Deep in the Weeds - A Food Podcast with Anthony Huckstep

With corporate clients leaving the city in droves after lockdown, Jan McKenzie (Café Sydney) had no choice but to mothball the iconic CBD restaurant Café Sydney and stand down almost 140 staff. With restriction easing in New South Wales, the beating heart of Sydney’s dining scene finally opened its doors again – and almost the entire team is back together too.

When the pandemic hit many operators believed the road to recovery was through everyday, heart-warming eats, and that fine dining may have finally had its day. But award-winning chef Peter Gilmore (Quay & Bennelong) believes our shared traumatic experience and realisation that nothing is forever may result in a golden era for special occasion establishments that remind us to live for the moment.

When the pandemic landed Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook) was on the verge of opening a new site at Marvel Stadium, and had successful restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne altering our perceptions of Chinese cuisine downunder. Although it threw everything into turmoil, Liong isn’t one to worry about the past, and believes a bright future lies in a finer dining expression of Chinese cuisine at Lee Ho Fook, in the new dawn of Australian hospitality.

With no one flying and the restaurant sector shut down Rowie Dillon (Rowie’s Cakes) lost all business literally overnight. After spending 20 years building her award-winning offering of award-winning 100% wheat, gluten and dairy free cakes and desserts she’s diversifying her offering to survive.

https://www.rowiescakes.com.au

https://www.instagram.com/rowiescakes/

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Last time we caught up with Annie Smithers, she had closed du Fermier and was yearning to be with her team again. Well, the restaurant is open again and Annie is back on the pans but, but as she tells Huck, things are a little different.

https://anniesmithers.com.au

https://www.instagram.com/kittensmithers/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/du_fermier/?hl=en

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Last time we caught up with Jackie Middleton, she had temporarily closed all Earl Canteen sites and was running a takeaway model from her catering arm. With the industry allowed to trade again, they’ve re-opened and she joins Huck to share how it’s going.

https://www.earlcanteen.com.au

https://www.instagram.com/earlcanteenmel/

https://www.instagram.com/eatingwithjack/

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With the viability of almost every restaurant in the country under pressure due to the pandemic, how crazy would you need to be to open a restaurant during lockdown? Renowned chef and restaurateur David Tsirekas (Homer on Homer) went against the grain and did just that.

https://www.instagram.com/dtsirekas/

https://www.facebook.com/homeronhomer/

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In England the pandemic spread so quickly the government closed down restaurants and it’s put the future of the industry in doubt for many. But Michelin Starred chef Nathan Outlaw (Restaurant Nathan Outlaw and Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen) is seeing this as an opportunity to change his restaurants to a more accessible model that shines a light on seafood and cooking it simply.

https://nathan-outlaw.com

https://www.instagram.com/nathanoutlaw/

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The true impact of the pandemic is beginning to take its toll on many operators. After 20 years, Teage Ezard has closed the doors on award-winning Melbourne institution, Ezard. Even though it’s one of the most devastating moments of his career, the influential restaurateur is already planning something new.

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With restaurants and international markets shut down Scott De Bruin (Mayura Station Limestone Coast, South Australia) saw sales of his award-winning full-blooded wagyu drop to zero literally overnight. But some clever thinking and initiatives he managed to hold on until businesses could open up again.

http://www.mayurastation.com

https://www.instagram.com/mayurastation/

Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram

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Follow Huck

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Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

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