Deep in the Weeds - A Food Podcast with Anthony Huckstep

As a third-generation restaurateur, hospitality is in Heaven Leigh's (Bodhi Restaurant and Bar) blood. After taking on a huge site in one of Sydney’s most famous parks, Heaven set about creating the latest plant-based restaurant in Australia. Two decades on and the plant-based movement has gained massive traction, and thanks to continually innovating and evolving, Bodhi remains at the forefront. h...

Is there a fish that invokes as much National pride as the mighty Barramundi? Although it is a species that occupies a wide geographic range, from the Arabian Gulf to China and Taiwan, Papua New Guinea and all across Northern Australia, it is the Northern Territory that is the cultural, some might say spiritual home of this mighty fish. Bob Richards and Julie Tyson are the tireless pioneers of Bar...

Nick Brown is a fourth generation vigneron at All Saints Estate, a true family owned and operated business. Nick joins me to tell me more about working in a tight knit family operation in one of the most important regions of Australian, The Rutherglen. https://www.allsaintswine.com.au Follow Over a Glass https://www.instagram.com/overtheglasspod Host Shanteh Wale https://www.instagram.com/shantehw...

After falling into the industry to earn a bit of money, Megan Rhoades-Brown (Muse Kitchen) fell in love with the energy and connections made in the hospital game. After learning her craft she was part of the dynamic duo that brought Muse Dining to life in the Hunter Valley and raised the bar for regional dining. Now she’s owns and runs two very different versions of Muse Kitchen in regional NSW an...

It’s hard to fathom but it’s been almost 2 years since we last caught up with Sharon Salloum, who at the time was running award-winning Almond Bar and 3 Tomatoes Cafe with her sister. So much has changed for so many since 2020, including Sharon who has experienced some of the biggest changes in her life for the better. https://www.3tomatoescafe.com Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www...

Growing up in a Greek family in South Australia Billy Petropoulos (Billy’s Table) experienced incredible feasts and stunning produce throughout his childhood. Although surrounded by quality food, he didn’t have a great interest in food and no one was more surprised than his parents when he announced he’d train to be a chef. But once he pulled on the chef whites something changed, and he began a jo...

Nigel Wood grows truffles at Truffle Paddock, a small farm outside Melbourne where 600 trees coax Tuber melanosporum into existence. He also sources truffles to make products including truffle honey and truffle salt, and is the founder of the Truffle Melbourne festival. When Nigel bought his farm, he thought he might grow grapes for wine but the aroma, flavour and romance of truffles hooked him in...

Growing up in an Italian family Laura Baratto (Matt Moran Restaurants) had a strong connection to produce and food from a young age. Not really enjoying school she left to pursue a career in food and before lone landed an apprenticeship at Aria. Rising the ranks in multiple Matt Moran restaurants, she now finds herself in the dream role of group executive chef overseeing an array of different venu...

Virginia Willcock is a powerhouse of winemaking wisdom. As chief winemaker at Vasse Felix, her custodianship of this historic estate is not lost on her. In the haven of Wilyabrup, Virginia joins us today shine a light on one of Australia’s most coveted wine brands and tell us more from her 30 plus vintages in Margaret River. https://www.vassefelix.com.au Follow Over a Glass https://www.instagram.c...

Not really enjoying school and looking for a way out Joseph Abboud (Rumi, Brunswick East) took an opportunity to work in a commercial kitchen. It lead to a career in some of Melbourne’s best restaurants where he learnt a strong technical backbone of European cookery, until the yearning to explore the cuisine of his heritage got the better of him. He found a site in Brunswick East and set about ele...

The The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has been lead by chief Executive Rupert Howes, since 2004. A lifelong committed environmentalist and a professionally qualified accountant; he has been at the helm of driving the MSC to become the most important eco-label in the world. Rupert Howes is a relentless optimist who’s passion and positivity are to be admired, his work driving the Marine Stewardsh...

Growing up a proud Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia Bul clan, Mindy Woods (Karkalla, Byron Bay) was immersed in a world where the native ingredients in the regions food bowl were commonplace every meal. After leaving home she built a career as a physiotherapist until a yearning for change saw her compete on Masterchef. The experience lead to a career change and she slowly rose the ranks in com...

After training under Gordon Ramsay, Scott Findlay (Flave) honed his plant-based recipes for over a decade as a private chef to legendary Sir Paul McCartney as well as ‘flexitarians’ Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, Elton John, and a bevy of other celebrities. After years of traversing the globe he headed to Australia where he is now at the forefront of everyday plant-based eating. https://www.flave.com...

Looking to find a better way to do things, Tim Eyes (The Food Farm) and his wife Hannah started to look at the world of farming differently. They devised a plan to lease a series of properties to move cattle and chickens around constantly to ensure a regenerative farming method and a real connection with the community in the region too. https://thefoodfarm.com.au Follow The Producers on Instagram...

After plying his craft in Europe and Japan Federico Zanellato (Lumi Dining, Restaurant Leo, Ele by Federico and Karl, Lode) made his way to Australia and soon became a vital cog in the early days of Ormeggio. When the opportunity to open his own restaurant presented itself, he explored the synergy, sophistication and simplicity of Japanese and Italian cuisines under the same roof. Now, with four u...

What do you get when you cross a chef with a fishmonger, a sustainable seafood champion and an epic story teller - one amazing bloke! Hear Bart Ban Olphens story https://bartvanolphen.com Follow Fishtales, a Seafood Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fishtalesseafoodpodcast/ Follow John Susman https://www.instagram.com/fisheads/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.i...

After launching a start-up in 2019 to offer a digital menu for hospitality businesses, Kim Teo (Mr Yum) and her small team realised they had a product that was fast becoming a much-sort-after commodity during the pandemic for businesses looking to use QR codes and deliver on contactless, socially-distanced offerings. In just three years Mr Yum has grown from a small idea to over 260 employees and...

Nick Spencer has been making wine for over 20 years. He is an extremely proud Australian winemaker who champions multiple regions throughout NSW. Nick’s passion for Gundagai and Tumbarumba has reinvigorated the excitement around these special places and his dedication to the entire wine industry is something to be commended. https://nickspencerwines.com.au Follow Over a Glass https://www.instagram...

When his career in the music industry was put on hold indefinitely thanks to the covid-19 pandemic, Dom Ruggeri (Dom Panino) found inspiration from his grand mothers cooking. Keen to find stability and a source of income he started a paninotecca that championed the humble panini, his grandmothers recipes, and food he enjoyed while travelling the world through music. https://www.dompanino.com.au Fo...

After working in the front of house, Lorena Corso (Sig. Enzo) felt an urge to jump into a commercial kitchen. The colour, fragrant and flavours of India captured her imagination and set her on a path to learn cuisine other than that of her homeland Italy. It led to a move to Melbourne and jobs in the kitchens of some of the city’s best restaurants, until she landed a dream job to run her own kitch...

Anne Coote runs a small cattle station near Moree in northern New South Wales. The way she sees it, she’s farming soil and dung beetles as much as she’s farming cattle. Focusing on the soil and the carbon cycle that supports it is a necessary rethink, an essential mindset for our farming - and eating - future. https://www.facebook.com/anne.coote.75 Follow The Producers on Instagram https://www.ins...

Growing up in Brescia, northern Italy, Alessandro Pavoni (A’mare, Ormeggio, Chiosco) had a wonderful appreciation for good food from a young age. After plying his trade in Michelin star restaurants he travelled downunder for a break and to learn English. Two decades later and he has become one of the most influential chefs downunder with three restaurants that span the divide of casual, path-carvi...

Today’s episode of The Crackling is a little bit different. We hit the road and headed to the west coast of Australia for Porkstars Perth 2022 - a celebration of the pig, farmers and some of WA’s best chef too. Join us as we jump into the kitchen with chefs Melissa Palinkas, Evan Hayter and Guy Jeffreys as they cook a feast celebrating the whole beast. Follow The Crackling https://www.instagram.c...

While most 13­-year-­olds might spend their birthday with a party shared among family or friends, Andrew Mirosch was battling a gale in a small fishing boat. Always keen on fishing, as a young boy Andrew would try his luck on the beach or off the rocks at Stradbroke Island with his grandparents, or by himself at night. He always wanted to be a fisherman But Andrew trained and has been a chef for m...

Last time we spoke to Corey Costelloe (Rockpool Group) he was in the thick of an intense four month lockdown and we discussed the pros and cons of introducing a green card for vaccinated people. With the majority of Australian now vaccinated, things are looking a bit different – but so is life and career for Corey. https://www.instagram.com/coreycostelloe/?hl=en Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagr...