Dirty Linen - A Food Podcast with Dani Valent

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.

Filipinos are the fifth largest migrant group in Australia so why isn't Filipino food better known, eaten and understood? On this episode of Dirty Linen's Summer Series, we rope in chef Ross Magnaye to talk about the food he grew up with, his path as a chef in Melbourne, and the food he wants to be known for cooking. Dive in for adobo, champorado, coconut vinegar and all the pig! https://www.instagram.com/rossmagnaye/?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's Summer Series continues with chef Jesse McTavish. We asked Jesse to give us a food anecdote and he came through big time! It involves surfing, roadkill, ocean brining, snakes and an unexpectedly delicious roast dinner. https://www.jessemctavish.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/

Our Summer Series rolls on with another story from host Dani Valent. Dani looks back on a formative trip to Turkey, where she turned from travel writer to ever-obsessed food writer. Why did she need to eat a steak before she left home? What's the deal with Lonely Planet guides? And why will Dani never get tired of writing about food? Let's go to Istanbul to find out... 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 kicks off 2021 with a bright, welcoming New Year chat with Samantha Gowing. Sam is a clinical nutritionist and cooking teacher who completely transformed her business in 2020. We talk about reassessing everything, including the value you put on your own work. Sam also shares a killer summer salad recipe that you can cook on the barbecue. Bring on 2021! https://linktr.ee/chefsamgowing 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/

For the last day of 2020, I get in a room with my stablemate Anthony Huckstep and our producer Rob Locke to record our first ever dual Dirty Linen / Deep in the Weeds episode. From Huck's Canberra recording studio (ie dining room), we reflect on the year that was and look forward to the year ahead. And then we go out for dinner! The last bit of this episode is recorded at Pilot restaurant, at the end of an astonishingly good degustation. We haul owner Dash Rumble over to the mic and do an on-the-spot restaurant 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 Summer Series continues with the one and only Alice Zaslavsky, whose In Praise of Veg book has become an instantly essential kitchen companion since its recent release. We chat joy, the art of active listening and the importance of inclusive food communication. We also laugh quite a lot. https://www.aliceinframes.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/

Dirty Linen's Summer Series will be a little bit different. Frequency will reduce and the content will include anecdotes, travel tales and focused chats with fascinating people. We kick off with a story called Christmas 2020: A Victory of the Possible. Dani's reflections on Christmas 2020. Dani didn’t grow up with hard-and-fast Christmas traditions – her family has built them as they went along. But this Christmas was perhaps the sweetest ever. 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 impacts of the Sydney cluster have rippled all the way around Australia, disrupting Christmas and holiday plans in every state, and affecting businesses like Pipit, in northern NSW but close to the Queensland border. We chat about border issues with Yen Trinh, who runs Pipit with her husband Ben Devlin. Yen is also a graphic designer and illustrator and her fun, insightful Chef Widow Club project has been a great creative outlet during 2020. https://yentrinh.com https://www.instagram.com/yenttrinh/ 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/

Four weeks ago, chef Jesse McTavish opened Bar Elvina, the restaurant of his dreams at Avalon on Sydney's Northern Beaches. It was going gangbusters - an instant hit with a close community. Last week, that all unravelled as a COVID cluster invaded the region, leading first to cancellations, then closure, then a lockdown and now to a swift reinvention of Bar Elvina as a takeaway business. Jesse is shellshocked but sanguine - he's in it for the long haul and is trying not to get too rattled by 2020's final hurrah. https://www.barelvina.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/

Sydney restaurateur Giovanni Pilu is deep in the uncertainty of the Northern Beaches lockdown, having had to deal with thousands of cancellations at his restaurant Pilu at Freshwater, plus the anxiety of shepherding his staff through a second closure, this time without JobKeeper. He's waiting for news on next steps from the NSW Government and is trying to stay calm and hopeful in the meantime. https://pilu.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 Sydney scrambles to control a cluster of COVID cases on the northern beaches, and Australia closes its borders to Sydney residents, we chat to Frank Roberts, Food & Beverage Director at Merivale restaurant group which has three of its 70-odd venues on the northern beaches, plus another in Manly. Frank isn't quite having the pre-Christmas week he was planning - he's closed four restaurants and is way down on bookings at the others. He's also strangely calm... https://merivale.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 round off a week of discussing hospitality and representation by talking to Jacob Bettio, newly elected councillor for the City of Moonee Valley in north-west Melbourne. Jacob also owns Ascot Lot (started with partner David and best mate Lachlan when he was just 21) and the newly opened Holmes Hall, an ambitious venue in Moonee Ponds. In all his roles, Jacob is focused on creating rich experiences for a diverse community - we find out what drives him and how he goes about it. https://www.theascotlot.com https://www.instagram.com/holmeshallbar/?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/

We continue talking about representation with Michael Bascetta, co-founder of hospitality hub Worksmith. Michael talks about balancing the demands of his three food businesses - Falco, Capitano and Bar Liberty - with Worksmith, which became an essential virtual gathering place and information source during the pandemic. We discuss the difference between being a loud voice and a representative voice and the frustration of feeling that the wrong person is speaking on your behalf. https://worksmith.io 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/

Our week focusing on representation in hospitality continues. We chat with Jason Chang, a new councillor for the City of Melbourne. Jason owns Calia restaurants in the city and Chadstone and believes that small business needs great representation in the political sphere - especially now, during a pandemic. As well as advocating for hospitality, Jason is proud to represent the city's Asian population and will stand tall to fight the racism that his community experiences. https://calia.co 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 investigating representation in the hospitality industry by talking to James Consiglio, one of the founders of Hospo Voice, which is now part of United Workers Union. Hospitality workers have traditionally not been unionised. Why, in a time of declining unionisation generally, is membership in this union increasing? What are they fighting for, is it reasonable and is it working? https://www.hospovoice.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/

This week on Dirty Linen we are discussing representation in the hospitality industry. Who gets to speak for restaurants, cafes, bars and their workers? Who do they speak to? We kick off with one of 2020's most prominent voices, Restaurant & Catering Industry Association CEO Wes Lambert. He's oft-quoted and often on TV speaking on behalf of restaurants. But does he speak for the whole industry? And does he filter some of the industry's loudest voices to ensure that smaller players are heard too? https://www.rca.asn.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 wraps up a week of running around the country with a trip to Hobart to chat to fine dining waitress Yoana Lemonnier. Yoana is from France and she coming up to three years in Australia on a working holiday visa - that means she's had to do 88 days plus six months rural work to remain here. When the pandemic hit, Yoana had just finished her second stint on a NSW cattle and sheep farm and she was forced to bunker down in Orange during lockdown. It was an anxious time which she's glad to have behind her, and she's happy to be in Hobart building her future. https://www.instagram.com/frenchy_in_boots/ 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 its trip around the country as we head to Brisbane to get the lay of the land from ramen obsessive Taro Akimoto. Taro has four shops in Brisbane and his ambition is to create Australia's best ramen. He talks about the difference between the CBD and the suburbs and what that might mean for his business. Taro also dives deep into some of the detail and craft that goes into making his broth and noodles - did you know there are lots of different Japanese words to describe chewiness? Now I am desperately craving ramen... https://taros-ramen.myshopify.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/

The borders are open and Victorians are FINALLY allowed to go to West Australia so I do - well, via audio at least, and today's chat with Perth-based food writer Max Veenhuyzen. Max talks about how great things are in his home town: the city is busy, the restaurants are full and the vibe is festive. What pandemic? We also chat about food media and whether 2020 is a turning point that means more diverse voices will be heard, both as subject and creator. https://www.instagram.com/maxveenhuyzen/?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 zipping around Australia's cities with a Sydney stop in the 2020 tale of Mike McEnearney from Kitchen by Mike and Carriageworks Farmers' Market. We talk CBDs and airports, produce and hope, and whether the struggle to find staff will prompt a welcome reset or anguish all round. https://www.kitchenbymike.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 chats CBDs - how are they going and can they recover? Sommelier Jane Semple is an owner of new, optimistic, epic sandwich hole-in-the-wall King William Takeaway in a dusty, insalubrious bit of Melbourne's CBD. She also runs Goodie Group, a corporate caterer. Jane has given herself a couple of unofficial roles too: city cheerleader and welcome mat roller-outer - when people do come back into the city, she reckons something as simple as a great sandwich is going to help it feel like a place to be again. https://www.instagram.com/kingwilliam_takeaway/ https://www.kingwilliam.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 wraps up a week of talking about customer behaviour with Jessica Bilston. Jess runs a Melbourne HR consultancy which services many hospitality businesses, including her mum's cafe Bob's Your Uncle. We talk about supporting staff through tricky situations, including a post-lockdown upsurge in abuse. I also try to role play getting mad about a coffee served to me at the wrong temperature - let's just say my Oscar isn't on the way! https://www.instagram.com/positivehr_/ 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/