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.deli/?hl=en Chapters 00:00 Cultural Heritage and Culinary Roots 08:54 The Journey of a Unique Deli 16:...
Jul 15, 2025•42 min
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 Business 11:18 Cultural Influences and Culinary Roots 17:17 Overcoming Early Challenges 20:39 Operational S...
Jul 14, 2025•36 min
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 showcasing Irish flavours. https://www.instagram.com/chef_declanmcgovern?igsh=MW1lY2hhcGt1cHNpeA== C...
Jul 10, 2025•30 min
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 SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8...
Jul 09, 2025•32 min
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 return to Australia. https://maaemo.no Chapters 00:00 Sustainability in Fine Dining 02:39 Exploring...
Jul 08, 2025•36 min
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. https://valliwine.com SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND T...
Jul 02, 2025•44 min
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 president of Sommeliers Australia. https://wheresnick.com.au/food/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSI...
Jul 01, 2025•30 min
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 us to share the story of how a café can become a work integration social enterprise that provides emp...
Jun 30, 2025•31 min
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.instagram.com/shantehwale/?hl=en Executive Producer Rob Locke https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ E...
Jun 25, 2025•42 min
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.instagram.com/chefpaulpitcher/?hl=en SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS A...
Jun 24, 2025•30 min
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 some invaluable front of house tips. https://www.crownsydney.com.au/restaurants/oncore-by-clare-smyth S...
Jun 22, 2025•51 min
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 a cellar door—it's an institution of holistic well-being and genuine hospitality. https://www.marga...
Jun 19, 2025•50 min
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 NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list...
Jun 18, 2025•30 min
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 (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow PorkStar https://www.instagram.com/p...
Jun 07, 2025•22 min
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 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepi...
Jun 04, 2025•40 min
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?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow The Producers on Instagram https://www.instag...
Jun 03, 2025•25 min
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, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf...
Jun 01, 2025•36 min
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://bloodwoodnewtown.com Follow The Crackling https://www.instagram.com/thecracklingpodcast/ Follow Huck https://www.i...
May 30, 2025•14 min
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, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e...
May 30, 2025•49 min
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 that agriculture can be both profitable and sustainable. Read my story about Bruce Maynard and anoth...
May 26, 2025•23 min
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 Follow The Crackling https://www.instagram.com/thecracklingpodcast/ Follow Huck https://www.instagram....
May 23, 2025•22 min
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 for a truly carnivorous episode. https://jesspryles.com SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ART...
May 22, 2025•36 min
Tyson Stelzer is the acclaimed author of The Champagne Guide — a monumental work now in its seventh edition and widely regarded as the definitive manual on all things Champagne. Alongside this, Tyson has dedicated his career to communicating the stories of land, people, and time with impassioned articulation and poise. He is a true steward of his craft. https://www.tysonstelzer.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweed...
May 21, 2025•46 min
We’ve had a few legends of Australian hospitality on Deep in the Weeds, and although I’ve never met today’s guest, I feel like I’ve known him forever off the back of all the yarns other industry people have shared. He has been part of the fabric of Melbourne’s dining landscape for decades. It is an absolute pleasure today to have Andrew Blake (Blakeaway) on the show. https://www.blakeaway.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOop9E0lWR9ogfHd_6XPKp3m6pVUtuyGj_O4Zt1-6sLcSVSLNyZ9L SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXC...
May 18, 2025•47 min
Michael Dal Zotto is the second-generation winemaker and co-owner of Dal Zotto, in the King Valley of Victoria. Along with his brother Christian they are continuing the work the pioneering work of their parents Otto and Elena the only way they know how, with passion and loyal commitment. https://www.dalzotto.com.au SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d1...
May 15, 2025•35 min
What does a caterer do when she gets too big for her home kitchen? Maybe she moves into the under-used local golf club kitchen and semi-accidentally turns it into a restaurant. That’s more or less the story with Cat Clarke, chef, teacher, Dimboola gamechanger. We enjoy a delicious chef’s table country lunch with plenty of native ingredients then sit down with Cat to talk hospo culture, country food and meaningful life. This episode is part of a special Dirty Linen series about the Grampians, Wim...
May 14, 2025•38 min
Hospitality Groups come in many forms and are a large part of the culinary landscape these days. What impact do they have on the evolution of the dining scene? And how do ensure each offering in the group holds its own identity? Frank Tucker (Pacific Hunter Group) joins us to talk about his fascinating career, and how he steers the ship of one of the most interesting restaurant groups in the country. https://huntersthospitality.com.au SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIV...
May 11, 2025•36 min
After years working one of the world’s great proponents of Thai, Annita Potter (Viand) decided to return to Australia and take diners on her own journey through Thai cuisine through a different lense. The result is a dining experience where the guests and the food are the show in equal measure. https://www.instagram.com/viand.club/?hl=en Follow The Crackling https://www.instagram.com/thecracklingpodcast/ Follow Huck https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ Follow Rob Locke (Executive Produc...
May 10, 2025•22 min
At the southern end of the Grampians, chef Robin Wickens uses the Royal Mail’s market garden to supply produce for his pub bistro and fine dining restaurant Wickens, which is set in bushland in a glassed pavilion. We meet up with Robin for a garden tour, before heading back to the restaurant for a 10-course degustation with matched wines. Dinner is creative, exciting and fun, one of regional Australia’s most complete and engaging dining experiences. This episode is part of a special Dirty Linen ...
May 08, 2025•30 min
Institutions in hospitality are a rarity these days, with longevity one of the holy grails of the industry. Today we are very excited to be joined by the third generation of one of Sydney’s most loved and visited venues that started all the way back in 1963. Duan Wong co-owner of the Malaya in Sydney shares yarns of its incredible influence and the new era for this institution. https://themalaya.com.au SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES http...
May 08, 2025•25 min
