The Melbourne Digest Bridget Wood

The Who: Jess Tosh & Joe Grimshaw of Northern Soul 
The What: Real fish and chips, English culinary delights of curry sauce and mushy peas, food trucks to bricks and mortar store, music and tastes of home. 
The Why: Fish and chips and English favourites are just the beginning for Northern Soul. Stay tuned. 
Jess and Joe’s Recommendations:
BabkaLuneBelles Hot ChickenShawcross PizzaShujinko Ramen

The Who: Mary Akindele of Sam's Cafe. 
The What: The ins and outs of running a cafe, being the centre of a neighborhood, coffee regulars, mega toasties, career changes and lots and lots of laughs. 
The Why: Mary has the best energy. She is heaven - get swept up in the joy!
Mary's Recommendations:
StokehouseCicciolinaBulleye Banh MiGalleon CafeAyam Penyet Ria

Hold the phone - it's something new for this week's episode - you're stuck with me! Don't fret though, this is not permanent. I promise we will resume normal programming next week. In the meantime, in this episode I try out some of the recommendations from the past ten episodes and see how they stack up. Do they really deserve a place as one of Melbourne's best food destinations (hint, the ones I tried in this episode most definitely do). It's a bite sized, snackable episode full of fabulous food. Enjoy!
Visit the 'Favourites' page for the full list. 

The Who: Asha of Luna Blu Gelato
The What: This is the episode for anyone who has ever dreamed of quitting their job, moving to Italy and signing up for gelato university to then come home and open a gelato shop. I'm not jealous. Really, not even a little. 
The Why: It’s a great study of a couple who are passionate about food and living the life they want (whilst being surrounded by the food they love).

Asha's Recommendations:
Zelda BakeryBaker BleuElwood SourdoughAptus SeafoodsGood NightsSpringvale Markets

The Who: Chef Hilary Wroe
The What: Hearing about how the other half live through the eyes of Hilary as she worked at some of New York and Melbourne’s best and Michelin star restaurants. Not to mention a whole education in New Zealand home baking and the delivery business Hilary ran from her kitchen. Divine.
The Why: Who doesn’t love a juxtaposition between the top of the top in the culinary world and the simple pleasures and home comforts of Nanna’s baking?
Hilary's recommendations:
EmblaBar ThymeBread ClubAgathe PatisserieEmerald DeliGelato Messina 

The Who: Deborah Monaghan of My Melbourne Bucket List
The What: Lots of hidden secrets from someone who spends her days looking for amazing Melbourne food. I learnt a lot. You will too. (Not to mention that Deb is a delight). Also food culture through the lens of social media and the future of food recommendations. 
The Why: Wrapping up season one of The Melbourne Digest on a high with some seriously good recommendations. 
Show Notes
Find My Melbourne Bucket List
Deb's recommendations: 
Jimmy O'Neill's Whiskey and AlehouseSam’s Cafe S.O.S Cafe Hola Con Lola Spanish cooking classNewmarket Hotel