Suncoast Fresh Prodcast

Daniel Mackay is Managing Director of fourth-generation business Mackays Bananas. His grandfather originally started the first-ever banana farm in North Queensland back in 1945 on a small plot by the beach, and since then, it has gone from one success to the next. However, like all farms, they have dealt with their challenges. In today's Prodcast, we delve into how it all began for Mackay Bananas, the achievements, hardships, the growing and breeding processes,  and all the bits in between. We recorded this before the recent cyclone up in North Queensland, but you'll be glad to know that Daniel, his family and the farms made it through. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

We sat down with Richard Mohan, also known as 'the pepper dude', and it was an absolute joy. Richard is our primary supplier of peppers and grows 16 different varieties from all over the world. When we arrived at his farm on the Sunshine Coast, we were greeted by the whole family, including dogs, cows, cats and more. It was insanely beautiful, and although we were only an hour or so from Brisbane, it felt like we had just stepped into an entirely new place. It was lush green and super peaceful. Richard himself is an incredible guy. Someone we call a friend. It was lovely to sit down and talk about all things peppers and learn a little more about Richard's story. You know the drill! Sit back, relax and enjoy! 

The second Prodcast of the 2021 Suncoast series is here! We were lucky enough to speak with the artist and environmental enthusiast Joost Bakker. We were blown away by his creativity, passion and knowledge in all areas of life.  He began as a florist who was installing floral designs in restaurants. Then, before he knew it, he was designing closed-loop/zero-waste cafes and restaurants while launching epic art exhibitions. Now, you'll find Joost at the Future Food System with Jo Barrett and Matt Stone.  In the middle of Melbourne in Federation Square, this home and dining experience is at the forefront of sustainability. Listen in to learn about Joost's fondest memories, the influential moments that shaped him as a person and how his career has evolved...Oh, and a couple of good party stories! Not one for the kids. We think you're going to love it. Enjoy! 

To kick off the Suncoast Prodcast series for 2021, we caught up with our dear friend and the incredibly talented Chef, Jo Barrett! She is currently living in the Future Food System home located right in Melbourne's centre in Federation Square. The Future Food System grows and breeds its own food and is an entirely zero-waste, closed-loop system. She helped build the self-sufficient property with her partner & distinguished Chef Matt Stone and artist & environmental enthusiast Joost Bakker. Jo goes into details about her upbringing and early stages of her career, her rigorous yet rewarding stint as a baker, her ethos for sustainability and indigenous ingredients, her fantastic experience working in places like MoVida, Brothl and Oakridge Wines, and all the bits in between. 

We couldn't have chosen a better candidate to finish off the Suncoast Prodcast Series for 2020! We spoke with Cameron Matthews the day before he opened his pop-up restaurant named Winston, located at Wasabi in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. He is well known for his Spicers' stint where he began as Head Chef and soon after stepped into the General Manager/Executive Chef role, achieving a position amongst the Senior Management team. In 2017, he applied for a Churchill fellowship and got it! He embarked on an adventure to collect new knowledge and experiences throughout restaurants in Spain, the USA, Denmark and the UK. In the end, he wrote a distinguished thesis that gave the word sustainability a whole new meaning in the kitchen. And no, he didn't just write about recycling. We will let you listen to the Prodcast before we tell you too much. Sit back, relax, listen in and enjoy!

The man, the myth, the legend. Wow. We were blown away with the incredible life stories Uday Huja had to share in Prodcast #39. Mr Huja is the Executive Chef of Nineteen at The Star on the Gold Coast, which was recently awarded the Best Hotel Restaurant in Australia! He has worked alongside some of the best chefs in the world in locations like Vegas, Texas, Australia and beyond. His knowledge and experience in food even led him to cook for former US President Barak Obama in 2009. Although he has achieved a lot in his lifetime, his humble manner would suggest otherwise. He doesn't believe in over complicating dishes. He believes dishes have one main ingredient and the rest are merely accompanying ingredients that accentuate the main player. There is a lot more to learn about Uday so sit back relax and listen in. Enjoy!

It was a breath of fresh air to sit down with the legend himself, Jason Saxby, Executive Chef at Raes in Byron Bay! We felt honoured to listen to the stories Jason has collected over his lifetime, including how he trekked through the cold snow in canvas vans, his business adventures, his learnings, ethos, and oh, so much more. We even got a taste of their signature Lobster Roll and Oh.My.God. Get there and try it if you like seafood, it's a real winner. Nevertheless, sit back, relax, listen in and enjoy!

It was a pleasure to sit down with Brendon Barker, Executive Chef and part-owner of two incredible restaurants here in Brisbane - Madam Wu on Eagle Street and Chu The Fat in West End! As we delved into the Prodcast, it became obvious that Brendon's travel and life experiences are what shapes his mouth-watering dishes. Sourcing inspiration from places like the Rusty's Market in Cairns, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Korea, to name a few. We go back in time to learn a little more about Brendon's life and how it all started, how the menus evolve as flavours do, and the challenges the food industry presents for him and his team. Listen in, sit back and enjoy! 

Prodcast #36 is with Ben Williamson, Co-owner and Head Chef of the newly launched restaurant, Agnes. Most known for his 6-year stint at Gerad's Bistro, Ben has a world of knowledge when it comes to sensational food. On entering the sleek and sexy Agnes, we felt this cool and calm energy, immediately understanding why the place was booked out 6 months in advance.  Ben shares the nitty-gritty of how Agnes was born, a few of their creative cooking and prepping processes and how he with his team got through COVID-19 with their extremely successful pop-up bakery. Go crack open a beer or pour yourself a wine, sit down, relax and enjoy! 

What a privilege it was to sit down with the logical Mr Devlin.  He's worked with Noma in Copenhagen and Paper Daisy a little closer to home in Cabarita Beach NSW. Since then, Ben and his wife Yen have opened a little piece of paradise in Postville called Pipit. Oh, and while they were at it, they had their baby girl Penny! He has an authentic way of telling his story, which is realistic and relatable. He shares a few notable life experiences, his day-to-day life, the skill of juggling work with family, and the importance of interpersonal skills. Wow, what a Prodcast, enjoy!