Dirty Linen - A Food Podcast with Dani Valent

After decades in hospitality, including 18 years at Melbourne institution France-Soir, Franck Sammut has opened an all-day pizza restaurant called Upper Middle.

What has kept Franck engaged with restaurant life over so many years, and what challenges is he striking as a first time business owner?

Also, how is the tarte tatin so good?

https://www.instagram.com/uppermiddlesouthmelb/

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

In a challenging time for hospitality, I’m also struck by the optimism and investment. It happens with an eye on business opportunity, for sure, but it’s also because of an enduring belief in gathering. Who better to talk about that than an Irishman?

Liam Ganley owns The Fifth Province and Freddie Wimpoles in St Kilda, as well as four other pubs. With a background in construction and pub culture in his veins, we talk about tradition, innovation and the journey.

https://www.ganleygroup.com.au

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

We’re back with chef and lamb farmer Jenna Abbruzzese from Addington Downs as part of an ongoing Dirty Linen series. Since we spoke last time, Dani has eaten some of Jenna’s lamb. What’s it like to cook and eat an animal that you’ve seen frolic around on Instagram, that has a name, and that died to be your dinner?

Also mentioned:

Charles Massy’s book, Call of the Reed Warbler

Charlie Arnott’s podcast, The Regenerative Journey

Brooklands Farm:

https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/jono-hurst-brooklands-farms-abbatoir-access-issues/

Grounded

https://groundedaustralia.com.au/

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Is it possible to create a balanced, intentional, happy life as a chef?

Sarah Baldwin, chef and owner of Joy Restaurant in Brisbane, is making it happen. The seven-year-old restaurant serves a set menu four nights a week to two sittings of just 10 people. Joy has won many awards but this conversation is more about connection and vulnerability than accolades.

https://www.joyrestaurant.com.au

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Every now and then, we check in with Emma Sheahan from Lumen People, a cafe and wine bar in Melbourne’s Fitzroy. Our Illuminating Lumen series is all about small business: the joys as well as the tricky bits and challenges. As winter kicks in, we talk carrots and cakes, beetroot and lamb jus, and the ongoing puzzles of costing and pricing.

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

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

We love a milestone on Dirty Linen! Geppetto Trattoria in East Melbourne is celebrating 45 years, marking its 1981 opening with a pasta mista for $19.81 all week.

We talk to owner Adriano Cea about legacy, lovely customers and his dad Nino, who’s still shopping Preston Market for the restaurant’s daily specials.

Now, to get onto the secret coniglio (rabbit) list…

⁠https://www.geppettotrattoria.com⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/geppettotrattoria/⁠

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

⁠https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5⁠

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

⁠https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast⁠

Follow Dani Valent

⁠https://www.instagram.com/danivalent⁠

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

⁠https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/⁠

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

⁠https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/⁠

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

⁠https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork⁠

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Is there a good reason to buy a grand champion wagyu beast for tens of thousands of dollars and bring it into Australia for diners to try?

Emily Yu thinks so.

Her team outbid all others in a Japanese auction to secure the best beast, which is now being served at her Melbourne restaurants Wagyu Ya, Yakikami and Niku Ou.

We talk about the surprising qualities of premium wagyu and the best ways to enjoy it.

https://www.wagyuya.com.au

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

If we’re lucky, we’ll get old. But if we end up in aged care, as many of us will, what are the meals going to be like? David Martin is the executive chef at St Vincent’s Care, which offers retirement living and aged care in New South Wales and Victoria. A former five-star hotel chef, he is soon to compete at the National Chef of the Year competition at Food & Hospitality Week 2026, coming up on 25–27 May at ICC Sydney.'

https://fhweek.com.au/speaker/david-martin/

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

We last spoke to Pietro Porcu in mid-January after his home and farm in Yarck, two hours north of Melbourne, was destroyed by bushfires. Four months later, how is he going and how are things at Da Noi, his 30-year-old Sardinian restaurant? We talk recovery, frustration, opportunity, acceptance and why goats and pigs can’t be in the same paddock.

http://danoi.com.au

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

How did ‘health food’ get so off track and became expensive, elitist and anxiety inducing?

Muesli whisperer and naturopath Catie Gett recently made a scary leap from the wellness world’s cool kids’ table to the very real world of sharing budget-friendly recipes for people stretched by a cost-of-living crisis. The Staple Store Cookbook is enabling, accessible and anxiety free.

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

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5

Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast

Follow Dani Valent

https://www.instagram.com/danivalent

Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/

Follow Huck (Executive Producer)

https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS

https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork

Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues. 

Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.