Deep in the Weeds - A Food Podcast with Anthony Huckstep

Today’s guest has forged a dynamic culinary career on her own terms, moving beyond fine dining to launch successful food ventures. How do you make a transition from the commercial kitchen to a life in hospitality on your own terms to deliver unique experiences? Brooke Silk (Dine In by Brooke and Capture the Chef) joins us to talk of her amazing transition. https://dine-in.com.au Chapters 00:00 Red...

West Australian apple grower Ann Lyster is also the chairperson of Fruit West Co-operative. She didn’t start life as a farmer but she finds it extraordinarily satisfying, rich and diverse. Not only is there the joy of feeding people, there are also the challenges and learning opportunities of digging into everything from soil to marketing to intellectual property. ⁠⁠https://www.fruitwest.com.au/in...

Akti, an elevated contemporary Greek restaurant by Sydney Restaurant Group, has opened at the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf. This new establishment will bring a fresh culinary perspective to the landmark location, formerly home to Manta. Today We are joined by Akti's Head Chef, Rob Judd. https://www.akti.com.au Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Acty and Chef Rob Judd 00:57 Transformation from Manta to A...

Growing up in 1990s Sydney, Myra Karakelle rarely met others who shared her unique cultural food combinations, blending her Uzbek and Afghan heritage. Her family's dinner table, however, was a vibrant celebration of these two Central Asian cultures through food. Today, Myra brings these traditions, along with a love for Australian sandwiches, to her deli, MLK Deli. https://www.instagram.com/mlk.de...

Today, we're talking about building something from nothing, with pure hustle and a clear vision. Our guest, Mathieu Bourget, is the founder of Il Locale Pizza, a fast-growing independent brand that started in the backstreets of Perth and is now helping other operators scale smarter. https://www.illocalepizza.com.au Chapters 00:00 Building a Brand from Scratch 06:15 The Journey of Scaling a Busines...

Declan McGovern’s culinary journey began in rural Ireland, leading him to refine his skills in London before becoming a champion of local produce in the West of Ireland. He made a significant move to Australia, where he honed his craft with acclaimed chefs and at iconic venues like Opera Kitchen. Now, in Melbourne, he's making his mark with a successful private dining business and a commitment to...

Tim Perrin is the Chief Winemaker at Port Phillip Estate, which also encompasses the renowned Kooyong vineyards in the Mornington Peninsula. A talented and ambitious winemaker, Tim is driven by a passion for crafting authentic wines while continually challenging the status quo. https://www.portphillipestate.com.au SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE S...

We've talked about the challenges of sustainability, sourcing local and running a business that’s profitable and keeps coming back for more. But what’s it like running a restaurant considered one of the very best in the world with modus operandi of only using organic, biodynamic and wild foods. Jay Boyle from Maaemo in Oslo, Norway joins us to talk about this incredible restaurant and his upcoming...

Her name is spoken with reverence and respect—across the region, and throughout the country. She has either won or been nominated for nearly every major winemaking award, and she carries it all with quiet elegance and grace. I am, of course, talking about Jen Parr of Valli Vineyards, where she crafts wines so deeply rooted in place, they feel like they could shake the earth beneath your feet. ⁠htt...

We’ve talked with many guests about change in the hospitality sector. How kitchens and workplace environments are different to how they used to be, but how different are they? What avenues are there to carve a career, and what support is out there to help provide those pathways? Today we catch up with Bridget Raffal owner Where’s Nick Wine Bar, president of Women and Revolution and the Vice presid...

Running a café creates a bevy of adversities and triumphs. Adding further layers to that, as a social enterprise that but provides support and career pathways makes for an even more complex business. What does it take to run a successful food business and have a vital social impact as well? 2025 Australian of the Year Local Hero Hannah Costello, Co-Founder of Café Stepping Stone in the ACT joins u...

Bruce Dukes is the mastermind behind Domaine Naturaliste. He is a true creative at heart with a deep understanding of the soils and unique characteristics of his special corner in Wilyabrup, Margaret River. His wines sing with purity, joy, and remarkable detail. ⁠https://domainenaturaliste.com.au⁠ Follow Over a Glass ⁠https://www.instagram.com/overtheglasspod⁠  Host Shanteh Wale ⁠https://www.insta...

What’s it like being part of a regional food soon for many decades. Seeing the town grow, the food offerings expand and being a huge part of that evolution? Well today’s guest has had and continues to have a huge impact on the town of Bendigo. Paul Pitcher, chef and co-owner of The Woodhouse and Le Foyer French Brasserie shares the wisdom behind a successful regional restaurant. https://www.instag...

Running a world-class restaurant in any city has many ongoing challenges, especially if it’s off the back of the success of a sibling restaurant on the other side of the planet. How do you constantly stay at the top of your game, and keep staff and guests alike satisfied? Michael Stoddart, Restaurant General Manager of Oncore by Clare Smyth in Sydney joins us to share yarns over his career and som...

You can't talk about the Hunter Valley without acknowledging the remarkable work and dedication of the Margan family. Andrew Margan and his wife, Lisa, are true stalwarts of the wine industry. Together with their talented children, they have played a leading role in shaping the region’s wine scene through their expertise, innovation, and professionalism. Located in Broke, Margan is more than just...

We all know that cheffing is the great global vocation, with skills learnt on the tools adaptable to just about any kitchen on earth. But commercial kitchens and restaurants are not necessarily the only avenue for a career as a chef. Josh Harris head chef of Kilcoy Global Foods joins us to talk beef, transitions and inspiration. https://www.instagram.com/chefjoshharris/?hl=en SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS...

He is one of the most exciting young talents on the culinary scene, and one of the humblest. This week Andy Wirya (Island Radio) talks family, old recipes, news recipes and taking the new age diner on a journey of joy. ⁠https://www.islandradio.sydney⁠ Follow The Crackling ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thecracklingpodcast/⁠ Follow Huck ⁠https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/⁠ Follow Rob Locke (Execut...

Melanie Chester is the General Manager at Giant Steps, where she also leads Winemaking and Viticulture. Her vision and expertise are what truly set her apart, complemented by her quick wit and unwavering dedication to her craft. With a career marked by innovation and excellence, Mel continues to make waves with wines that are nothing short of show-stopping. ⁠https://www.giantstepswine.com.au⁠ SUBS...

Keen to escape the city life, Astrid Birt (Fresh Tracks Farm) took over the family property in rural Western Australia where she is now raising a young family, cattle, sheep and chickens on a small-scale regenerative farm. ⁠https://freshtracksfarm.com.au⁠ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES ⁠https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?...

Going from food truck to bricks and mortar is an exciting development for small operators, but it also comes with a whole raft of new challenges. How do you convert a mobile offering to a fixed location and enjoy heater success? Ali Chebbani from (Chebbo’s Burgers) joins us to share his incre4dible journey so far. https://www.chebbos.com SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GI...

Newton is one of the most vibrant hospitality hubs in Sydney with just about every cuisine in earth on offer. But there is one restaurant, Bloodwood, that not only paved the way for elevated dining, but has stood the test of time and become a hub of the community too. Owner and chef Claire Van Vuuren joins us to share yarns from an incredible innings, with many more to come. https://bloodwoodnewto...

Angus Hughson has played a pivotal role in shaping the voice of Australian wine. As a respected wine writer and publisher, he possesses a keen understanding of what the local wine scene needs to evolve—and he takes deliberate action to make it happen. A mentor to many and friend to most. ⁠https://winepilot.com/author/angus-hughson/⁠ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWA...

Bruce Maynard isn’t farming like those around him. His fields at Willydah, west of Dubbo in NSW, look different, greener, wilder, a little more chaotic. He’s a wheat and sheep farmer like many in the region, but he’s just as interested in lizards, migratory birds and native legumes as grain yield. Where the system pushes for simplicity, he’s valuing diversity and soil health, and looking for ways...

The Bentley Group is one of the most influential hospitality offerings of the last two decades downunder, with a throng of unique personalised restaurants. Although he shies away from the limelight, Group Executive Chef Aiden Stevens took us behind the scenes to share how he gets the best out of his team to keep customers coming back. ⁠https://www.bentleyrestaurantgroup.com.au/elevenbarrack⁠ Follo...

How our food is raised, farmed, caught and harvested has become more and more important to our everyday lives. It’s allowed the production of meat to find better ways, and in turn created a posse of passionate meat-eaters along the way. Hardcore Carnivore Jess Pryles is an Australian-born “meat nerd” who is now based in Texas, but back downunder to head up the Fire Kitchen at Vivid. She joins us f...