The Producers: Astrid Birt (Fresh Tracks Farm) - Raise the kids

As Dirty Linen celebrates 5 years, we return to the airwaves with chef, restaurateur and author Annie Smithers, owner of Du Fermier in Trentham, Victoria. Last time we spoke to Annie, we lamented the loss of her water rights. Suddenly, her small farm was imperilled. Now she’s once again able to water her carrots but the overall picture for local food is still a patchy one. Previous podcast with Annie: https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/annie-smithers-du-fermier-babbington-park-kitchen-sentimental/ Story about the water rights ban: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/eating-out/archaic-law-prevents-beloved-chef-from-watering-her-vegetables-20241018-p5kjfv.html Annie mentioned Jono from Brooklands talking abattoirs: https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/jono-hurst-brooklands-farms-abbatoir-access-issues/ And we chatted about Simon Schulz: https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/simon-schulz-schulz-organic-dairy-sharing-tough-realities/ I mentioned Living Culture: https://www.livingculture.org.au/ And Growing on Country: https://yuruwan.teachable.com/p/growing-on-country SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast Follow Dani Valent https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues.  Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Illuminating Lumen episode 5: We’re keeping an eye on Lumen cafe & wine bar in North Melbourne in our Illuminating Lumen series. Today we have a quick catch up with co-owner Emma Sheahan on the eve of the Victorian government raising the payroll tax threshold. It means Emma might be able to pay herself. LISTEN TO THE ILLUMINATING LUMEN SERIES https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2z0EVQvpqPohmYrUGcbLf7 News item: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-22/victoria-payroll-tax-budget-business/105446614 Melbourne Coffee Weekend: https://events.humanitix.com/melbourne-coffee-weekend-2025 Australian Chocolate Festival: https://events.humanitix.com/the-australian-chocolate-festival-by-bean-to-bar-makers-2025 Mould x PinotPalooza: https://pinotpalooza.com.au/pages/mould-x-pinot-palooza-melbourne-2025 Little Food Market https://thelittlefoodmarket.com

How does a bar group find its way when people are drinking less and all eyes are on workplace culture and keeping staff and patrons safe? We chat to Anthony Drew, GM of Good Company Bar Group, which has 11 Melbourne venues and more in the wings. https://www.gcbg.com.au SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast Follow Dani Valent https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues.  Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Friday on my mind, an occasional series where I share what I’ve been eating, drinking, doing and thinking. Dirty Linen is five years old! I talk about Bendigo Taco Trail, cafes opening nights, a French gastronomy festival and the modern pub. Then I read out my story about wheat, published recently in Good Weekend magazine. Hope you enjoy! Bendigo Taco Trail https://www.bendigoregion.com.au/explore-bendigo/the-taco-trail Cafes & more https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/by/dani-valent-hven6 So France So Good https://www.sofrance-sogood.com/ Pubs for A Plus https://aplusinsights.com.au/articles/the-great-pub-renaissance Wheat Story https://www.theage.com.au/national/in-100-years-one-wheat-farming-family-had-never-tasted-their-own-flour-until-now-20250428-p5luos.html SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast Follow Dani Valent https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues.  Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

What’s it like breaking down a beast in front of 6000 whooping butchery fans? Troy Wheeler from Meatsmith knows, because he was recently part of the Australian team that went to Paris to compete in the World Butchers’ Challenge, coming home with an impressive podium finish. We talk about the art of butchery, why it’s still motivating and engaging, and the unfortunate lack of rabbit in home kitchens and on restaurant menus. https://www.instagram.com/troythebutcher/?hl=en https://meatsmith.com.au SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast Follow Dani Valent https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues.  Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Simon Schulz is a third generation dairy farmer and processor in Timboon, in south-western Victoria. It’s been the driest two years on record and recent rain, though welcome, isn’t a total fix for the pasture or the business. Simon talks about the pressures on farmers, the lack of assistance and understanding from government and the importance of sharing tough realities with the public and customers of Schulz Organic Dairy. Why isn’t access to nourishing food a priority at all levels of government? https://schulzorganicdairy.com.au Listen to Simon on THE PRODUCERS PODCAST https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/simon-schulz-schulz-organic-dairy-grass-to-glass/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast Follow Dani Valent https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues.  Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

There’s your everyday morning porridge and there’s The Golden Spurtle, the world porridge-making championships held each year in Scotland. Australian film maker Constantine Conti had a mate in the running and was so intrigued he made a documentary about the competitive combination of oats, water and salt, and the way food brings people together, even as it pits them against one another. The Golden Spurtle: https://www.sff.org.au/program/event/the-golden-spurtle/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram      https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Huck https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Deep in the Weeds is a food podcast hosted by Anthony Huckstep in conversation with chefs, food producers and members of the hospitality industry. An Australian Food Podcast from the Deep in the Weeds Network.

What drives a chef to open (and keep opening) small businesses in a challenging market? Sutinee ‘Tinee’ Suntivatana owns Humble Rays, Tori’s matcha cafe and Regale Asian-Australian fusion restaurant in Melbourne. We talk about being a female chef and a women in business, the balance of competition and collaboration, and the excitement of serving eye fillet with Massaman curry red wine jus. https://www.instagram.com/thisistinee/ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast Follow Dani Valent https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues.  Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Are we worried about winter? We continue our occasional series chatting to the people of Lumen, an independent cafe and wine bar in North Melbourne. Today’s guest is co-owner Marichi Clarke. We talk about the state of the food world, the ups and downs of the seasons, and why he’s still energised about his business despite the challenges. https://www.lumenpeople.com SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5 Follow Dirty Linen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirtylinenpodcast Follow Dani Valent https://www.instagram.com/danivalent Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ Follow Huck (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Dirty Linen is a food podcast hosted by Australian journalist Dani Valent. A respected restaurant critic and food industry reporter in her home town of Melbourne, Dani is a keen, compassionate observer of restaurants and the people who bring them into being. Whether it’s owners, waiters, dishwashers, chefs or members of ancillary trades from tech to pottery, Dani interviews with compassion, humour and courage. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in investigating pressing issues.  Dirty Linen is an Australian food podcast produced by the Deep in the Weeds Podcast Network.

Keen to escape the city life, Astrid Birt (Fresh Tracks Farm) took over the family property in rural Western Australia where she is now raising a young family, cattle, sheep and chickens on a small-scale regenerative farm. ⁠⁠https://freshtracksfarm.com.au⁠⁠ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTICLES, NEWS, GIVEAWAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES ⁠⁠https://deepintheweeds.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d33e307cf7100cf947e2e6973&id=d17d8213f5⁠⁠ Follow The Producers on Instagram ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/producerspodcast/⁠⁠ Host Dani Valent  ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/danivalent⁠⁠ Host Anthony Huckstep ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/⁠⁠ Executive Producer Rob Locke ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/⁠⁠ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork⁠⁠ The Producers is a food podcast telling the stories of producers, farmers, growers and makers.. A Deep in the Weeds Production An Australian Food Podcast from the Deep in the Weeds Network.