Dani Valent

Coffee in the morning, wine in the evening, and never the twain shall meet. But what if there are more connections than we might imagine between these two beverages? Elika Rowell moved from the coffee industry, where she was a longtime barista,…

Sommelier Jade Tareha co-owns Noosa’s Humble on Duke with her partner Stacey Conner. After two decades working in hospitality for other people, Jade and Stacey launched their small restaurant in 2020. Owning a business is living the dream, right?…

People get obsessed with all kinds of food styles and cuisines. There’s tradition and detail in everything from sushi to burgers to French fine dining. All give the opportunity to go deep. But I do think there’s a special kind of obsession that grabs…

Lakeside dining by the Winespeake team.

Lakeside dining by the Winespeake team.

Back in 2019, I reviewed a restaurant called Ercolano in Patterson Lakes, an outer bayside suburb of Melbourne. I liked the place. Nino Cucciniello and his family put everything into their restaurant: the pasta, the pizza, the sausages, all made in…

Frankston might be in for its hottest summer yet with the opening of Roccella Lido, a lively all-day eatery (with killer views) inside the local yacht club.

Frankston might be in for its hottest summer yet with the opening of Roccella Lido, a lively all-day eatery (with killer views) inside the local yacht club.

I’m back in Melbourne after a few weeks away, and keen to catch up with you all. In this solo chat, I talk about planning dinner months in advance, travelling through Europe as it melts down, and creating connection, hope and meaning around beautiful…

Nearly 20 years since opening, Fitzroy’s Anada is going from strength to strength – now with a talented new chef on the pans dishing pintxos, paella and tapas.

Nearly 20 years since opening, Fitzroy’s Anada is going from strength to strength – now with a talented new chef on the pans dishing pintxos, paella and tapas.

Make this the year you finally master Halloween pumpkin carving. Sarah Kiryshin gives us the inside scoop on how to do a good (or ghoulish) one.

Make this the year you finally master Halloween pumpkin carving. Sarah Kiryshin gives us the inside scoop on how to do a good (or ghoulish) one.

Postcard from Italy!Dirty Linen is in Europe doing some travel stories. Here's a little snapshot from Sulmona, Abruzzo with chef Daniela Maiorano, a Sulmona native who spends half the year in Australia. What's it like being anchored in longstanding…

Restaurateurs Hung Dao and Cathie Dinh have brought the food of their old home town to Melbourne at Hanoia, where Vietnam’s northern cuisine shines.

Restaurateurs Hung Dao and Cathie Dinh have brought the food of their old home town to Melbourne at Hanoia, where Vietnam’s northern cuisine shines.

The newly hatted Bistro Merenda’s set menu is rustic, made for eating, not Instagram, writes Dani Valent.

The newly hatted Bistro Merenda’s set menu is rustic, made for eating, not Instagram, writes Dani Valent.

This year’s Good Food Guide Trailblazer is Samuel Fraraccio, who goes by the name The Brick Chef. His ovens and grills create the chargrilled taste that defines the hottest menus.

This year’s Good Food Guide Trailblazer is Samuel Fraraccio, who goes by the name The Brick Chef. His ovens and grills create the chargrilled taste that defines the hottest menus.