Deep in the Weeds - A Food Podcast with Anthony Huckstep

After working in kitchens in Australia and New Zealand Justin North (Concept Hospitality) followed his passion for French cuisine and travelled to Europe to work in the two Michelin Star kitchen of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons with Raymond Blanc. The experience changed his focus and he returned to Australia to be part of one of Australia’s most seminal establishments Banc, and open his own restaura...

Needing to earn an income while studying psychology, Louella Mathews (Bibo Wine Bar) cut her teeth at two of New South Wales best regional restaurants - Lolli Redini and Racine - in wine region, Orange. After grasping the opportunity to run the latter, and connecting with local wine makers she become inspired to move to Sydney where a job at Rockpool changed the way she understood wine, culture an...

Leaving Canada for the Michelin starred restaurants in the United Kingdom not long after getting his chef qualifications Ron McKinlay (Canoe Restaurant, Toronto, Canada) discovered the bounty and importance of local ingredients. It set him on a journey to explore the unique ingredients of Scotland, Australia and then finally back home to Canada where his ethos have seen him acknowledged as Canada’...

With Italian roots, Stuart Toon (Rocker, Bondi) was introduced to food from a young age, with food and family being at the centre of his upbringing in Cheltenham UK. It led to a job in a butchery, breaking down game birds, that really ignited his love for food. But the kitchen was calling, and after working in a string of different restaurants he joined the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group and over a...

Growing up as second oldest in household of seven in Port Lincoln in country South Australia Jenna North (Lucy Lui, Melbourne) started cooking at the age of 10 helping her mother feed the family. After starting her career cooking in he local pub, she took a chance and moved to Melbourne at the age of 18 having never experienced a big city. After finding her feet and learning her craft at hatted re...

Growing up in Sydney North West Jeff Workman (Peacock and Jones, Hobart) had no interest in food and tried a number of vocations without luck, but as a last resort he started an apprenticeship at a local sports club that only lasted three weeks. Although convinced a career in hospitality wasn't for him, a kitchen hand job at a café led to a start in fine dining that soon jettisoned his career all...

At the age of three Kay-Lene Tan (Tonka and Coda) moved to Singapore from Melbourne with her family, growing up amongst the colour and vibrancy of the multicultural food scene, and in a Peranakan household where food was the centre of everything. It triggered a love and passion for cooking, setting her on a culinary journey under some of the world’s most influential chefs Joel Rubuchon, Dominique...

After starting his career in a small restaurant on the NSW central Coast, Jake Kellie (Arkhé, Adelaide) rose the ranks to win a string of accolades which set him on our journey around the globe. During a stopover in Singapore he met fellow Aussie Dave Pynt (Burnt Ends) and landed the coveted role of head chef at one of the world’s best restaurant where the lure of cooking over fire set him on the...

After working in some of Australia’s best fine dining restaurants Zachery Tan (Devon Café, Dopa, Commune) opened a café that raised the bar for everyday eating and placed an emphasis on quality producers. It became an instant hit with queues out the door, but the intensity of running a business led him to refine his own diet and discover the powerful healing benefits of a plant based diet. It’s le...

After migrating to Australia in the 1960s from Lombardy, Italy with his family, Stefano Manfredi grew up in Western Sydney where Italian food was something new in Australian culture. Inspired by his grandmother and mother, he tasked himself with working some of Sydney’s best restaurants to understand what made them so successful, so one day he could open his own restaurant. He not only managed tha...

With a lack of appetite to study during school, and a penchant to break the rules Dan Hong (Mr Wong, Ms G’s, Sushi e, Queen Chow) was at a crossroads in regards to what vocation to explore until his mother, a chef and restaurateur herself, talked him into doing a chef apprenticeship. It not only led to a career in some of Australia’s best fine dining establishments, but has seen him create some of...

After being born and raised in Perú till migrating to Australia with his family as an eight year old Jose Alkon (Pepito’s) grew up with an appetite for adventure and it led him to the art of Cinematography in the Film & Television industry where he carved out a career over two decades. But feeling the need to assimilate his whole life he always distanced himself from his heritage, but the older he...

After growing up in a small country town, Adriano Zumbo was inspired at a young age by sweets, lollies, and cakes his parents sold in their supermarket. With a yearning to get out and see the world he headed to Sydney to start an apprenticeship as a pastry chef and it planted the seed for the growth of one of Australia’s most influential pastry chefs. https://www.instagram.com/thesweetassassin/ Fo...

While on a trip to Chicago where his wife was receiving treatment for an illness, Tom Tilbury (Gather at Coriole) realized that life back in Australia needed to change and they needed to ensure a seamless life work balance. It lead to the opening of Gather Food & Wine in Robe where he found a greater connection to producers of the region. But as his small family started to grow, and a yearning to...

After feeling burnt out from the long hours and intensity of fine dining restaurants Ashley Maree (Cross-Eyed Mary’s, Coolangatta) made a shift to work in bakeries, including a year at world-famous Tartine in San Francisco. But soon enough she was missing the atmosphere and energy of service. Keen to strike a balance between her love of working with dough and being in service she opened a tiny Ita...

Moving to the UK just after finishing his apprenticeship Shannon Bennett (Burnham Beeches) immersed himself into the kitchen and culture of the most influential Michelin Starred restaurants of that era working with the likes of John Burton Race, Marco Pierre White and Alain Ducasse. He returned to Melbourne keen to connect with producers and create a restaurant never before seen downunder. Vue de...

After growing up in the family restaurant, Thao Nguyen (Eddy and Wolff) tried everything in her powers to ensure she didn’t follow in her mother’s footsteps with a career in hospitality so her kids would have a different upbringing to her. But after moving to the Gold Coast to help her mum with a new restaurant, she took a break with her husband and chef Vien to Melbourne where the restaurant scen...

After years travelling the globe exploring new cultures and cooking different cuisines, Stephen Seckold (Hinchcliff House and Housemade Hospitality) came back to Sydney to run one of Sydney’s most popular venues Flying Fish. After a working at the top level he felt burnt out and took four years out away from the pans. The decision proved pivotal, not only in regards to the way he runs his kitchens...

At the age of 15 Jessica Arnott (Foxtrot Unicorn Bar, WA) had a random, impulse to enroll in a barista course. Although she never envisaged a career in the industry, that small spur of the moment lead to a career in hospitality, countless awards as a cocktail bartender, management roles in iconic venues and a move into the back of house manning the pans. https://www.instagram.com/jessicarette/?hl=...

Starting her career in the pastry section of Marque, Lauren Eldridge (Berowra Waters Inn) plied her trade alongside some of the best talent of a generation. After winning the Josephine Pignolet award she travelled the world and worked in a trio of Three Michelin Star restaurants, and returned home and took on the group pastry chef role of the Van Haandle Group. All of which have primed her for per...

After a traumatic childhood Clinton Park (Bridge Hotel) thought he’d never escape the tough world he lived in, until as a teen he stepped into a commercial kitchen for the first time. Inspired by the energy and camaraderie of the hospitality industry he took a chance and left his home state of Western Australia at the age of 16 and moved to Melbourne to begin career that would span multiple cities...

An incrennible life Early on in her life renowned chef Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn, Petit Crenn and Bar Crenn) realised the connection and power of food to make connections. It drew her to the industry and with the pandemic leaving her restaurant shut for over a year, and the fight to overcome triple negative breast cancer, food, the people and connections found within it have not only helped h...

After running one of the world’s best restaurants and reaching number 10 in the world, Brett Graham (The Ledbury) realised what he had worked so hard to build was jeopardy when the pandemic landed. With a venue incapable of function with social distancing in any form and uncertainty around the opening up of society he was left with no choice but to close. But with a never-say-die attitude he has t...

After a career in some of Australia’s best restaurants Anna Ugarte (The Old Fitzroy) won the Josephine Pignolet award – recognising the best young chefs in Australia. All set to fly to Spain and the Basque country to stage at one of the world’s best restaurants Asador Etxebarri as part of her prize, the pandemic hit and put everything on hold. At a loss and unsure what to do next, a chance meeting...

Living in Paris, a city normally filled with colour, life and the citizens enjoying the good life in the bras and restaurants, Hanz Gueco (Verjus, Paris) has seen it become a ghost town over the last year. As the pandemic rages through Europe, his restaurant has still not re-opened since closing its doors in March 2020. But inspired by artists of other eras, he’s tried to take the positives of a c...