Suncoast Fresh Prodcast

Did you know salt is the world's oldest seasoning? Many of the world's most distinguished chefs recognise the taste advantage of sea salt over other salts. But how is this magic condiment mined.   We've got James White, the General Manager of Olsson's Salt, on the poddy to spill all the salty secrets! With a love for good-quality ingredients, sustainable food and regenerative agriculture, James is here to tell us how Olsson Sea Salt is one of the most eco-friendly seasonings on the planet.   The Olsson family have been crafting their iconic salts since 1948—Australia's oldest family-owned sea salt makers! From cattle to consumers, it's an epic journey you don't want to miss. Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website.

Cooking magpies! Wait what? You'll have to listen in. From working scrubbing dishes at age 12 to winning hundreds of thousands of dollars at global cooking competitions, John McFadden's cheffing journey is nothing short of legendary.   Throughout his epic 35+ year career, he has racked up some pretty impressive titles like World Food Champion in 2022 and World Seafood Champion in 2022 and 2023. Oh, and did we mention he's one of the youngest Aussie chefs to cook at The James Beard Foundation in New York?   He is a true mentor and motivator, and he loves sharing his wealth of knowledge with the next generation of culinary talent. We are so grateful to gain some insight as well as some crazy kitchen tales from him in episode #103. Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website.

Robert Pekin puts the culture into agriculture. The former dairy farmer has lived quite a life— from living wild like Bear Grylls in the Tasmanian bush to working as an aircraft maintenance engineer—he's seen it all. But his journey eventually led him back to his farming roots, with a mission to flip the script on industrial agriculture by promoting it as dignifying life and respecting the landscape.   Enter Food Connect Shed, Robert's passion project and home to over 20 food businesses, including OzHarvest, Food Connect Foundation and Ballistic Beer Co. It's a buzzing hub for the local food economy, where food lovers collaborate to build a healthier, fairer, and regenerative food system.   In this episode, Robert had us feeling incredibly inspired and left us wanting more. Get keen for round 2! Catch episode #102 to hear the real deal on how food, fibre, and agriculture shape our planet—what's the real price of that Maccas burger on our planet? Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website.

Guess who's back? It's the one and only Raymond Capaldi from @raycapaldiconsultancy, joining us for the 7th and final instalment of our @tasteportdouglas Speed Dating Series! Fun fact: Ray once worked at the Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas, where the festival is held every year. He returned this year as an ambassador, marking his 8th year at this incredible event!   In this episode, Ray touches on the controversies that sparked from his previous episode. We chat about how these honest, unfiltered conversations are making waves and supporting chefs dealing with mental health struggles.   Get ready for some big questions: Can food really save the world? You'll have to listen in to find out! Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website.

We've hit the big 100! Who better to celebrate with than the remarkable @michael.lambie for part 6 of our @tasteportdouglas Speed Dating Series.   Michael's culinary journey is nothing short of epic. From being a head chef under Marco Pierre White to bringing his talents Down Under, he's turned England’s loss into Melbourne’s gain. He’s the mastermind behind iconic spots like @taxikitchenmelbourne @lamaroshotel @thesmithprahran and @lucyliumelbourne. Rumour has it that a new restaurant, @junimelbourne, could be spicing up Melbourne’s dining scene very soon… stay tuned!   For over 20 years, Michael has been a culinary trailblazer in Australia, and he's just as passionate about mentoring the next generation of chefs as he is about creating mouthwatering dishes.   Tune in to hear more about his incredible journey and what's cooking next. Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website.

Culinary mastermind @chefiancurley joins us for Part 5 of our @tasteportdouglas Speed Dating Series.   Ian co-owns the kitchens at @frenchsaloon and @kirkswinebar in Melbourne. Ian’s expertise extends beyond the kitchen—he also lends his talents and knowledge to @ovolohotels and @melbourneracingclub through his consultancy work. You might have also seen him on TV shows like Conviction Kitchen, @masterchefau, Yes Chef, and @9postcards.   Part of the legendary 'Brit Pack,' Ian shares wild stories from the intense, high-pressure British kitchens. From a charity dinner in India that had him confined to his hotel room to the last time he shed a tear, Ian doesn't hold back. Plus, he gives us a sneak peek into what he believes is the future of Australian cuisine.   Tune in and enjoy this raw and honest chat. Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website.

Dear friend of the Podcast, @benwilliamsonisgood, is back for Part 4 of our Speed Dating Series from @tasteportdouglas. The real question is, what hasn't Ben been up to? He’s the co-owner of @anyday.hospitality, which owns a string of hotspots including @agnes.restaurant, @agnes.bakery.brisbane, @bianca.restaurant, @same.same.restaurant, @honto.restaurant and @los.landofsmiles.   Despite his packed schedule, he still makes time to head to epic events like the Taste Festival, where he hosts incredible masterclasses. In this episode, he shares what it’s like working alongside chefs he’s admired throughout his career, talks about his decision to cut back on alcohol, and gives us a sneak peek into some exciting travel plans on the horizon.   Crack open a non-alcoholic beer, sit back, relax and enjoy. Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website. 

One of Australia's favourite French chefs and TV royalty @manufeildelofficial joins us for Part 3 of our Speed Dating Series from @tasteportdouglas.   Manu has been lighting up our screens since 2006, starring in favourites like @mykitchenrules, Australia's Got Talent, @plateoforiginau, Boys Weekend, @readysteadycookau, Dancing With The Stars and @sasaustralia. But he doesn’t stop there—Manu’s also crafted his own sauce range, @bymanuf, and even runs a production, catering and event space, @labotaniquesydney. Talk about a multitasking legend.   From the moment Manu started speaking, we were captivated—he's a natural entertainer! In this episode, Manu dives into the incredible friendships he’s built in the industry, the challenges of juggling family and career, and how the game has changed over the years. Have we all gone soft? Manu doesn’t hold back, offering his unfiltered and honest take.   You definitely don't want to miss this one. Hit play and get ready to be laughing along with us. Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website. Link in bio!

Join us for another incredible chat from @tasteportdouglas with globally recognised Chef @markbest, renowned for his consultancy work with @thecalilehotel and his appearances on @masterchefau and @netflix The Final Table.   Mark is like a living encyclopedia, brimming with inspiration, knowledge, and insight. His wise and warm energy is truly captivating.   In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of the festival's standout moments, shares stories behind some epic dishes he prepared at Taste, reflects on the impact of clickbait headlines and media attention, and offers a glimpse into his latest ventures.   It's the perfect time to get comfy, pour yourself a cuppa, and tune in to the legend we know as Mark Best. Available on all your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify, iTunes, or directly from our website. 

Colin Fassnidge (@colinfassnidge) – what a breath of fresh air! We meet some incredible people within the hospitality industry through our Prodcast, and Colin is no exception. We recently spent a few days at @tasteportdouglas and managed to catch up with the man himself. With a career spanning over two decades, Colin is renowned for his bold and refined approach to modern pub dining and nose-to-tail cuisine. He shared captivating stories of his travels, including eating horse and cooking a sheep inside its own stomach, as well as his upcoming adventures with the iconic @fooddiaryseries alongside @james_white__ and @robertroworth From being trained by Raymond Blanc to becoming a TV personality and cookbook author, Colin’s journey is a testament to his creativity and dedication to the culinary arts. As a judge on My Kitchen Rules and the author of Four Kitchens, he continues to inspire with his no-nonsense attitude and innovative cuisine. Tune in to hear about Colin’s dynamic career, his experiences at Taste Port Douglas, his views on modern dining, and his latest projects. This episode is packed with passion and insight—don’t miss it! Available on all your favorite listening platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, and more.

We had an incredible time chatting with the legendary Peter Wright (@globalhospitalitygroup). With over 35 years in the hospitality industry, Peter is a true powerhouse, known for his unparalleled expertise in large-scale event management and global food service. He shared fascinating insights into the world of Olympic and major event catering, reflecting on his experiences from the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the Sydney Olympics and beyond. Peter’s career is a testament to his dedication, from his early days as an apprentice chef to leading major food service projects worldwide. As the new Director of the Chef of the Year Competition, Peter is excited to build on its success and further elevate the competition’s profile. Tune in to hear about Peter’s journey, his commitment to supporting chefs, and his vision for the future of food service. This episode is packed with inspiration and expertise—don’t miss it!

We loved this raw and honest chat with Scottish-born chef Raymond Capaldi (@raycapaldiconsultancy). He shared the highs and lows of life in the kitchen, opening up about his challenging youth and recounting some intense stories of the old-school kitchen culture in Scotland, complete with a few knocks to the head and car park scraps.   Ray’s impressive career includes prestigious spots like the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, the Park Lane Hotel in Hong Kong, the British Embassy in Moscow, and Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas.   Named 'Scottish Chef of the Year' in 1992, Ray is now a familiar face in Melbourne thanks to his time at the Sofitel cooking academy and his pie company, Wonder Pies (@wonderpiesmelb), which he runs with his beautiful wife, Jodie, who is Ray's ultimate right-hand women. This ep is a goodie, so tune in and enjoy!

We have 'a pretty epic' guest on the Prodcast (if you know you know)! Legend Darren Robertson (@darrenrobertsonfood) took a break from surfing and cooking up a storm on insta to join us for episode #92.     Born and bred in the UK, Daz moved to Australia to work for Tetsuya Wakuda at the ripe age of 24. He is extremely passionate about sustainability and ethically farmed produce, which is part of the reason he started Three Blue Ducks (@threeblueducks) with a few of his other mates back in 2012. He aims to provide delicious food in a relaxed setting with that authentic paddock-to-plate feel. It was great to sit down and get his take on what's happening with the food industry at the moment. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Ciao Amici (hello friends)! This ep will leave you inspired and hungry for more! We have an incredible guest joining us for episode 91. Daniela Maiorano lives and breathes Italian food; it's literally in her DNA! Daniela is a fourth-generation chef from Abruzzo, Italy and grew up helping her Nonna roll gnocchi and helping her Dad in the family restaurant.   Food is her love language, and she's on a mission to share that love with everyone she meets. We can confirm we felt it as soon as we walked into her restaurant, Lilium and were greeted with the warmest hug. Passionate about old-school hospitality, Daniela makes having a meal an experience, no rushing, just pure enjoyment. Maybe we should all take a leaf out of her book. You're not going to want to miss this one. You know what to do. Sit back, relax and tune in. Enjoy! 

Oui Oui! We're going global. Welcome back to episode 90 of the Prodcast featuring Grenville Snowdon, one of the owners of The French Garden. The French Garden is a supplier of premium fresh produce in France and Italy, based in London's New Covent Garden Market and Paris's Rungis Market. So, if you've eaten at any of Britain's leading restaurants in the past 25 years, chances are you've enjoyed ingredients supplied by the man himself.  In this episode, Grenville runs us through some of the  differences between the markets in Paris and London compared to our humble ones in Brisbane. He also shares an intriguing tale of one of his truck drivers' unexpected brush with the law! Don't miss out—tune in to episode #90 for more.

We were lucky to have Thai cuisine guru and owner of Short Grain (@shortgrainbymb) Martin Boetz (@martinboetz) in the hot seat for this weeks Prodcast ep! Marty's inventive Asian dishes and iconic restaurants Longrain in Melbourne and Sydney receive acclaim from diners worldwide. After 14 years with Longrain, he returned to Brissie to open Short Grain.  In this episode, Marty details his time working under the mentorship of internationally acclaimed Thai expert David Thompson and how he discovered his love for Thai food and seasonal and unique produce. Get ready for some great stories in Prodcast #89. Enjoy! 

Keen to learn more about exotic fruit? Well, we have the perfect guest - our friend John Picone, the co-owner of Picone Exotics Farm (@piconeexotics)! He's a walking encyclopedia when it comes to exotic fruits! John and his wife Lyndall grow over 300 varieties of tropical and subtropical fruits throughout the year, just a stone's throw away from Byron Bay. In this ep, John gives us an audio tour of his exotic orchard and all the epic varieties he is growing. He also talks about his connection to his land and the sustainable methods they are practising. Tune in to episode #88, and enjoy!

Joining us on the mic all the way from San Diego, California, is Produce expert Bob Harrington (@bobatspecialtyproduce)! Bob is the president of Specialty Produce, a family-owned wholesale produce company in San Diego that's been serving the community since 1989. Specialty Produce is a culinary hub for chefs, foodies and retail consumers. So, basically the Suncoast Fresh of the States!    He is an extremely down to earth guy and accredits much of his success to his epic team. While running this huge operation, Bob is also on what he refers to as his' 100-year' quest to discover and share everything he can about fruits and vegetables. In fact, he's tried just about all of them. Curious to know what his top pick is? You'll have to tune in to episode #87!

Welcome back, friends, to our first Prodcast episode of 2024! Who better to kick this season off than the incredible Mark Best (@markbest). While introductions may not be necessary, we'll give it our best shot!   Mark's catalogue of accolades and accomplishments is never-ending, from starring in the World's 50 best restaurant list to being crowned Chef of the Year a few years back in the annual Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide. We also must mention his onscreen appearance on Netflix's 'The Final Table'! He's the Culinary Advisor at The Calile Hotel (@thecalilehotel), a Restaurateur, Chef, Author, Photographer and Media Presenter. Honestly, what can't he do?   Mark has a unique outlook on food and inspires many aspiring chefs. He is gifted in creating extraordinary dishes out of what are often thought to be 'ordinary' ingredients. Yes, we're talking about the famous parsnip ice cream! To hear more about this recipe and this amazing human, kick back, relax and tune in to episode 86 of the Suncoast Fresh Prodcast.

This episode was a long time coming!  We met Brendan at the Good Food & Wine Show last year. From the moment we met him, it was like a match made in culinary heaven. You know when you meet someone, and you instantly think, "I need to be friends with this guy"? Well, that's exactly what happened. Brendan's charm, quick wit and genuine personality had us hooked faster than you can say "dumpling." Born into a Mauritian Chinese family, this guy was practically raised in a kitchen filled with passionate foodies. And let's not forget his Grandmere, who carried down the sacred art of making lip-smacking dumplings. We're talking about generations of dumpling mastery here, guys! In between all that cooking wizardry, Brendan decided to open his restaurant, and what else would he call it but "Bumplings"? (Brendan, dumplings...get it?!) Before setting up shop permanently in Fremantle, he dabbled in some pop-up ventures, and in the first four nights in 2014 he sold over 10,000 dumplings! This is when he knew he was truly onto something. So, without us revealing too much, hook into episode 85 of the Suncoast Fresh Prodcast. Enjoy!