Today's guests are the duo behind one of Margaret River's most loved food stories. Rob Webster and Jess Waldron are the founders of Normal Van an American inspired burger joint that started life as a food truck in 2020 before becoming a bricks-and-mortar venue on Bussel Highway just three years later.

Rob grew up in Toronto cooking in Canada's best restaurants, with time spent in Italy and London before making the move to Australia with Jess.

Jess is also a small batch wine maker, running her own mimimal intervention label. After working at places like Pierro and Vasse Felix, she continues her passion for wine through Normal Van.

Together they share their story behind the Van, the move to bricks-and-mortar, making everything from scratch and their passion for regenerative produce, collaboration and building energy in the Margaret River food scene.

James Cole Bowen is a chef whose career has been shaped by trust, creativity and the kitchens that backed him. James had just taken out Best Bar Dining at The Corner Dairy where he was given the reins of the menu by Tom and Sam Hart, when he made the jump to open Gibney as head chef. That win and the strong relationships built at The Corner Dairy set the tone for what came next.

But the story had long history before then. James had cooked at Le Rebelle, Lulu La Delizia, and in Melbourne, but it was the time at Amusé that truly shaped the chef he is today, and we’ve loved talking to him about it in the podcast.

Now part of the Kailis Group alongside George, Nina and the wider team, James has helped guide Gibney through its opening journey all the way to Restaurant of the Year, and now into its second summer.

On today's episode, we are joined by Bac Pham, the creative force behind North 54 in Leederville.

After apprenticeships at Crown and stints across Perth hotspots like Petition, Besk and Vinotto, Bac launched North 54 as a pop-up series in late 2023 with mate Drew Dawson.

What started at Arrival Hall evolved through venues like The Doubleview Bowling Club into a permanent spot serving tight, nostalgic Vietnamese-inspired bahn mi and noodle bowls with Northern flavours and Thai twists.

Today's guest is a chef who proves that great food doesn't have to live behind white tablecloths. Jacob D'Vauz is chef-owner of Special Delivery and Magnolia BBQ. He has cooked at Rockpool, Madalena's and even for Sir Paul Mcartney, but a defining moment came when he took over the kitchen at the Doubleview Bowling Club.

Burntout from working three jobs seven days a week, Jacob stepped back from big kitchens to focus on creativity, family and accessibility. What followed were packed-out dinner services that rewrote the rules of bowls club dining. Now that ethos lives on through Magnolia BBQ - a pop-up at Modus Coffee in Victoria Park, alongside his role overseeing the menu at Elgin Wine Bar in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

This is Jacob D'Vauz and the story of cooking with culture, care and purpose.

In the studio today is Lachie Bisset, one half of the visionary team behind Perth's iconic North St Store, Wards Dining, Little Loaf and a growing bakery empire dedicated to making exceptional food accessible to all. Partnering with Craig, Lachie has built a community-focused brand with their venues serving as beloved hubs for their legendary baked goods and unpretentious, high-quality fare. We explore Lachie's unique approach to what makes great hospitality and talk about his early love for food and all that's wholesome.

In this episode, we're joined by Sophie Johnston, sommelier at the State Buildings, whose journey into hospitality is as vibrant as the wine she champions.

Originally studying architecture, Sophie pivoted to hospitality, honing her barista skills in London and New York before returning to Perth to open Daphne Cafe. She then went on to restaurant service where her passion for unique wines flourished.

Now working with WA Good Food Guide Wine Awards Co-Chair Emma Farrelly across State Building's venues, Sophie brings her expertise and love for wine to elevate Perth's dining scene.

In this episode, we sit down with Pieter Lottering, the new owner of Harvey Cheese, who traded mining for cheesemaking two years ago. Since taking the helm, Pieter has elevated the legacy of founders Robert and Penny St Duke, who began crafting small-batch cheeses in 2002. We explore Pieter’s passion for local, high-quality WA cheese and Ha Ve’s plans for a new outpost.

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Gonzalez, one half of the passionate duo behind La Tortilla. He shares how the time-honored technique of nixtamalisation—cooking maize with lime or ash—unlocks the true health benefits of corn and the digestibility of tortillas. Alex also shares some handy tips on how to best use tortillas across a range of cooking techniques and his personal favourite way to use this versatile weapon in the kitchen.

In this episode, we sit down with Rene Breuer from Jingili Olive Oil, one of Australia’s largest olive oil producers, commanding 2.5% of the nation’s market. From humble beginnings in 1999, Jingili has grown into a powerhouse with two sprawling groves. We dive into the artistry of blending different varieties to create Jingili’s award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Rene will share the secrets of their “Tree to Table” philosophy, from on-site cold-pressing to their meticulous small-batch Reserve Parcel selection. This is a rich conversation about tradition, innovation, and the pursuit of liquid gold!

In this delicious episode, we sit down with Clement, the passionate French chef behind L’Atelier Gourmet Foods.

Clement is a rising star in artisanal charcuterie who fell in love with Australia on a working holiday visa from Versailles. On this episode he shares his journey of turning a side hustle into a thriving business.