Suncoast Fresh Prodcast

When two wild worlds collide, you get a cyclone of fun balanced with food, travel, videography and so much more. Justin and John are two legends we had the privilege to chat with recently, and it honestly felt like we'd known these guys for a lifetime. They're truly genuine human beings who possess an infectious and charismatic energy. Justin and John (up until our mate rona came in) travelled the globe, met like-minded chefs, cooked and ate some scrumptious food and filmed everything along the way. In Prodcast 65, we dove deep into their lives of being Snow Chef's, what they're trying to create with the hopes to travel and work around the world, a few epic untold stories featuring incredible locations like Japan, how they connect with brands on their trips, how they work together and what each of them brings to the table to make such a great duo. Now, that rona is slowly but surely making its way out, and international travel is soon becoming a thing they'll be back on the road in no time. Listen in to find out what's next for the guys. Enjoy! 

In Prodcast 64, we sat down with Season Six MasterChef runner up Laura Sharrad! Laura's earliest memory of food is at the ripe age of four when she learnt how to make gnocchi, her first-ever dish! After that, she regularly sat on the kitchen benches, watching and helping her nonna's cook and trying every dish along the way. 

She was lucky enough to live a beautiful life surrounded by her heritage and learnt all the secrets to Italian cooking, some of which are revealed in this very Prodcast! We took a gondola through her life, learning about her fruitful upbringing, her fond memories of living in Italy, her short but sweet stint at uni studying teaching, how she applied for MasterChef and when she got that incredible call back to be on the show at just 18. 

We then went into the details of the show, talking about a few behind the scenes moments, how her career flourished after the show and so much more. So, as always, sit back, relax and tune in - enjoy! 

We had the lovely opportunity to sit down with chef, author, food advocate and presenter Dominique Rizzo while away for the @tasteportdouglas festival. Dominique is one of Queensland's leading female chefs who has been within the business of food for over 30 years. She launched her career with a memorable stint on Ready Steady Cook, and from there, took life by the reins, crafting a beautiful story full of tasty flavours and good times. We chatted in detail about the strategies she uses to balance life, her general ethos behind the beautiful dishes she creates, how confidence changes the way you cook in the kitchen, her renowned Food Tours and Travel Experiences (that you can be a part of!), her fantastic cookbooks and last but not least her NEW Cooking School! We had a blast getting to know Dominique, and we think you will too. Listen now and enjoy! 

As I live and breathe! The next Suncoast Fresh Prodcast is with the brilliant Alastair McLeod. He is an absolute legend and someone we're proud to call a dear friend. A committed family man, a cook, the best MC you'll ever come across, a television personality, and last but not least, the Al'FreshCo Catering founder. Alastair McLeod was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, trained classically in Europe, and then worked his way around the globe, working in several Michelin Star restaurants. He now resides in Brisbane, living a conscious life, ensuring he is treading lightly on this earth. 

We caught up with Alastair at the Taste Port Douglas  festival and dug deep into his life and how his career progressed. He tells us stories about his remarkably talented family, speaks about his ethos behind his catering business and so much more. So you know what to do. Sit back, relax and tune in. Enjoy!

We were lucky enough to visit @thestargoldcoast, where we recorded a Prodcast with Carolyne Hemly, the Chef de Cuisine at the Sovereign, in The Star. Carolyn moved to the Gold Coast in 2008 and since then has been the mastermind behind the culinary offering of the property's luxury suite hotel, The Darling. 

Initially, she found herself in the corporate world of communication and acquired her Bachelor of Business Communications and a Master in Corporate Communication at Bond University. However, it wasn't until a San Diego trip where she found herself surrounded by beautiful food and culinary entrepreneurs that she wanted to leap into cooking.

She now leads a team of over 20 chefs and stands tall for all women in leading positions within the kitchen worldwide. Carolyn is a captivating individual who is incredibly genuine and warm. Her food is next level and we loved every moment of this Prodcast. If you would like to learn more about how Carolyne got to where she is today, sit back, relax and tune in! Enjoy.

Episode 60 has hit the decks with Spencer Patrick! He began his career in the 90s, where he was trained by British chef, restaurateur, and TV personality Marco Pierre White, his ultimate dream! His next leap led him to The Café Royal Grill Room in Piccadilly, where he was Head Chef and awarded a Michelin Star at the ripe age of 26. 

Born and bred in Leicestershire, England, Spencer came to Australia in 2008 to pursue a new adventure, and this was the best decision he ever made because Reina came into his life, his beautiful wife. They now find themselves in Port Douglas at their very own restaurant called Harrisons, named after their firstborn son. Oh, and they're even organising Taste Port Douglas, where they're welcoming some of Australia's best chefs and industry experts. This festival is a foodies dream and we're so excited to attend in October. 

It was an absolute joy to crack some beers and learn more about Spencer and his incredible career. To hear more about all the achievements and stops in between, tune in to episode 60 on the Suncoast Fresh Proadcast. Enjoy! 

To find out more about Taste Port Douglas, head to www.tasteportdouglas.com.au 

Here we gooo! Oscar Solomon is next off the rank for our Suncoast Fresh Prodcast. It was an absolute pleasure talking to him and learning more about his story. His career progression is a little different to your typical chef. He started as a designer studying graphic design and textiles and even started a fashion label with a friend in his early 20s. 

Soon after that, he launched himself into cooking and discovered his true passion. He now finds himself as Head Chef at an INCREDIBLE Japanese restaurant along Howard Smith Wharfs called Yoko. Their menu is second to none and everything you eat is of the absolute best quality and freshness, especially the produce. 

We chat about how to keep it fun in the kitchen, hierarchical practices in business, owning your mistakes, training your staff rather than blaming them, how art and design influences his approach to food, his favourite books, the challenge of dietary requirements in the kitchen and ohhh so much more. So what are ya waiting for? Take a break, sit back, relax and tune in!

What's the secret to a pumping Italian restaurant? Well, well, well, wouldn't you like to know! We had an awesome chat with Cordell Khoury, the head chef and co-owner of @beccofinoteneriffe, @juliuspizzeria and @barbrutusbne, and he may have just let us in on the secret... The collective success between the establishments has been astronomical. It's the type of pizza and pasta you'd eat even if you were gluten intolerant because the pain is so worth the gain. So, if you haven't been to Beccofino and tried their famous Duck Ragu pasta or even their classic Calamari, you'll need to get their asap. Or perhaps, you'd be keen for a few drinks at Brutus!? In Prodast 57, we chat with Cordell about how his career progressed, why keeping things consistent matters, his annual trips to Italy & the US and how that influences their approach, plus so much more. Crack a bevvy or pour yourself a cuppa and tune in!

We were lucky enough to visit humble farmers Brendon and Ash Hoyle from Ashbern Farms right near the Glass House Mountains. We felt so welcomed by team and loved every moment of it. We had a tour of the farm, got acquainted with the fastest pickers in Aus and, of course, recorded episode #56 with Brendon on the Suncoast Fresh Prodcast. We discuss the perfect strawberry, soil health, challenges, successes, organics, breeding, sustainable practices, biological control, food waste, farm history, innovations and how things have evolved. 

Each piece of produce is different, and it's imperative to recognise how much work goes into that perfect product. In peak periods, pickers work from sun up to sundown, and growers spend immense amounts of time perfecting soil health, maximising yield, testing varieties, managing pests and disease, and so much more. It was a privilege to learn about the intensive work that goes into it all. We really do appreciate our farmers and suppliers who put in the effort and time to do things right. Tune in to learn more. Link in bio, enjoy!