The Fearless Kitchen Podcast

Food brings people together - it is the only language you need. When I was in my 20s I headed to Rome without any agenda. I just wanted to experience the city and try some food. Things can head in any direction if you don't have a plan and that is exactly what happened. I love that. I love surprises and adventures which are unplanned. Of course it is easier when you are alone and I always used to travel alone in the hope for adventure. 

Even now I will venture into cafes alone and love the chance to connect with someone whilst I am there - and naturally it is usually over a bowl of food! This adventure may suggest I am on the edge of sensible - and I guess I probably was but I would do it all over again. 

Christine Manfield came into my life long before I met her. The recipes she wrote and compiled into her book Paramount, over 20 years ago, were my first introduction to South East Asia and I was quickly in love - with the flavours, the piquant hints of spice, the merging of ideas and cuisines into a dish. The layout was unique, the recipes were real and lengthy and resulted in layers of deliciousness and I was truly immersed. To meet Christine used to be a dream, and at the MFWF it became my reality. You will hear the excitement in my voice as I introduce her and throughout our chat. I really connected with Christine - well I felt as if I already knew her so hardly surprising. Her youthfulness, in spite of her age, is testament to anyone that if you work in the area you truly love and are passionate about then nothing is an obstacle for success.

Antonio Carluccio, OBE, OMRI, the Godfather of Italian cuisine, chef, restaurateur and food expert, flew from the UK to Melbourne for the Food and Wine Festival, where I had the pleasure to meet this most loved and respected cookery writer and champion of Italian gastronomy. Antonio was just shy of his 80th birthday relaxed and clearly chuffed to be in Melbourne and the centre of attention at the World's Longest Lunch where 1722 people are seated to enjoy a meal he orchestrated. The entire festival was an amazing feat of organisation and passion, but this lunch was truly unique and super special. To have the opportunity to share this with my listeners and for you to hear the buzz and inspirational words from Antonio is a gift, I am proud to give.

I’m in love with Melbourne, & Lyon Street brings back a host of extraordinary memories. When the opportunity arose to work at Tony Sassi's it was so exciting for me and for my bar friends who’d visit me. These were heady student days and I loved every minute of them. Join me as I share this story with you.

This is my first solo episode where you’ll hear just from me without an interview. I’ve chosen to add some stories into the podcast to share my own story and the challenges I also face as a passionate lover of food, a lover of motivating others - and how I try to pull this together to successfully make it my life. 

Manish Tyagi has followed his passion, through fate and circumstance, through the hand of God and through his own diligence and determination to succeed. When you listen I guarantee you will be uplifted, energized - probably ready to book a ticket and then a table to visit this Chef in San Francisco.

Niki Bezzant is a writer, a speaker, an editor and an eater! A believer in balance, she speaks out against diets and 'faddish' eating types of lifestyles because to her they are unsustainable. She is the President of the Food Writers of NZ Association and Editor at Large of the Healthy Food Guide NZ.

Jacques Reymond, a composer of ingredients into dishes and dishes into occasions. Known as the founder of modern Australian cuisine, Jacques came to Melbourne over 30 years ago. Jacques will play an integral part in the annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, held over 2 weeks from the 31st March 2017. 

My hero; Peter Gordon is Chef extraordinaire, Consultant Chef to AirNZ, passionate food lover, Exec Chef of The Providores in London, The Sugar Club and Bellota in Auckland, and co-founder of Cross Town Doughnuts in London.

Trudi and I chat about our mutual love of food, of sharing food and how our lives are totally intertwined with our passion of food. Trudi shares how she and her husband Mark are literally living and breathing their business; the Fresh Factory in Mt Eden. Plus, I announce my rebrand to 'The Fearless Kitchen'.