Ever wondered what goes on in the kitchens of Melbourne’s restaurants? Conversation with a chef gives the back story of our city’s favourite eating spots. This is not a slick podcast, in fact it's pretty rustic. I'm Jo Rittey. I'm a French teacher and food writer and not that great on the technology. What you'll hear is the conversation how it happened, with no bells and whistles. I'll work on that!
Tucked away in a little shopping village in Beaumaris, Hinata Premium Sushi and Sashimi is a neighbourhood Japanese restaurant where chef and owner Thant Aung brings almost two decades of experience to a menu of beautifully fresh sushi and sashimi, hand rolls, comforting curries and generous Japanese meals. Thant's journey began washing dishes at a sushi train in Queensland, eventually taking him to Nobu Melbourne and, finally, a restaurant of his own. Joining us for the conversation was Aaron Kher, a recent MasterChef semi-finalist who has been spending a few days each week in Thant's kitchen, learning the finer points of Japanese cooking. I loved the warmth between these two, particularly the way their relationship has become a genuine exchange of knowledge and ideas. Thant has years of professional experience to share, while Aaron brings a different perspective and plenty of curiosity. I was also delighted to discover that Hinata participates in Too Good To Go, the food rescue app I wrote about for Broadsheet when it launched in Melbourne in 2024. Through the app, users can purchase a Surprise Bag of food that might otherwise go to waste. Thant would much rather see his beautiful food enjoyed than thrown away, and it's already brought new customers through his door. There was plenty of laughter around the table, and what stayed with me was the generosity of two cooks at very different stages of their careers who are genuinely excited about what they can learn from one another.
18 Oct 2026
#389 Deepak Mishra | Bungalow 147 By the Bay
Williamstown was buzzing when I drove over to meet chef Deepak Mishra. The sun was out; the waterfront was busy and finding a car park took longer than the drive from Port Melbourne. A few blocks back from the bay, I found myself admiring the old cottages and streetscapes before heading to Bungalow 147 By The Bay, Deepak's soon-to-open restaurant on Nelson Place. The restaurant occupies a heritage building dating back to 1869, which he and his business partners stumbled upon while having a coffee nearby. After almost three decades working in luxury hotels across Australia, India, Dubai, Singapore and Europe, Deepak is finally opening a restaurant of his own. His career began with a fascination for chefs in their immaculate white jackets and included three unsuccessful applications to work with his mentor, Tom Milligan, before persistence finally paid off. We settled in for a chat surrounded by original fireplaces and the bustle of a restaurant taking shape. Deepak has some wonderful plans for the space, and I'm already looking forward to making another trip across the bridge when Bungalow 147 opens.
15 Oct 2026
#388 Emily Soley | Love Letter to the Inner North
There was a queue out the door when I arrived at Dear Neighbour on Smith Street for the opening of Emily Soley's exhibition, A Love Letter to the Inner North. I remember looking around at the crowd and thinking, this is so Melbourne. Thirty-one beautiful watercolour illustrations of the pubs, restaurants, cafes and neighbourhood institutions that mean so much to so many of us. Emily is the artist behind Draw My Home, and what began as a love of drawing people's houses has grown into something rather special. Her illustrations capture the personality of a place, from the tiles and signage to the wine bottles in the window. But it's the stories attached to these buildings that make them so appealing. First dates, weddings, Friday night drinks, the regular table at your local. All those little rituals that become part of our lives. We had such a lovely conversation about our shared affection for Melbourne's north, the emotional connections we make with hospitality venues and the way Emily's work is becoming an archive of places that may not always be there. We talked about old favourites, changing neighbourhoods and the ghosts of venues past. I came home from the exhibition with a beautiful illustration of Jim's Greek Tavern, and I've already got my eye on Emily's next Food of the North calendar. If you haven't been to see A Love Letter to the Inner North, there's still time. It's at Dear Neighbour, 311 Smith Street, Fitzroy, until 1 November. Go and have a wander, find a place that holds a memory for you, and perhaps take a little piece of the north home.
Who has been a guest on Conversation with a chef
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Antonio Loffredo
Daniel Livingstone
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Aaron Brodie
Haitham Richani
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Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100
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