Dirty Linen - A Food Podcast with Dani Valent

Visible and vocal, restaurateur, author and two-time MasterChef Australia contestant Khanh Ong was born in a refugee camp to Vietnamese parents, grew up in Springvale and immersed himself in fashion and DJing before finding a career focused on food. We talk about his path, representation, being the boss and when it's not a banh mi. https://www.thegeorgeoncollins.com.au https://www.instagram.com/khanhong/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

As part of a series of discussions about anti-Asian racism, we are speaking today to food writer Yvonne C. Lam. Yvonne is the digital editor of Gourmet Traveller magazine and a founding member of Diversity in Food Media. This is a Big Chat. https://www.yvonneclam.com.au References: Yvonne C. Lam on Problematic Restaurant Names: https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/news/food-and-culture/problematic-restaurant-names-19020 Reni Eddo-Lodge: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/30/why-im-no-longer-talking-to-white-people-about-race Diversity in Food Media: https://diversity-in-food-media-australia.webnode.com/ Australians love Asian food, so why doesn't it win as many awards as Italian? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-27/asian-food-fine-dining-good-food-guide-gourmet-traveller/10427934 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

We continue opening up and exploring the topic of anti-Asian racism, as experienced and expressed in the restaurant world. Deb Ong is originally from Singapore; she came to Melbourne to study anthropology and ended up training to be a chef and, for a time, owning a cafe. She now balances her time between the hospitality industry and further study. Among other topics, we discuss the discrimination Asian customers sometimes encounter when dining in restaurants. https://www.instagram.com/nihilistnomya/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen begins a series of discussions about anti-Asian racism in the hospitality world. We begin with C.K. Chin, a restaurateur from Austin, Texas. C.K. has been outspoken around the #stopasianhate movement, as well as supporting Black Lives Matter, frontline workers during the pandemic and people impacted by Austin's February big freeze when the power went out and water was in short supply. He's a doer, thinker, changemaker and an incredible communicator. https://www.instagram.com/seekaychin/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Colin Wood found his way to cheffing after a back injury stymied his Olympic plans. After a fruitful and inspiring period working in Melbourne for Andrew McConnell, Colin took on a role with Ignacio Mattos in New York, leaving on the cusp of the world locking down. A pandemic year in his home town of Perth took him deep and he's fired up to forge a new path. https://linktr.ee/colejwood Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Brisbane is in a snap third lockdown so we check in with Jerome Dalton, owner of Dalton Catering. Jerome is pedalling hard but he's hurting and reckons he probably has PTSD after a tumultuous year. A lockdown announced just as JobKeeper finished is a huge blow, affecting income, employment and business projections. Where to now? https://daltoncateringbrisbane.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

The way immigrants are welcomed - or not - into Australia can have a huge impact on their own lives and the contribution they are able to make to Australian society. Hamed Allahyari is a cooking instructor, recipe developer, social entrepreneur and owner of Cafe Sunshine and SalamaTea in Melbourne's west. He was born in Iran and now - after a hard road - is an important part of Australia’s culinary landscape. http://www.hamedspersiankitchen.com Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Niro Vithyasekar runs Tuka Tuka Kotthu Roti Man food stall, selling the classic Sri Lankan stir-fried roti dish, the making of which is also a percussion show. Niro is a Tamil man and was forced to leave Sri Lanka because of ongoing conflict and discrimination. He came to Australia by boat, was detained for six years and still doesn't have a certain path to permanent residency. https://www.instagram.com/tukatukakothurotiman/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

This week on Dirty Linen we talk to trailblazers who are shining a light for their communities, trying new things, striking brave paths. We start with Ngemba woman Trish Frail who recently launched Thulii Ngemba Cafe in Brewarrina in north-western New South Wales. Bre is also known for its ancient Aboriginal fish traps, "built before the Egyptian pyramids were even an embryo". https://www.facebook.com/thuliingemba/ Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Marios Cafe in Melbourne's Fitzroy is turning 35 next month. We chat to one of the two Marios who own it, Mario De Pasquale, and get stuck into the crapshoot of dealing with multiple layers of government, the beauty of regulars and the joy of newcomers, staying relevant in a fast-changing industry, how to manage a longstanding business partnership and - once and for all - why baristas hate soy milk. https://www.marioscafe.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

On the anniversary of Australia's March 23, 2020 pandemic lockdown, we chat to hospitality consultant Ivan Brewer. Ivan gets fired up by profitability - he'll look at everything from menu items to bottle bins to the spring in a waiter's step. He thinks we're on the verge of a huge number of restaurant closures but that there'll be massive opportunities on the other side. How do business owners and hospitality workers avoid the perils and seize the possibilities? It's Ivan's mission in life to help people find the answers. http://www.ivanbrewer.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

This is a great chat - practical, personal, nostalgic, hopeful and human. When thinking about the future, it's great to get some perspective from the past. Veteran hospitality owner Adam Sadiqzai innovated his way through the pandemic and has come out more or less positive about the prospects for Australian restaurants. His new eatery, Stella's Kitchen at Montague apple farm on Melbourne's fringe is the model of a flexible forward-looking multi-pronged operation. We also look back: Adam grew up in Melbourne restaurants from the 1960s; he weathered the 1980s recession, the end of Fringe Benefits Tax and the introduction of GST. He's seen the demise of silver service but wonders if there might yet be a place for cloches and waiter brigades. Dirty Linen says 'yes, please!' https://www.khanshospitalityservices.com.au/ Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen heads to Sydney to chat to Sharon Salloum, owner of Syrian restaurant Almond Bar in Darlinghurst and 3 Tomatoes Cafe in Ashbury. We chat about the daily difficulties of running small hospitality businesses. Sharon admits that everything is hard and that margins are incredibly slim but she still burns with passion for the industry. When your heart fills by feeding people, you never really question why you do it. We also talk a lot about barbecue! https://www.almondbar.com.au https://www.instagram.com/sharonsalloum/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen continues to contemplate the future. Today we speak to Paul Waterson, CEO of Aus Venue Co, a large national pub group. Paul has a broad perspective, with venues in every mainland state, and a spread of CBD, suburban and country operations. The group has made many changes to fortify the business, including new technology, recruitment strategies and training programs. Recovery is uneven but persistent and Paul is facing the future with measured optimism. He also shares cogent advice for businesses of all sizes. https://www.ausvenueco.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen moves into a series of discussions contemplating the future - without JobKeeper, rent abatement and insolvency protections yet still with difficult trading conditions. Today's chat is with Iain Ling, who has just made the difficult decision to close Super Ling, one of his two restaurants in Carlton, close to the city and adjoining Melbourne University. There are so many variables Ling can't control. One thing he can have a say in is whether he trades at all. http://superling.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Underground kosher sourdough micro-baker Maaryasha Werdiger has moved her ghetto garage bakery to a shop in Ripponlea. Zelda’s soft opening has been big news in the local Jewish community, with queues along the street and around the corner for quality sourdough loaves, sesame-topped bialys, challah buns and more. We check in... https://www.zeldabakery.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

On a day when Australian women #march4justice, we speak to an Aboriginal woman who's passionate about truth-telling, change-making and justice for First Nations peoples. Bidjara woman Keelen Mailman runs Mt Tabor, a cattle station on the black soil plains of western Queensland. That she is running a business on her own traditional country is sadly rare. We talk about the gulfs that exist between people living in very different realities in various parts of Australia and the actions and intentions that might help to close the gaps. https://au.linkedin.com/in/keelen-mailman-86872544 https://www.amazon.com.au/Power-Bones-Childhood-Heartbreaking-Uplifting/dp/1743313713 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Today's conversation is with Fahan Ahmed, one of 14 African women who form Magnificent Mamma's Kitchen, an employment program with the City of Moonee Valley, providing culturally appropriate (and DELICIOUS) food to local residents impacted by the pandemic. Fahan is from Somalia via Egypt and she's made a good life for herself and her six children in Melbourne. At the same time, she speaks of July's sudden lockdown of housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne as traumatic, shocking and discriminatory. She wants to use her food as a medium to connect communities and her big ambition is to see her chilli sauce eaten and enjoyed far and wide. https://mvcc.vic.gov.au/magnificent-mammas-kitchen/ Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Everything has been a bit full on, don't you think? Dirty Linen reckons it's time to pause, centre, reconnect and honour ourselves. With that in mind, it's a pleasure to introduce you to Merryn Padgett, a pizza shop owner based in Bairnsdale in East Gippsland. But that's not all - Merryn is also a trainer in nutrition, mindset and resetting habits and today she will guide us through a meditation to help us find and listen to our inner voice. https://thegutmindcollective.com https://earthandsoul.pizza Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Lorena Corso is a chef from Sicily with a track record in London and a love for Australian hospitality. She's launched Thick Accents Project with Ilanit Bard (episode 145) to foreground immigrant women in hospitality. We chat about standing up against crap, how to be brave and the power of hard conversations. Lorena works at the wonderful Napier Quarter, an extremely wonderful expression of Melbourne dining, drinking and doing. https://www.instagram.com/lorien8723/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

It's International Women's Day! To celebrate the solidarity, ingenuity, determination and all-out brilliance of women, we are speaking to Australian-Filipina changemaker Grace Guinto, co-founder of The Entree.Pinays. This food-loving collective of entrepreneurial Filipinas brings Filipino cuisine, culture, and communities to the hearts, minds, and tastebuds of Australians on Wurundjeri country. Grace is a powerhouse and I can't think of anyone better to showcase on this special day. https://www.instagram.com/entree.pinays/?hl=en https://www.entreepinays.com Dani's article from the Age https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/the-women-who-saved-melbourne-restaurants-20210305-h1uef5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

We wrap up a thought-provoking, galvanising week of conversations with awesome women with the incredible Hana Assafiri. Hana's Moroccan Soup Bar is a restaurant, yes, but it's foremost a forum for social justice in action - through employment, careful and caring conversations, and by being the change you want to see. I can't imagine anyone not being inspired by this chat! https://www.moroccansoupbar.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

As we continue to talk women in hospitality, we head to Brisbane, where Nims Zavackas founded a support group to offer comfort, strategies and a listening ear to women feeling lost in their food businesses and careers. Her path has been strewn with difficult periods and bad dreams as well as strange and beautiful encounters with food legend Maggie Beer. https://www.instagram.com/nimsxx/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Deborah Harris is a professor of sociology at Texas State University and the co-author of a book called Taking the Heat: Women Chefs and Gender Inequality in the Professional Kitchen. Deborah got interested in researching women in restaurants after an episode of the reality show Top Chef and she's applied academic rigour to her study of the societal structures that make professional kitchens tricky ground for so many women. We chat 'precarious masculinity', the role of food media and the intersection of race and sexuality - plus everything going on in Austin, Texas right now where a dramatic cold snap cut off power and water for days on end. https://faculty.txstate.edu/profile/1922299 Deborahs Book https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Heat-Inequality-Professional-Kitchen/dp/0813571251 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Why aren't there more women chefs? Why don't more women get into the industry in the first place and ,when they do start out, why do so many leave? Miranda Moreira trained with Middle Eastern master Greg Malouf and cooked in Paris for actors Gerard Depardieu and Johnny Depp but when she returned to Australia she was desperate to find a new career. Leading up to International Women's Day and in the midst of necessary discussions about toxic masculinity, Dirty Linen talks women and hospitality. https://www.brideandwolfe.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

We wrap up Dirty Linen's week talking to ex-employees of Red Spice Road with a weird kind of dialogue. Host Dani Valent reads an open letter from the restaurant's owners and straightens out a few things. Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Today Dirty Linen speaks to Arslan Mukhtar, ex-assistant manager at Red Spice Road. Arslan is now a frontline worker in hotel quarantine. The podcast is a great chat but I was also very moved by something Arslan said after we stopped recording. He told me that the people staffing hotel quarantine are largely overseas nationals on temporary visas. Arslan said he is not unusual in that he is restricting his own after-hours socialising as an added layer of protection for the community. The community, that is, that failed to look after him through the pandemic. Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Today Dirty Linen speaks to Red Spice Road's ex-head chef Sungeun Mo. Mo worked for the restaurant for four years and was well along the path to permanent residency when she was sacked and the restaurant closed, owing her $36,554.09. The money and the dashing of her residency application and career aspirations were all hard enough, but hearing on the grapevine that the restaurant was to reopen made her feel utterly betrayed. https://www.instagram.com/sungeunmo/ Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen stays on the topic of Red Spice Road via a chat with ex-group general manager Christian Price. Christian had the tough job of telling his team they had all lost their jobs then stuck by them through a tumultuous year of lockdowns and low employment. When the news broke that Red Spice Road was reopening, Christian was as shocked as anyone. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/restaurant-workers-not-paid-tens-of-thousands-as-red-spice-road-reopens-with-new-staff-20210218-p573st.html Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen talks to visa worker Laura Dauphin, previously events and reservations manager at Red Spice Road, a Melbourne restaurant which liquidated in May 2020, then announced its reopening in January 2021, while still owing thousands of dollars to ex-employees. Laura was sponsored by the restaurant which means her presence in Australia was imperilled by the business closing. It's not so much the $11,500 she's owed but the fact that her previous employers seem to want nothing to do with anyone who made the restaurant one of Melbourne's favourite places to dine. Read Dani's article in the Age https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/restaurant-workers-not-paid-tens-of-thousands-as-red-spice-road-reopens-with-new-staff-20210218-p573st.html Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen chats to Jesslyn Chhua, who opened Jack the Milkman in Murrumbeena just as Melbourne locked down. Weirdly, it's been pretty good timing and her second cafe is off to a flying start, albeit only with takeaway. She's feeling plenty of love from the local community and lots of optimism about the future of hospitality in Melbourne. Silver linings... https://www.facebook.com/jackthemilkman Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen heads to IDES in Melbourne to talk to chef and restaurateur Peter Gunn. The pandemic has been tough but it's also been an opportunity. He's learnt a lot about himself, his staff and the kinds of experiences he wants to create. IDES is about to celebrate its fifth birthday. The future is about refinement, balance and trust: fine dining is very much alive and it's up to visionaries like Peter Gunn to work out what that means in 2021 and beyond. https://www.idesmelbourne.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

And we're out of lockdown! Victorian restaurants are reopening after a five-day circuit breaker. We talk to experienced restaurateur Barb Dight from 27-year-old Cicciolina in St Kilda. Barb and her business partners have made big changes through the pandemic, tightening up the balance sheet at Cicc and closing their second restaurant Ilona Staller. People tell Barb that it's sad she let go of Ilona Staller after 10 years. She feels differently... https://cicciolina.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LOCKDOWN #3 Last time we spoke to Di Keser, she was bunkered down in Barcelona with her husband and dogs. Today she's locked down in Melbourne, having just completed hotel quarantine in Adelaide, then flying home and making the tough decision to close one of her two Hardware Societe city cafes. She'll still lose money but hopefully not as much. Di is frustrated with hotel quarantine and with the delayed rollout of vaccines and she's looking to government of all levels for answers and assistance. In the meantime, she wants everyone to know that it's OK not to be OK. https://hardwaresociete.com https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LOCKDOWN #3 grinds on and we head to Metung in East Gippsland for a chat with publican David Strange. He's frustrated that regional Victoria is closed down for a handful of cases in Melbourne and wonders if Premier Dan Andrews could learn from NSW when it responds to clusters. He's worried for his staff who need their casual shifts, and for suppliers who are losing income during a summer period that they really need to be busy. At least the sun is shining... https://www.metunghotel.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LOCKDOWN #3. Melbourne is in the middle of a snap "short, sharp" five-day (fingers, toes & eyes crossed) lockdown, called on the eve of a super busy weekend for restaurants. We chat to Lisa Slaughter, owner of Ripponlea Food & Wine and Glen Waverley's Mocha Jo to find out how she's coping, especially given this blow comes soon after Mocha Jo was named a "COVID case location" on December 30. There aren't many reserves of energy to draw upon but Lisa is still finding things to be grateful for as we discover in this powerful chat. https://ripponleafoodandwine.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Today on Dirty Linen we chat to Jodi Crocker from Baketico and Wonder Pies, which she runs with her partner chef Raymond Capaldi. Jodi moved full-time into food manufacturing and retail when her hospitality and events public relations business evaporated last March. We talk about that transition, as well as her previous roles at Crown and with George Calombaris. Jodi also shares invaluable advice for restaurants looking to get more media attention. https://www.instagram.com/baketico/ Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

We hit a few hot button topics in today's Dirty Linen chat with Zowie Minchin from Zsa's bar, deli and bistro in Melbourne's Northcote. But before we get onto staffing issues, tricky customers and the dreaded payroll tax, we find out that Zowie's first hospitality memory is making prawn cocktails for mining magnates Rose and Lang Hancock in her home state of WA. It's been a journey! http://zsas.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen continues our Looking Back, Looking Forward with a question. Is now the best time in a while for an aspiring restaurateur to ask, "Why not now?" Young front-of-house guy James Ness has done just that, opening his Jethro pop-up in Melbourne's Prahran with chef Gitai Ifergan. Conceived on a 'Chap Lap' (we explain) and full of energy and promise, Jethro feels very 2021. https://jethroprahran.com Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

We finish the week in Perth, with Tania Nicolo from Monsterella, a pizza place that's been slinging hard during Perth's five-day lockdown. It's a funny time to talk: a week ago, Perth locked down on the back of one COVID case out of hotel quarantine, and this week Melbourne DIDN'T lock down (thank god) after a very similar incident. Tania reckons WA did the right thing. I reckon Melbourne did the right thing. We're probably both right... With all our fingers and toes crossed for zero cases on east and west, we chat about uncertainty, staffing, fires and feeling like you're in exactly the right place. http://www.monsterella.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Who better to talk about the changing hospitality landscape than Stevan Premutico, founder of booking platform Dimmi and new ordering and paying app Me&U. We chat about the overlaps and intersections between the human touch and technology. What can data help with and what might it hinder? I'm not sure I want an app to know more about me than a favourite waiter but I'm all for help with splitting bills! https://www.meandu.com.au Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Today on Dirty Linen, hospitality consultant Ilanit Bard talks about the industry problems that inspired her to launch Soigné during the pandemic. Her young business goes into restaurants to assist them with operations, profitability and culture. We discuss service and why the customer isn't always right, toxic masculinity, creativity, business identity and food media, including a free and frank discussion about the merits or otherwise of restaurant hats and scores. https://www.soignehospitality.com The Customer Is Not Always Right https://www.foodandwine.com/fwpro/customer-is-not-always-right Antifragile: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/nov/21/antifragile-how-to-live-nassim-nicholas-taleb-review Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen's 2021 season kicks off with Looking Back, Looking Forward. We take stock and press on! Our first guest is Jake Nicolson, executive chef at the Ghanem Group, which has multiple restaurants in Brisbane (Blackbird, Donna Chang and more) and Melbourne (Byblos, Le Bon Ton). Jake talks about leadership, processes and mentoring, particularly in the context of young chefs who are missing out on their tour of duty to places like London or New York. Can they learn enough in their own backyard? https://www.ghanemgroup.com.au LISTEN TO OUR OTHER PODCASTS Dirty Linen with Dani Valent https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dirty-linen-a-food-podcast-with-dani-valent/id1518946986 The Crackling with Anthony Huckstep https://linktr.ee/thecrackling Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen is putting the Summer Series on ice and getting back into gear for 2021. We want to hear from you. What are the issues you want to hear about - and indeed, talk about? I'm thinking staffing, pricing, supply chains, the award and whether the customer is always right - plus many more ideas in today's short episode. Got ideas? Find me at [email protected] or hit me up on the socials! And if you're more inclined to listen, then that's great - we are so happy to have you on board! Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Dirty Linen's Summer Series takes a detour to outback Australia. Dani tells the tale of her car roll on a deserted road and the pissing-in-bottle misadventures that followed. Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

The Australian Open is a key marker of the Melbourne summer but this year's tennis tournament has been upended by COVID. We chat to Tennis Australia's Chief Revenue Officer Ben Slack to find out how things are tracking. Players are getting mouthy about quarantine, crowd management is an enormous logistical and infrastructure challenge, and ticket sales are under pressure with travel nigh on impossible and Melbourne a little iffy about major events. Is is still possible for the AO to be ace? https://ausopen.com Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Everyone wants to live more sustainably but it can be hard to know where to start. Today's guest on Dirty Linen's Summer Series has some ideas. Designer Sarah King works across many different fields and for a diverse range of clients but she always starts with Client #1 - the Earth - in mind. We talk about Marine Debris Bakelite, the food-safe ocean plastic tableware that Sarah designed...and that Curtis Stone fell in love with. We talk about the Little Smart Black Dress that requires purchaser to enter a pact with manufacturer upon purchase. And we talk about starting where you are: sustainability isn't something over there, it's in front of each of us every day. http://thesustainablistline.com/ https://www.supercyclers.com/ https://the-sustainablist.teachable.com/p/masterclass-the-sustainablist Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Today Dirty Linen's Summer Series heads back in time to New York, and an interview with Niki Russ Federman from Russ & Daughters. This iconic Lower East Side deli has been feeding New York since 1914. In what's been a devastating time for New York restaurants, with countless closures, it's a pleasure to hang out at Russ & Daughters on a busy Saturday morning. http://www.russanddaughters.com Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

Remember the film Jiro Dreams of Sushi? Dirty Linen chats to American theatre director Daniel Goldstein who saw the film, became obsessed with Jiro's Tokyo restaurant, and went to extraordinary lengths to have a meal there. Was it worth it? Daniel is in Melbourne to reopen the musical Come From Away, our first big post-lockdown production. It's a great show that celebrates kindness and connection, making it more timely than ever. https://www.instagram.com/dannymg/?hl=en Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Dani https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

In today's episode, Dirty Linen hops on a potato truck and rumbles down the Indian Himalaya. This story from host Dani Valent discusses the perils of wearing white jeans in Calcutta, the lumpiness of a sack of spuds, and an Indian bus driver's capacity to deal with just about any tribulation with calm acceptance - disaster is just another situation to be stepped through.