Conversations

Stephanie Stapleton grew up on the Mornington Peninsula and spent her childhood hanging out in kitchens with her chef dad. For her, kitchens are about home and family and it is clear that she lives and breathes hospitality. Stephanie started her career on the peninsula, most recently working at hatted restaurants Jackalope and Montalto before…

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I had a lovely chat to Jake Furst earlier this year and then an incredible wine lunch at Cinder, one of the restaurants he oversees. I have also been wanting to talk to his younger brother, Zackary, head chef at Bar Liberty for a while so when I saw they were collaborating on a four-course…

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Alessandro Tintori grew up on a farm in Tuscany and so when he talks about cooking with the seasons, it's not just a cliche, it's a way of life. Having started his chef-life in Italy, with a two-year stint in London, and some time in Sydney, luckily for us, Alex now calls Melbourne home. After…

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I had dinner at Officina Gastronomica Italiana a couple of weeks ago and loved everything about it, from the exposed brick walls to the art deco lighting to the wall of wine. The food and wine were delicious too, but the thing I loved most about Officina Gastronomica Italiana was owner Claudio Casoni and the…

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Nada Thomas is the new head chef at Her. It turns out I actually know her sister-in-law and when I mentioned I had chatted to Nada, Belinda described her as a "pocket rocket, and we love her." Nada exudes love for cooking and hospitality. She loves what she does, loves her team and it feels…

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Mariana Chedid is an exquisite patissiere. She also wants to change the world for the better, starting with the people she meets on her life journey as well as those she works with and who come into Brulee Patisserie in Port Melbourne. Mariana discovered a love for cooking by accident when she was working in…

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I spoke to Martin Goffin about 4 years ago and it was a pleasure driving out to Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula again to see how he is going and whats happening now for Red Gum BBQ. Originally from the east coast of England, Martin discovered a love for barbecue through his American-born wife,…

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Today I'm talking to Adam Mumford from Soult, salt with soul, a premium flavoured salt that gives back to the community. 100% of their profits go to Mental Health Charities or Foundations that focus on post suicide support and suicide prevention. In Australia, this is Standby and Mental Wheels and Healthy Heads in Trucks and…

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James Gibson is the loveliest man. He exudes warmth, friendliness and absolute passion for food and chef life. Originally from Leeds, James got into the kitchen as a way to get out of school and hasnt looked back. After six years working for the Arbory crew and working his way up through the ranks, he…

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Anthony Femia is a cheesemonger. Not just any cheesemonger, but an internationally recognised cheesemonger who regularly sets off on wandering cheesemonger trips around the world and in 2018 was the first Australian cheesemonger to be invited to the caves of Marcel Petite in the Jura mountains in France to select his very own flavour profile…

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