In this episode of The Local Palate, Cam O’Keefe sits down with Mike Jacques, executive chef of TARRA Queenscliff, a waterfront restaurant redefining what destination dining looks like on the Bellarine.

From Michelin-starred kitchens in the UK to leading one of the region’s most unique dining rooms beside the ferry terminal, Mike shares how place has reshaped the way he cooks. He reflects on building a menu that mirrors the landscape, his commitment to local produce and seafood, and the philosophy of doing simple things extraordinarily well.

The conversation also explores the realities of modern hospitality, from rising costs and shifting customer habits to the importance of identity, community and creating venues worth travelling for. Along the way, Mike opens up about kitchen culture, moving away from old-school intensity, and leading teams with a more thoughtful, sustainable approach.

It’s a grounded conversation about food, leadership and the evolving story of the Bellarine as a serious dining destination.

🎙️ Recorded at TNG Studios in Torquay
🌊 A restaurant on the water, shaped by its surroundings
🍽️ Simple things done extraordinarily well

Available now on your favourite podcast platform.

In this episode of The Local Palate, Cam O’Keefe sits down with Andy Pobjoy, the founder of Piano Bar — a Geelong institution that’s brought people together through song, storytelling and good times for over ten years.

From his days performing on cruise ships to navigating COVID livestreams and the pressures of modern hospitality, Andy reflects on what it takes to keep a venue thriving in a changing city. He shares candid insights into the business, the community, and why experience still matters more than ever.

It’s a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the soundtrack of a city that loves to sing.

🎙️ Recorded at TNG Studios in Torquay
🎹 From cruise ships to coastal gigs — Piano Bar is more than a venue
📍 Follow @thelocalpalatehospo for more stories like this
Available now on your favourite podcast platform.

In this episode of The Local Palate, Cam O’Keefe sits down with Steven Paul, General Manager at Oakdene Wines and one of the driving forces behind Geelong’s wine reputation.

From cellar door tourism to alternative varietals and the future of Australian wine, Steven shares insights from over two decades in the industry. He talks about what makes Geelong unique, how the wine show scene has evolved, and why Shiraz might just be the region’s quiet hero.

It’s a conversation about connection — to land, to craft, and to a community that drinks local.

🎙️ Recorded at TNG Studios in Torquay
🍷 More than a vineyard. This is regional wine with purpose.
📍 Follow @thelocalpalatehospo for more stories like this
Available now on your favourite podcast platform.

In this episode of The Local Palate, Cam O’Keefe sits down with Hugo T Armstrong — founder of the Blues Train, long-time festival director, and one of Geelong’s most passionate live music advocates.

From the early days of Queenscliff Music Festival to food trucks, venue culture and the pressures facing today’s promoters, Hugo shares stories from three decades in events and entertainment. It’s a conversation full of humour, insight and hard-won wisdom from someone who’s helped shape the region’s cultural identity.

🎙️ Recorded at TNG Studios in Torquay🎶 Festivals, food and the fight for live music📍 Follow @thelocalpalatehospo for more stories like this
Available now on your favourite podcast platform.

In this episode of The Local Palate, Cam O’Keefe is joined by Tracy Carter, Executive Director of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine.

From pandemic recovery to mentoring programs, new events and the game-changing Convention Centre on the horizon, Tracy shares how she and her team are helping local venues not just survive but thrive. She reflects on what’s changed for the region, the importance of partnerships, and why a stronger midweek economy could be the key to long-term growth.

It’s an inside look at tourism as place-making, and the quiet, consistent work that powers a whole community.

🎙️ Recorded at TNG Studios in Torquay
🌿 Local leadership, long-term vision
📍 Follow @thelocalpalatehospo for more stories like this
Available now on your favourite podcast platform.

In the debut episode of The Local Palate, Cam O’Keefe sits down with Torquay chef and restaurateur Graham Jefferies, the force behind the reinvented Samesyn 2.0.

From a kitchen with no bin to a menu built on rescued ingredients, Graham shares how a post-pandemic pivot led to a bold new purpose. He opens up about food waste, sustainability, partnering with Feed Me, and how his small team of chefs now runs the entire dining experience from prep to plating to pouring the wine.

It’s a story of local flavour, global thinking and the unexpected power of a shared mission.

🎙️ Recorded at TNG Studios in Torquay
🍽️ More than a restaurant. This is hospitality with intent.
📍 Follow @thelocalpalatehospo for more stories like this

Available now on your favourite podcast platform.

Here's a taste of The Local Palate with Cam O'Keef