Conversations
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Sunny Gilbert at Hofbrahaus
What a wild and impressive ride of a career. When I went in to chat to Sunny Gilbert at the Hofbrauhaus, I did not expect to hear about cooking whole crocodiles in a bread oven in China. A career as a chef can certainly take you places. Sunny hadn't planned on being a chef, but…
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Grace Loke at RMIT
Grace Loke is a PhD student at RMIT in Melbourne and is co-lead in a team of researchers exploring the role of our sensory perception in the way we enjoy eating. More specifically, they are looking at the reasons why astronauts report meals taste bland in space and as a result are failing to eat…
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Jessie Rae Crossley at Locavore Studio
A couple of months ago I ate at Locavore Studio and it was glorious. For a start, the dining room is beautiful with its cathedral ceiling and rich and textural nature mural by local graphic artists Sonsie Studios. Head chef Ryan Lynch is putting up delicious dishes that reflect the seasons and the region. Most…
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Andrea Rigodanza at Gnocchi by Rigo
Andrea Rigodanza is an Italian chef from Vicenza where he learnt how to cook in his family's restaurant. After a short apprenticeship in a 3 Michelin restaurant, he decided to move to Sydney and eventually on to Melbourne. Andrea has been in Australia for more than 8 years and last year decided to start his…
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Federico Bizzaro at Bottarga
I love it when people get in touch with me and suggest chefs to talk to. Robert, a retired chef got in touch with me and suggested Bottarga as a local gem with a solid chef. ChefFederico Bizzaro and his partner and wine expert Somi Paremanee openedBottarga in 2021 and when I read more about…
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Diana Desensi at Saint George
Diana Desensi is an incredible chef and a lovely person. I have heard her name so often from other chefs I have spoken to who hold her in high esteem, and it was so refreshing to sit down with her at Saint George and hear how highly she regards the chefs that she has worked…
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Kabir Singh at Mukka
Owning one restaurant, let alone two with a vision for even more was not part of the plan when Kabir Singh came to Australia for a month-long stay from New Delhi in 2020. Now Singh, as his regulars call him, is a Fitzroy local with a huge heart for the neighbourhood, for hospitality and for…
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Anthony Thalassinos at Tickled Pink
I last spoke to Anthony Thalassinos when he was newly head chef at The Hellenic House Project. Anthony is enthusiastic and passionate and it is no wonder he has been snapped up by Project North Hospitality Group who oversee Tickled Pink venues in Elwood, Thornbury and Bali and well as a dessert bar in Coolaroo.…
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Michael Wilson at Marguerite
When I was asked if I'd like to talk to Michael Wilson, chef patron at Michelin Star fine dining restaurant Marguerite as well as Hortus in the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome in Singapore I of course said yes. Then I got nervous. Michael trained in Melbourne under Guy Grossi and Andrew McConnell before…
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Dan Sawansak at Dessous
If you have not been to Dessous, you are missing out. I say this with absolute certainty, because I, like you, had absolutely been missing out until I went and spoke to head chef Dan Sawansak and then spent a glorious evening completely in his hands with the 'Leave it to us' menu, my favourite…