Kitchen Therapy with Glenn and Tobie

Shane Delia is best known as the director of the Delia Group Restaurants, Maha, Maha East, Maha Bar, Layla and Biggie Smalls. More recently the founder of food delivery marketplace Providoor. His larger than life personality and enthusiasm for food and Australian culture is best captured in his acclaimed television program, Spice Journey. Shane’s energy and creativity continues to engage his customers through his signature brand of Middle Eastern inspired cuisine. He is also an author, charity and brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz Australia, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne City FC and Host Plus. This is one episode that will leave you fired up!

In 2014 Melbourne chef and restaurant owner, Johnny Di Francesco, won the title of World Pizza Champion at the World Pizza Championship held in Parma, Italy. Battling it out against 600 competitors from 35 countries around the world his margherita pizza was simply ‘perfect’. Johnny’s passion and dedication to his craft, combined with a tonne of hard work has grown the Gradi Group from the original restaurant in Brunswick, Melbourne to include restaurants across Victoria, Adelaide, Kuwait, New Zealand, Texas and aboard P&O’s Pacific Explorer Cruise Ship. Johnny is a regular on Australian television, featuring on multiple morning shows, MasterChef Australia and on The Mentor. When he’s not judging pizza overseas, Johnny can be found working the pizza ovens at his restaurants, holding masterclasses and expanding his business. This is an epic story from an impressive chef – hope you enjoy the conversation….

Darren Robertson is a chef, author and co-owner of Three Blue Ducks restaurant group. Commencing his trade in the UK under Michelin starred chef Mark Raffan, he then moved to Australia to work for Tetsuya for 8 years. He is one of the founding members of the Taste of Young Sydney (TOYS), which celebrated collaboration and experimentation in the kitchen. Darren writes for Delicious, has appeared on MasterChef, Iron Chef USA, The Great Australian Cookbook and MKR. When he is not foraging or surfing, he’s in the kitchen cooking, fermenting, pickling, and testing recipes with his family. Join Glenn and Tobie on Kitchen Therapy for a great conversation with an all-round brilliant guy!

Gary Mehigan trained in London at the Connaught Hotel under Michel Bourdan and Hyde Park Intercontinental under Peter Kromberg. These Michelin starred chefs strongly influenced his cooking foundations. Landing in Melbourne he made his mark in a number of kitchens include the Sofitel prior to launching the highly successful Fenix Restaurant and Events, followed by the Boathouse. From early TV appearances on Good Morning Australia, Gary’s media career includes some of Australia’s highest rating series and have been aired in over 110 countries. His passion and knowledge have engaged a global audience and inspired a new generation of young cooks.

Originally hailing from New Zealand’s North Island, Analiese took up cooking at the age of 15. Her extensive CV starts with her time at Logan Brown in Wellington before touring across the world to work in Europe’s most prestigious kitchens, including time at 2 Michelin Star venues, The Ledbury and Le Meurice, World’s Top 50 Mugaritz, and revered 3 star restaurant Michel Bras. Back in Sydney, Analiese spent 5 years alongside Peter Gilmore, heading the team at Quay. She headed up her own Sydney kitchen at Bar Brose, cooking a menu defined by what she would want to cook for friends. Countryside beckoned over the city and having already established strong ties with Tasmania she made the sea change in 2017 to lead the kitchen at Franklin. Today Analiese might be found diving for urchin, crafting produce driven menus or hanging out with her geese.

At the age of six, Victor Liong arrived in Australia and grew up immersed in the multicultural energy of Sydney. His time at Sydney’s world-acclaimed Marque Restaurant remains a significant influence on his approach today. In 2013 Victor opened Lee Ho Fook in Melbourne, where he has gained a loyal following for his unique and creative new style Chinese dishes. Chukka is a collaboration with chef Chase Kojima in Pyrmont, Sydney – converging the distinct flavours and techniques of Japan and China. Victor’s creative vision and desire to collaborate has led to some super-unique experiences, which he discusses on Kitchen Therapy.

George Calombaris is one of Australia’s most recognised chefs. His drive, passion and dedication have placed him at the cutting edge of the industry for many years. Apprenticed at the Sofitel under Raymond Capaldi and Gary Mehigan, he went on to represent Australia at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or culinary grand prix in France. Other accolades include Young Chef of the Year, Best New Restaurant of the Year, a frequent guest on Ready Steady Cook and Judge on MasterChef Australia. His energy and enthusiasm have gained him a global audience. Join Glenn and Tobie as they catch up with a good mate and incredible culinary mind.

Maggie’s career spans farming, food production, television presenting and food writing. She is an essential ingredient in any discussion about food and flavour. A passionate supporter of regional produce, MasterChef Australia regular, Co-host of The Great Australian Bake off, member of the Order of Australia and founder of the Maggie Beer Foundation, her influence in the food industry is to be commended. Join us for a chat with one truly inspiring individual.

Jason Roberts discovered his passion for food at an early age. He speaks with Kitchen Therapy on the powerful connection of food, about taking risks and his experiences in the media spotlight. Splitting his time between Sydney and New York, Jason’s career has engaged many people through his TV appearances, cookbooks, events and philanthropic work. He spent several years as the Executive Chef at Bistro Moncur in Sydney immersed the French cuisine of his mentor, Damien Pignolet. There, his accolades caught the attention of Channel 9, where he became the host of Fresh, before launching into the US market on Good Morning America. Join us for a unique insight into Jason’s journey.

Manu Feildel has become one of the most popular personalities on Australian television as co-host of the long-running Channel 7 series My Kitchen Rules (MKR), he has also joined the judging panel on Australia’s Got Talent and he will be co-hosting the soon to be debuted ‘Plate of Origin’. His great grandfather was a pastry chef, his grandfather and father were chefs, and his mother is a great cook – but as a child Manu saw his future on the stage rather than in the kitchen.

Karen Martini is an award-winning chef, restaurateur and television presenter. As founding chef at the critically acclaimed Melbourne Wine Room and Sydney’s Icebergs Dining Room and Bar she held two chef’s hats in Sydney and Melbourne before establishing Mr Wolf in St Kilda. Karen is the author of 8 cookbooks and for a decade has been the resident chef on Better Homes and Gardens.Join us on Kitchen Therapy as we dive into the food journey of this inspirational chef.