having worked in Michelin starred restaurants in London and France, Philippa very happily calls Melbourne home and has carved her own 'yummy' niche here. Did you always know you wanted to be a chef or was…
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Kam McManamey at Rock Sugar
Kam McManamey has become something of an expert chilli wrangler. He can do things with Thai flavours that are rarely seen outside Thailand and he does it with style. Having previously strutted his stuff at Botherambo and BangPop, his focus at the relatively new Rock Sugar in South Yarra is on the street food of Isaan…
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Thi Le at Anchovy
Thi Le is my favourite chef. Her way with flavour is astounding. Eating at her restaurant, Anchovy, is like embarking on a voyage of discovery where every dish that arrives on your table is your new favourite. Thi is also co-founder of The Dinner Project, an Australian not-for-profit venture, raising money for charities through dinners created by…
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Michael Slade at The Northern Git
Michael Slade loves being a chef. After chatting about his culinary journey, he cooked up a feast for me and the photographer, Juan. “How will you have an understanding of who I am and what my food is about, if you don’t taste it?” he asked. How long have you been cooking? Jeez. I was…
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Hayden McMillan at The Roving Marrow
Brainchild of Head Chef Hayden McMillan who crossed the ditch from Auckland and joined forces with Sydney restaurateur, Darran Smith, The Roving Marrow offers fine dining yum cha and promises something just that little bit different. Hayden chatted to me just three months after he arrived and explained the concept and talked to me about his…
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Nicky Riemer at Union Dining
Nicky Riemer was in her element at Union Dining. Running her own kitchen allowed her to bring together all the flavours she loves and memories of other great dining experiences she has had and share that with her diners. Unfortunately as is with the way with all good things, after five years of goodness, Nicky…
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Adam Liston at Northern Light
The kind of food Adam Liston served up at Northern Light is the kind of food he likes to eat himself; Asian flavours done well. Adam has now returned to his home-town, Adelaide, after a decade of perfecting his Asian Barbecue skills and bringing great yakitori to the people. You started cooking at 15. Was that’s something you fell…