#347 Alex Meimetis | Koi Toy

#347 Alex Meimetis | Koi Toy

From Conversation with a chef by Jo Rittey

April 12, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

Alex Meimetis shares his journey from Port Melbourne to leading Koi Toy, discussing cultural influences and the essence of leadership in the kitchen.

From growing up in Port Melbourne, cooking alongside his Greek mother, to working across kitchens in Athens, France and Australia, Alex Meimetis’s story has been shaped by movement, patience and an unwavering love of food. It’s a story about learning by watching, earning trust over time, and understanding that leadership, especially in a kitchen, isn’t something you announce, it’s something you show. Now heading up Koi Toy, set within one of Victoria’s most historically complex sites, Pentridge Shopping Centre, Alex cooks in a way that reflects that path. We talked about learning on the job, moving between cultures and cuisines, bringing a team together, and the happiness that comes from creating something and seeing someone else enjoy it.

People in this episode

Host: Jo Rittey

Guest: Alex Meimetis

Topics covered

  • cooking
  • cultural exchange
  • leadership in kitchens
  • food experiences
  • team building

Keywords

  • Alex Meimetis
  • Koi Toy
  • cooking
  • cultural exchange
  • leadership
  • food
  • Pentridge Shopping Centre

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Koi Toy

Places: Port Melbourne, Athens, France, Australia, Pentridge Shopping Centre

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