The Melbourne Digest

The Who: Jess Tosh & Joe Grimshaw of Northern Soul The What: Real fish and chips, English culinary delights of curry sauce and mushy peas, food trucks to bricks and mortar store, music and tastes of home. The Why: Fish and chips and English favourites are just the beginning for Northern Soul. Stay tuned. Jess and Joe's Recommendations:BabkaLuneBelles Hot ChickenShawcross PizzaShujinko Ramen

The Who: Mary Akindele of Sam's Cafe. The What: The ins and outs of running a cafe, being the centre of a neighborhood, coffee regulars, mega toasties, career changes and lots and lots of laughs. The Why: Mary has the best energy. She is heaven - get swept up in the joy!Mary's Recommendations:StokehouseCicciolinaBulleye Banh MiGalleon CafeAyam Penyet Ria

Hold the phone - it's something new for this week's episode - you're stuck with me! Don't fret though, this is not permanent. I promise we will resume normal programming next week. In the meantime, in this episode I try out some of the recommendations from the past ten episodes and see how they stack up. Do they really deserve a place as one of Melbourne's best food destinations (hint, the ones I tried in this episode most definitely do). It's a bite sized, snackable episode full of fabulous food. Enjoy!Visit the 'Favourites' page for the full list. 

The Who: Asha of Luna Blu GelatoThe What: This is the episode for anyone who has ever dreamed of quitting their job, moving to Italy and signing up for gelato university to then come home and open a gelato shop. I'm not jealous. Really, not even a little. The Why: It's a great study of a couple who are passionate about food and living the life they want (whilst being surrounded by the food they love).Asha's Recommendations:Zelda BakeryBaker BleuElwood SourdoughAptus SeafoodsGood NightsSpringvale Markets

The Who: Chef Hilary WroeThe What: Hearing about how the other half live through the eyes of Hilary as she worked at some of New York and Melbourne's best and Michelin star restaurants. Not to mention a whole education in New Zealand home baking and the delivery business Hilary ran from her kitchen. Divine.The Why: Who doesn't love a juxtaposition between the top of the top in the culinary world and the simple pleasures and home comforts of Nanna's baking?Hilary's recommendations:EmblaBar ThymeBread ClubAgathe PatisserieEmerald DeliGelato Messina 

The Who: Deborah Monaghan of My Melbourne Bucket ListThe What: Lots of hidden secrets from someone who spends her days looking for amazing Melbourne food. I learnt a lot. You will too. (Not to mention that Deb is a delight). Also food culture through the lens of social media and the future of food recommendations. The Why: Wrapping up season one of The Melbourne Digest on a high with some seriously good recommendations. Show NotesFind My Melbourne Bucket ListDeb's recommendations: Jimmy O'Neill's Whiskey and AlehouseSam's Cafe S.O.S Cafe Hola Con Lola Spanish cooking classNewmarket Hotel

The Who: Webster and May from Parker Bros. The What: Baked goods, Parker rolls, chai cinnamon scrolls, why you should just go for it, starting a business in your apartment, the shop dream. The Why: When they're huge you'll be able to say you knew them before they were famous. Show NotesFind out more about Parker Bros here. 

The Who: Eddy Urias-Castro of Munch BakeryThe What: Eddy's favourite bakery, fast food, hidden secret and dessert, PIES, the joys of Malaysian food, some sneaky extra tips for where to eat at South Melbourne Market, and stumbling on hidden suburban food gems. The Why: Eddy loves food and I now love listening to Eddy talk about food. Show NotesFind out more about Munch BakeryEddy's recommendations: Candied BakeryClaypot's Evening Star sandwich stallKantan Catering Cannoli Bar

The Who: Zahara Valibhoy of Beurre CakesThe What: Baking careers changes, anxiety, working as a pastry chef in Paris, the fun behind Beurre, baking wins and sad fails, a few great recommendations. The Why: Delicious cake. Obviously. But also Zahara is delightful to interview - warm, opening, engaging, funny. Show NotesFind out more about Beurre here. 

The Who: Daniel Chamravi of Northside ChallahThe What: Daniel's favourite bar, restaurant, grocer and fast food in Melbourne, birthdays on Victoria street, the best history of food lesson, my new favourite spice mix and the secret to finding the best ingredients. The Why: Daniel is the best conversationalist who has a passion for food. We put them together in this interview. Enjoy the results!Show NotesFind out more about Northside Challah Daniel's recommendations:Elysian Whisky BarVery Good FalafelHai Xuong Fresh FishMarko's Schnitzel

The Who: Julie Boening of American Doughnut KitchenThe What: How to keep two 70 plus year old vans up and running, taking over the business following Julie's father's death, sugar bowl antics, being a Melbourne icon and the South Yarra yeast factory. The Why: Prior to this interview, I didn't know the story behind this Melbourne icon. I'm so, so very glad I now do. It's a cracker. Show NotesFind out more about the American Doughnut Kitchen

The Who: Greg Dee and Tracy Harvey of Elwood SourdoughThe What: How you can fall into converting half your suburban house into a bakery, turning a hobby into a business, secrets to making the best sourdough, the meaning behind the bakery's distinctive mural and sculptures.The Why: Greg and Tracy give the best interviews. Also, hear Tracy's song to celebrate their spotties.Show NotesFind out more about Elwood Sourdough and their stockistsFind out about The Leaf Store as mentioned by Greg

The Who: Nornie Bero of Mabu Mabu (including Mabu Mabu Tuck Shop at Yarraville and Big Esso at Federation Square)The What: Growing up in Torres Strait and cooking fish on the beach and pickling octopus collected from the reef, how this food empire took off, the beginners guide to native Australian ingredients to have in your pantry, awesome native Australian drinks company, and what green ants taste like.The Why: Nornie is an all round brilliant person with awesome stories of growing up in the Torres Strait. In between laughing, Nornie shares the native Australian ingredients we should all have in our pantry.Show NotesFind information about Big Esso, The Tuck Shop, Mabu Mabu Catering and the Mabu Mabu shop Browse the delicious gins and vodkas from Seven Seasons mentioned by Nornie

Something's cooking in the podcast kitchen (thankfully, it's not puns.) Non-wanky Melbourne food stories coming soon.