Listen & Subscribe
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
SoundCloud-
David Yang at Nong Tang Noodle House
A couple of weeks ago, I had the best dumplings and noodles I’ve ever tasted. Nong Tang Noodle House was such a lovely little surprise. Run by David Yang and his mother, Nong Tang is down an arcade off Bourke Street and you have to walk past iPhone shops and Ramen joints to get to…
-
Dan Pegg at Chacho’s
Chacho’s is a new place in Windsor touting Mexican pizzas. Intriguing. We all love a bit of fusion, right? One Dan [Xerri] came up with the idea and brought another Dan in to execute it. Described by other writers as a pizza guru, Dan Pegg himself is much more self-effacing and certainly acknowledges the input…
-
Punit Fernandes at Elichi
Elichi is a beautiful Indian restaurant in Black Rock. Through the window I can see the sea. Punit jokes that he will be able to go over there in summer on his breaks. Punit’s eyes light up talking about his journey as a chef and all the things he has learned and continues to learn.…
-
Eitan Doron at Half Acre
Eitan Doron is in at Half Acre 24/7 at the moment. Even when it's closed. Such is his desire to get everything right and create the kind of hospitality we all dream of where food, service and ambiance blend together to create harmony. Eitan gave me a lot to think about. I love it when…
-
Jenna North at Lucy Liu
Jenna North has worked her way up through the ranks to most recently becoming head chef at Lucy Liu. Makes sense when you think about it; a restaurant called Lucy Liu deserves a strong female presence in the kitchen. This was Jenna’s first chat with the media and I appreciated her openness and honesty. Hi…
-
Nick Mahlook at The Atlantic
The sun streams in through the huge windows where I’m seated at The Atlantic on Southbank. Queen of all I survey, and despite fantastic views of the Yarra and Melbourne city, I’m distracted by the array of fish and seafood dishes coming out of Nick Mahlook’s kitchen. Tasmanian oysters with red wine vinaigrette, raw and…
-
Blayne Bertoncello at O.MY Restaurant
When I arrive at the farm in Cardinia, Blayne is out on the rotary hoe. Blayne is the head chef at O.MY, the restaurant he owns and runs with his brother, Chase, in Beaconsfield, and he is absolutely the poster guy for living life like it’s golden. He exudes joy, satisfaction and vision and I…
-
Daniel Salcedo at Citrico
As soon as I walked into Citrico Daniel started talking and enthusiastically showing me around the restaurant. This beautiful two storied space in Fitzroy North is absolutely worth the tour. Daniel generously gave me an hour of his time as he talked about his love of cooking, his desire to share the Peruvian food of…
-
John Paul Twomey at The Carlton Wine Room
John Paul showed me round the beautifully revamped Carlton Wine Room after our chat and I can see I will have to come back multiple times just to dine in all the different spaces. Either that or do some kind of progressive dinner and just move around between dishes. John Paul is one of those…
-
Khanh Nguyen at Sunda
Khanh Nguyen is a thoughtful and driven chef who has worked to a plan and done a great deal of research to get to where he is now, at , quietly but extraordinarily powerfully making a sweeping mark on the Melbourne hospitality scene. Taking inspiration from his mentors in some of the best kitchens in…