Conversations
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Tom Jones-Davies at DOC St. Kilda
What a delight to sit down with Tom Jones-Davies at DOC St. Kilda. Tom grew up in Wales hunting rabbits with his dad and tweaking his mother's cooking when she left the room. He is a curious chef who never wants to stop learning and whenever he has time on his hands, he will be…
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Anna Kelly McLeod at The Kitchen of Somewhere
The Kitchen of Somewhere isadeeply personal story of how food shapes our connection to place, the environment and most importantly our understanding of who we are.Itweaves a narrative inspired by a plum-velvet, covered notebook found by Anna shortly after hermother's passing by suicide.The notebook was bursting with stories of hermother'stravels, and the recipes shecollected along…
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Winston Zhang at Akaiito
Owners of Akaiito, Winston Zhang and Christine Chen are the loveliest people. I first spoke to them when Akaiito opened in 2019 and the basement bar, now known as Otoro is my go to when Im in the city and want a great cocktail, made with a bit of theatre and a great atmosphere. The…
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Patrick Kwong & Cindy Pan at Ronin Omakase
Partners in life and love, Patrick Kwong and Cindy Pan opened Ronin Omakase almost two years ago in the space that was previously occupied by Massi and for a millisecond, Cucina Povera. The high-ceilinged industrial slab feel of the room serves as the perfect backdrop for Patrick to shine and shine he does. Patrick learned…
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Greg Feck at Marnong Estate
There are a lot of things I love about doing Conversation with a chef, but the main one is the people I get to meet. It is such a joy and a privilege for me to be able to sit down with people and hear their story and I always come away feeling as though…
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Brigitte Hafner at Tedesca Osteria
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is an annual event to support a personal vision for the world of food, demonstrating how food can have a positive impact on society at large through ethical and sustainable food practices. When it comes to choosing the judges for this prestigious award, the Academy looks for chefs who…
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Tommaso Bartoli at Park Street Past & Wine
Tommaso Bartoli is a passionate chef who learned to cook in Florence but felt a love for food and cooking much earlier on when he watched his mother and other family members cook. He talked about coming in from soccer training, smelling his mother's cooking and running up the stairs. After working for a few…
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Valentino Melas & Nika Perc at Sardo Sorrento
I drove to Sorrento on a sunny autumn day just as owners Nika, Stefano and Valentino were moving things from their original venue, Bardo a few doors down to their recently opened Sardo. I immediately felt like one of the family as Nika made me espresso and I sat down to chat with her and…
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Alessandro Bellomunno at Flour Child
I went in to Flour Child as day was turning to night. Through the huge windows upstairs on Acland Street, the panorama of palm trees, the Luna Park rollercoaster and the setting sun is perfect. Where else would you want to be? As I waited to talk with executive chef, Alessandro Bellomunno, I chatted to…
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Larry Xie at Bansho Dining
Larry Xie is here for a good time and that's what he wants for guests to Bansho as well. He is the epitome of hospitality and is constantly seeking ways to learn more about food and wine and to welcome his guests with warmth and conviviality. No stranger to hospitality, Larry grew up with a…