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  • Chris Rendell at The Beehive

    Originally from Adelaide, Chris Rendell grew up in Melbourne and started chef life as an apprentice under Robert Castellani at Carmine's before heading to Sydney and working for Neil Perry at the Rock Pool Group's Star Grill and then at Christine Manfield's iconic The Paramount in Potts Point. After four years in London working with…

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  • Santiago Sansone at Four Seasons Hotel

    Santiago Sansone is one of 10 talented young chefs who have been selected for the 2024 Pacific Region S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition. Santiago works as Chef de Partie at the Four Seasons in Sydney, and he was put forward for the competition by the Executive chef. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santiago grew up…

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  • Annie Smithers at Kitchen Sentimental

    I've spoken to Annie a few times now, and Annie was actually one of the very first conversations with a chef that I had before the podcast even came about and I was writing for community newspaper, the Northsider. I always love talking to Annie and I value her generosity in what she's willing to…

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  • Matilde Razzoli at Elio’s Place

    Elio's Place is an all-day European-inspired bistro in historic Flinders House on Flinders Lane by Adam and Elisa Mariani, masterminds behind CBD hotspots Greta and Maverick.The bistro's name pays homage to the siblings' late father, Elio, who cherished good meals and engaging conversations. Right up my alley. And you couldn't ask for a better head…

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  • John Cassie at The Wine Corner Store

    Walking up Canning Street to The Wine Corner Store on a sunny day is joyous. There are people sitting at outside tables and lounging on the grass strip in the middle of the road with bottles of wine and snacks, catching up with friends and enjoying the tease of a possible early spring. It's a…

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  • Aleksis Kalnins at Molli

    When I first met Aleksis Kalnins, I was writing a First Look story for Broadsheet about Molli. It was the afternoon of the soft opening and Aleks took me on a super fast tour of the kitchen, restaurant and up to the rooftop to admire the raised garden beds. He talked about the food he…

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  • Ryan Spurrell at The Clarendon

    The Tiffy Group is known for its imaginative venues which transcend the ordinary. As Executive chef for the group, he oversees Goldilocks Rooftop Bar, House of Correction, Lost Boys, The Clarendon and latest Snow White inspired beauty, Mirror Mirror Rooftop Lounge. I spoke to Ryan in The Clarendon which has recently been renovated and is…

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  • Gagan Sharma at Strato Melbourne

    I was lucky enough to be invited to stay at Oakwood Premier Melbourne in Southbank for two nights. We stayed on the 37thfloor in a glorious one bedroom apartment with a view out across the river and the city to the Richmond, Kew and even a glimpse of the Dandenongs. Everything looks different from so…

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  • Brendan Gamze at Gamze Smokehouse

    When I was asked whether I would like to try Gamze Smokehouse's Gold Bacon and chat to Brendan Gamze about the process behind it as well as the philosophy behind the family owned and operated Smokehouse, I was thrilled. Gamze Smokehouse was started by Felix Gamze, Brendan's father, who migrated to Australia with his parents…

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  • Orlando Marzo at Drinks by Loro

    I met Orlando Marzo when I was writing about Joe Vargetto's Bianchetto and Orlando was curating the drinks list. Orlando is passionate about what he does and a great storyteller. When I ran into him again at the Little Food Market recently and he suggested catching up to tell me his story and take me…

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