Deep in the Weeds - A Food Podcast with Anthony Huckstep

After working for trailblazers such as Neil Perry, Kylie Kwong and Tetsuya Wakuda, renowned chef and restaurateur Dave Campbell (Shellharbour Club) discovered a greater connection to produce and a yearning to be closer to the source. But after running an all-day eatery that was ahead of its time, he realised it was hard to foster deep connections with producers while working in the centre of Sydne...

When she was about to embark on an engineering degree in Barcelona, Olivia Serrano (Lola Dining, Ballina) fell into a conversation with a friend who was beginning a commercial cookery class. Blown away that you could cook professionally and get paid for it, she changed course and left her engineering aspirations behind her. Sparked by a fascination with the many cuisines of Asia and opportunities...

What if you farmed as much for beauty, joy and creativity as sustenance? Simone Jelley runs Pretty Produce, an edible flower grower in Queensland, supplying chefs and restaurants, and making value-added products that she offers direct to consumer. It's an endless journey of discovery, working with plants that aren't always appreciated for their edibility, that are strictly seasonal and extremely p...

Growing up as an Australian with Egyptian heritage Paul Farag (Nour, Aalia) always avoided the food of his heritage and family in a professional context. A chef with an innate desire to dig beneath the surface and uncover the finer details in technique, he explored nose-to-tail cooking at The Four in Hand, took a deep dive into charcuterie at Monopole and a plumbed the depths of a whole new perspe...

While working as a chef, Amy Hamilton (Liberté, Albany) stopped into Albany on the far tip of south coast of Western Australia for what she thought was a quick visit. But realising its beauty and keen to find a greater connection she rolled the dice and took a chance to get skin in the game and build a restaurant of her own in a small regional town. Seven years on she’s created one of Australia’s...

New Zealand is a 90% net exporter of it’s seafood, reknown world wide for the quality not only of what is caught and grown but also of the fisher folk. One such fisherman export is Mark Urwin of Vancouver Fishmongers 46 South – hear his Fish Tale……… http://www.46south.ca Follow Fishtales, a Seafood Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fishtalesseafoodpodcast/ Follow John Susman https://w...

Harriet Leigh is Head of Hospitality at Archie Rose Distilling Company, her experience in some of Sydney's most influential venues is vast and full of vigor. The Australian spirits industry has never been more prosperous and Harriet Leigh is right in the thick of it. https://archierose.com.au Follow Over a Glass https://www.instagram.com/overtheglasspod Host Shanteh Wale https://www.instagram.com/...

After taking a leap of faith and buying a restaurant at the age of 21 Bianca Welsh (Stillwater, Black Cow Bistro, Seven Rooms) has become one of the most awarded and respected young restaurateurs in Australia. But as her businesses grew, she watched many of her industry colleagues struggle with mental health and after supporting a young staff member through a mental health crisis, Bianca came to t...

After cooking big batches of lasagne for a friend’s birthday Joey Kellock (1800 Lasagne), found himself with too much leftovers and decided to deliver it to friends the following day. Inspired by their positive response he dabbled in the odd lasagne delivery in-between working on big gigs in the music industry. But when Covid landed his job in music was put on hold, so he turned to what he knew mi...

While studying at university Manny Spinola (Lola’s on Level 1, Grand Pacific Group), started a travel and tour guide business with a friend and fell in love with the connections and impact that great hospitality brings. Although he never had plans to work in the industry, the experience triggered a detour where opportunity and risk combined to let his natural flare flourish, first taking over the...

For three generations Greg Kocanda’s (Block 11 Organics) family have had their hands in the soil producing organic fruit and vegetables on farms in New South Wales Central West and The Hawksbury. Organics isn’t a marketing catch cry for the Kocanda’s, for 80-odd years it’s simply the only way they have ever farmed. https://block11organics.com.au Follow The Producers on Instagram https://www.instag...

Inspired by his French culinary roots and working in the US with Sean Brock, Morgan McGlone (Sunday) returned to Australia keen to make his mark and showcase his skills. While carving out a career in modern restaurants he also combined his love of natural wine and food of America’s deep south he launched one of the most influential Fried chicken venues, Belles Hot Chicken, down under. Now, with a...

Nose to tail butchery has become a real feature of the offering of chefs across the world ever since Fergus Henderson brought the approach to a wider audience. But as much of the world moves towards pre-butchered meat for efficiencies in kitchens, some like Nik Hill (Porcine), are finding rewards in whole beast butchery and the versatility it offers. https://www.porcine.com.au Follow The Crackling...

Sadie Samuels is a woman on a mission – to make the world love the lobsters she catches as much as she does. As a young, progressive and fiercely devoted fisherman, she is as impressive as she is an inspiration ………. https://www.instagram.com/sadiethesiren/ Follow Fishtales, a Seafood Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fishtalesseafoodpodcast/ Follow John Susman https://www.instagram.co...

Gilbert Family Wines have a long history of agriculture and winemaking within Australia. A father and son story of balancing tradition with natural progression and respect to site and season. https://www.gilbertfamilywines.com.au Follow Over a Glass https://www.instagram.com/overtheglasspod Host Shanteh Wale https://www.instagram.com/shantehwale/?hl=en Executive Producer Rob Locke https://www.inst...

After plying his trade in one of Britain’s best restaurants, Darren Robertson (Three Blue Ducks) headed down under and found himself as part of the brigade of one of Australia’s most influential restaurants – Tetsuya’s. He rose the ranks to become head chef working alongside arguably the most incredible alumni of chefs a restaurant has ever produced, but he felt an urge to break the shackles of fi...

Growing up in his parent’s restaurant Taylor Cullen (Chiswick, Sydney) was washing dishes before he could reach the bottom of the sink, born and raised hospitality. Finding himself enamoured in the world of native ingredients, cooking and the genuine connections made through food he travelled the world surfing, eating, cooking and learning before heading to Australia to work with some of Australia...

Born in Colombia but growing up in the United States, Daniel Giraldo (Delia Group) got an appetite to work in the hospitality from his father – a well-known chef in his own right. After years working under his father’s wings, be branched out and travelled through Europe and South and Central America which fuelled his appetite to travel further afield and ply his craft. It led him to Melbourne wher...

Paul Righetti is a founder and owner of Honest Eggs, a central Victorian regenerative farm where they take pride in doing things differently. Paul grazes cattle, sheep and chickens, moving them through pastures in a nurturing cycle that works well for the produce and the land. Honest Eggs goes way beyond "free range" in terms of animal welfare, environmental impact and - crucially - flavour, and h...

After starting his career in the front of house in restaurants Michael Chiem (PS40, Sydney) felt the magnetic pull of the bar and rinks that underpinned the offering. Inspired by some of the great bars in the world, he set about creating a true locals bar that welcomed all, but also took people outside their comfort zone with drinks created much like dishes in a commercial kitchen. https://ps40bar...

Many chefs dream of making the big time. Carving out careers, building the foundation of skills and then hope to create their own restaurant or showcase their interpretation of great food. Many discover their style, but few take on the world and make a mark on the biggest food capitals on the planet. But for Paul Donnelly (Chinese Tuxedo, The Tyger) his career has taken him from Glasgow all the wa...

The seafood industry can be daunting, challenging and unrewarding – it can also be a place of immense reward. Ashley Mullenger is an office girl turned fisher in the UK, for whom the seafood industry has become her theatre of dreams. https://www.instagram.com/thefemalefisherman/?hl=en Follow Fishtales, a Seafood Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fishtalesseafoodpodcast/ Follow John Su...

Over a Glass Podcast with Shanteh Wale The family name of Tyrrell’s is synonymous with the Hunter Valley. Chris and his siblings alongside his father run one of Australia’s most important wineries, from humble beginning to a legacy of craftmanship and lineage of majestic wines. https://tyrrells.com.au Follow Over a Glass with Shanteh Wale https://www.instagram.com/overtheglasspod Host Shanteh Wale...

As our culinary landscape has evolved, the proliferation of large restaurants became a real feature as operators turned to bums on seats to find profit. But with more staff, longer trading hours, high rents, and higher food costs it put greater pressure on the already slim margins. After a career in some of Australia’s best restaurants Sarah Baldwin (Joy, Brisbane) teamed up with chef Tim Scott be...

Six years ago industry legend Matteo Pignatelli (Matteo’s, Melbourne) was diagnosed with cancer and the chance of survival was in the balance. Keen to ensure his family were looked after, and all business dealings were in the black he developed a disaster plan in the event that he died. In remission, the pandemic landed and he found himself in the unique position of not only having a disaster plan...