Dirty Linen - A Food Podcast with Dani Valent

Dirty Linen goes behind the scenes in restaurants, cafes and bars, covering issues the hospitality industry finds hard to share in public - it's all up for grabs and everything is on the table. Your host is food journalist Dani Valent. For 20 years, Dani has been writing about restaurants and the people who give them life. But she's an outsider, a critic, a tourist, a fan. Despite hearing the stories and writing the tales, she's never really understood what happens behind the scenes. Now it's time to get stuck in, with compassion, humour and fearlessness. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in pressing topics. We ask the hard questions and discuss the big issues, bringing a unique perspective to a world that we all intersect with but often don’t understand. Dirty Linen is a Deep in the Weeds Production.

  1. 3d ago

    Josh Bosen (From Here By Mike, Melbourne) - Exploring sustainability and creativity in modern dining

    Josh Bosen was head chef at vegan restaurant Smith & Daughters when he was tapped for the job as chef de cuisine at 1Hotel Melbourne, home of From Here By Mike, a hotel restaurant that uses produce from small local farms. We talk about smart ways to reduce food waste, the reasons he's retained staff, and the boost he gets from watching guests in the dining room enjoy a dish. We mentioned my long ago chat with Mike McEnearny https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/mike-mcenearney-kitchen-by-mike-cbds-and-airports-produce-and-hope/ And this more recent pod with Shannon Martinez https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/shannon-martinez-smith-daughters-smith-deli-doubling-down/ From Here By Mike Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fromhere.melbourne/?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.

  2. 5d ago

    Sam Tran (Gia, Hanoi) - memories and produce.

    Perspective in food is so important - when you’re away from home, it’s often powerful food memories that bring you closer. And when you’re in a new place, you bring a fresh eye to the foods you find. Sam Tran has brought her unique perspectives to the food of both Hanoi, in northern Vietnam, and Melbourne, where she started as a chef. She’s soon to return to her second home of Melbourne for events at Aru, bringing dishes from Michelin-starred Gia in Vietnam filtered by Melbourne memories and Australian produce. https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/aru/gia-at-aru-4947172526047232 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.

  3. Aug 14

    Friday on My Mind - new restaurants, a Salon Series, food tours and why I will always love restaurants.

    Friday On My Mind… An occasional series where I open my brain and let the thoughts fall out. Today I chat about new restaurants Cote Basque and Roma, my new Salon Series with Jenna Abbruzzese from Addington Downs, some food tours I’ve got coming up, and why I will always love restaurants. Oh and hey, sign up to my Substack: danivalentfood.substack.com Salon Series: Spring addingtondowns.com.au/events 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  - new restaurants, a Salon Series, food tours and why I will always love restaurants.
  4. Aug 12

    Laura Goldberg (Hurricane’s Grill) - wellbeing, boundaries, strategies and resilience.

    Laura Goldberg is the founder of Women in Cafes & Restaurants, and co-owner of Hurricane’s Grill steak & ribs venues in Sydney, Dubai and Indonesia. We speak to her as she’s prepared for a panel at Fine Food, digging into all the issues she’s passionate about: wellbeing, boundaries, strategies and resilience. https://au.linkedin.com/in/laura-goldberg-57ba7531 https://finefoodaustralia.com.au/visit-the-show/ We last caught up with Laura in May 2025. https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/laura-goldberg-hurricanes-grill-community-and-positive-energy/ We mention Burnt Chef Project https://www.theburntchefproject.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.

  5. Aug 10

    Sally Wright (Stanley Pub) - sticking to your guns, charging what things cost and why restaurants matter.

    What does it take for an indie pub to survive these days? We talk to Sally Wright from Stanley Pub, in north-eastern Victoria, about sticking to your guns, charging what things cost and why restaurants matter. Here’s my previous chat with Sally. https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/sally-wright-stanley-pub-a-creative-and-dynamic-force/ 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.

  6. Aug 4

    Zennon Wijlens (Paris Butter) - stars of New Zealand

    In the wake of the Michelin guide’s arrival in New Zealand, we catch up with one-star winner Zennon Wijlens of Auckland’s Paris Butter. Since the awards, he’s had a flood of staff applications, and winter trade is as busy as high summer. Is Australia (apart from South Oz) missing out? https://parisbutter.co.nz We chatted about this podcast with Zennon’s business partner: https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/nick-honeyman-paris-butter-le-petit-leon/ 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.

  7. Aug 3

    Liinaa Berry (wine expert, sommelier, writer) - Connecting Land, Culture, and Climate

    Liinaa Berry is a wine expert, sommelier, writer and keen watcher of not just the wine world, not just the hospitality world but all the many strands that link drinkers and eaters - ie all of us - to land, soil and system. Liinaa asks not just how something tastes, but why it matters. https://www.instagram.com/liinaa.berry/?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.

  8. Jul 27

    Georgia Limacher (Yiaga) - crafted by excellent service

    Good food is important but the very best restaurant experiences are often crafted by excellent service. Georgia Limacher, currently at Yiaga, is reaping the benefits of winning the Katie McCormack Young Service Talent Award, awarded by The Age Good Food Guide. What separates competent service from true hospitality? How do you read a table? Why did cheese make Georgia cry? Entries are now open for this year’s Young Service Talent award: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVi8lBLnwKo6j_GDLTRepigbQNNf4ShlU58UjWOsNpSHLKYA/viewform?usp=header 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.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Dirty Linen goes behind the scenes in restaurants, cafes and bars, covering issues the hospitality industry finds hard to share in public - it's all up for grabs and everything is on the table. Your host is food journalist Dani Valent. For 20 years, Dani has been writing about restaurants and the people who give them life. But she's an outsider, a critic, a tourist, a fan. Despite hearing the stories and writing the tales, she's never really understood what happens behind the scenes. Now it's time to get stuck in, with compassion, humour and fearlessness. Dirty Linen goes deep, both in conversations with individuals and in pressing topics. We ask the hard questions and discuss the big issues, bringing a unique perspective to a world that we all intersect with but often don’t understand. Dirty Linen is a Deep in the Weeds Production.

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