Conversations
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Tyler Preston at Longtime Bali
Tyler Preston is a passionate chef who discovered his love for cooking at just 12 years old in Wellington. After graduating high school, he moved to Melbourne at 18 to start his culinary adventure. With over 20 years of experience, Tyler began his career at the iconic Vegie Bar in Fitzroy, mastering the art of…
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Matteo Tine at Orlo
I last spoke to Matteo Tine in 2018 at his now closed restaurant, Mr Ottorino, and when I looked back over that chat, Id mentioned that Matteo started talking as soon as I walked in, that his enthusiasm was contagious and that talking to him felt like a really fun ride. Nothing has changed. I…
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Aiven Lee at Yum Sing House
Evolving from its original iteration when it opened in 2021, at Yum Sing House the spotlight is no longer on the karaoke upstairs, although you can certainly still belt out the hits should you wish, but the focus is now the culinary experience downstairs. Helmed by Malaysian-born Head Chef, Aiven Leewho was head chef at…
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Paramjit Singh Ahuja & Gurpreet Singh at Divine Darbar
I sat down with brothers, co-owners and chefs Parmjit Singh Ahuja and Gurpreet Singh to talk about their restaurant Divine Darbar. They made me a delicious chai and talked about growing up in New Delhi and how food was a central part of their family but that they had never intended to become chefs. Parmjit…
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Steven He at Le Yeahllow
Le Yeahllow is a happy place. It's bright and light and the display cases, like a jeweller's, are full of gleaming treasures. Owner Samsky Yeung who also founded White Mojo coffee shops, opened Le Yeahllow in 2021when he took over the former Adriano Zumbo Patisserie space inSouth Yarra and started baking and delivering cakes around…
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Julian Hills at Navi
This is a bonus episode in the truffles series with Julian Hills from Navi, who kindly had a second attempt at a chat with me after my equipment failed the first time through.In 2023,Julianwas named Good Food Guide'sChefof the Year, and Navi has maintained its Two Hat-status as of 2024. Julian is a creative and…
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Rocco Esposito & Salvatore Giorgio at Bar Rosella
It is always lovely to catch up with chefs and see what they are up to. I first met Salvatore Giorgio when he was at Bar Bambi and then I had my 300th chef chat with him when he was out at Marnong Estate. Salvatore has been working in kitchens since he was 11 years…
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Gabriele Coniglio on Truffles at Officina Gastronomica Italiana
The final instalment on my truffles series is the chat I had with Gabriele Coniglio at Officine Gastronomica Italiana in Prahran. Gabriele comes from Torino which is an hours drive from the Italian truffle capital of Alba, so he grew up with truffles and he loves them. The restaurant will be hosting a Piedmontese night…
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Ryan Lynch on Truffles at Locavore Studio
Originally from Nelson in Aotearoa, New Zealand, head chef Ryan Lynch is doing creative things out in the Yarra Valley at Locavore Studio. I was lucky enough to be invited to dinner out there and the way he treats local produce is glorious. I was sure Ryan would have some things to say about truffles…
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Mark Ebbels on Truffles at Re’Em
I spoke to Mark Ebbels a while ago when he was head chef at TarraWarra in the Yarra Valley. Hes still out in that beautiful area, and most recently has been working on menu creation and set up at Re'Em part of the Helen and Joey estate. Mark is a passionate and creative chef with…