What's On My Mind - Hello 2026

Love Shack in Castlemaine is a crucial community hub that started as a brewery and has expanded into a full-service pub with great food and friendly vibes, 90 minutes north-west of Melbourne. Its beer was stored at nearby Harcourt Coolstore, which was destroyed in January’s bushfires. We talk to owner Conna Mallett about the week that was and the huge project of recovery. Pubs are always the first to help community…what’s it like when you’re the one that needs helping? https://loveshackbrewingco.beer 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.

Summer always means bushfires in Australia but this season has already been devastating for people, animals and businesses in Victoria. We talk to Pietro Porcu, owner of 30-year-old Da Noi restaurant in South Yarra, whose home and farm in Yarck, two hours north of Melbourne has been destroyed. The farm supplied the restaurant with vegetables, eggs and meat, focusing on high welfare animal husbandry. How do you pick up and go on when there’s no water, no power and ash everywhere you look? https://www.instagram.com/danoi95/ Help Da Noi rebuild https://chuffed.org/project/165218-help-my-dad-rebuild-after-losing-his-farm-to-fire?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0AAGnaje4tmSdYxsWgLP7z6s8vCnXe87YR6E9XNLuqBMjS3PyyqnZcEtYRZm-ruk_aem_sQwmvbOo1tQ9THjn4gxjqA 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.

Dirty Linen is back for 2026. This is a solo chat with me, Dani Valent, covering big topics like the Bondi shootings and bushfires. We set some intentions for 2026 and share some of the restaurants that meant a lot to us in 2025. I’ve missed you…let’s do this. I talk about: Pod with my dad https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/dr-paul-valent-psychiatrist-traumatologist-the-impact-of-disasters/ Aux Deux Amis in Paris https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/david-loyola-aux-deux-amis-dining-in-paris-special-episode-with-dani-valent/ Tinee Suntivatana https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/sutinee-tinee-suntivatana-humble-rays-toris-and-regale-melbourne-the-balance-of-competition-and-collaboration/ Gerald Diffey https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/gerald-diffey-geralds-bar-building-nurturing-and-honouring/ 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.

Dirty Linen visits the Old Macaroni Factory, an 1859 building in Hepburn Springs, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria. The Jens - Jenni Draper and Jennie Wilmoth - have painstakingly restored this historic building, turning it into a space for events and unique accommodation, as well as living on the property themselves. This episode contains a special announcement. https://www.oldmacaronifactory.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.

Erfan Norouzifard is well-placed to talk about the power of hospitality and the true meaning of welcome. He arrived in Australia as a refugee from Iran and was running low on hope when he joined Scarf in 2013. Scarf is a social enterprise that trains refugees in front-of-house skills - with life-changing results. Erfan is now part-owner of Melbourne’s People’s Coffee. Learn more about Scarf: scarfcommunity.org 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.

Fern Barrett (AO Tennis) - https://ausopen.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.

As he opens his second venue, a bar called Moondrop, Steve Chan reflects on Sleepy’s, his inner Melbourne wine bar, and the journey of embracing and expressing his Chinese identity. How does he balance the joy of looking after people with the seriousness of running a business? https://www.instagram.com/scubaschteve/?hl=en 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.

Laura Valli looks at food systems with the perspective of an anthropologist. Born in Estonia and raised on rye bread, her special focus is rye, an underappreciated grain that lends itself to rich storytelling as well as delicious nourishment. This episode is part of our miniseries around Grainz, a gathering of producers, bakers, brewers and sourdough enthusiasts. Listen to our episodes with Nick Shelley and Tania Walter, which are also centred on Grainz. https://www.instagram.com/1aurava11i/?hl=en 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.

Tania and Stephen Walter are biodynamic grain farmers in north-western Victoria. Burrum Biodynamics is a place of dark cracking soil and grey loam, red clay and sand, underpinning fields and wildlife reserves which attract native birds. The Walters grow oats, wheat, barley, lentils and rye according to biodynamic principles. It’s a life of creativity, variety, challenge and meaningful rewards that go beyond yield and balance sheets. ⁠https://www.burrumbiodynamics.com.au⁠ This episode is part of our miniseries around Grainz, a gathering of producers, bakers, brewers and sourdough enthusiasts. Listen to our episodes with Nick Shelley and Laura Valli, which are also centred on Grainz. ⁠https://www.grainz.org.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.

It's Grainz week on Dirty Linen! We spent time with grain growers, users and appreciators at Pomonal, thinking about local food systems and community. Join us for three conversations in and around the Grainz Gathering and grains in general. First up, Nick Shelley from Blue Wren Bakery, our hosts in Pomonal. We talk bread pathways, small business and resilience. https://bluewrenbakery.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.