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. 1d ago

    Jenna Abbruzzese (Addington Downs) - the emotional connection to food production

    We’re back with chef and lamb farmer Jenna Abbruzzese from Addington Downs as part of an ongoing Dirty Linen series. Since we spoke last time, Dani has eaten some of Jenna’s lamb. What’s it like to cook and eat an animal that you’ve seen frolic around on Instagram, that has a name, and that died to be your dinner? Also mentioned: Charles Massy’s book, Call of the Reed Warbler Charlie Arnott’s podcast, The Regenerative Journey Brooklands Farm: https://deepintheweeds.com.au/podcast/jono-hurst-brooklands-farms-abbatoir-access-issues/ Grounded https://groundedaustralia.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.

    36 min
  2. 3d ago

    Sarah Baldwin ( Joy Restaurant, Brisbane) - connection and vulnerability

    Is it possible to create a balanced, intentional, happy life as a chef? Sarah Baldwin, chef and owner of Joy Restaurant in Brisbane, is making it happen. The seven-year-old restaurant serves a set menu four nights a week to two sittings of just 10 people. Joy has won many awards but this conversation is more about connection and vulnerability than accolades. https://www.joyrestaurant.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.

    39 min
  3. Jun 2

    Emma Sheahan (Lumen People) - illuminating Lumen

    Every now and then, we check in with Emma Sheahan from Lumen People, a cafe and wine bar in Melbourne’s Fitzroy. Our Illuminating Lumen series is all about small business: the joys as well as the tricky bits and challenges. As winter kicks in, we talk carrots and cakes, beetroot and lamb jus, and the ongoing puzzles of costing and pricing. https://www.instagram.com/lumenpeople/?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.

    33 min
  4. May 31

    Adriano Cea (Geppetto Trattoria, Melbourne) - celebrating 45 years

    We love a milestone on Dirty Linen! Geppetto Trattoria in East Melbourne is celebrating 45 years, marking its 1981 opening with a pasta mista for $19.81 all week. We talk to owner Adriano Cea about legacy, lovely customers and his dad Nino, who’s still shopping Preston Market for the restaurant’s daily specials. Now, to get onto the secret coniglio (rabbit) list… ⁠https://www.geppettotrattoria.com⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/geppettotrattoria/⁠ 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.

    27 min
  5. May 26

    Emily Yu (Wagyu Ya, Yakikami and Niku Ou) - award winning Wagyu

    Is there a good reason to buy a grand champion wagyu beast for tens of thousands of dollars and bring it into Australia for diners to try? Emily Yu thinks so. Her team outbid all others in a Japanese auction to secure the best beast, which is now being served at her Melbourne restaurants Wagyu Ya, Yakikami and Niku Ou. We talk about the surprising qualities of premium wagyu and the best ways to enjoy it. https://www.wagyuya.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.

    22 min
  6. May 24

    David Martin (Executive chef at St Vincent’s Care) - Revolutionizing Aged Care Food

    If we’re lucky, we’ll get old. But if we end up in aged care, as many of us will, what are the meals going to be like? David Martin is the executive chef at St Vincent’s Care, which offers retirement living and aged care in New South Wales and Victoria. A former five-star hotel chef, he is soon to compete at the National Chef of the Year competition at Food & Hospitality Week 2026, coming up on 25–27 May at ICC Sydney.' https://fhweek.com.au/speaker/david-martin/ 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.

    36 min
  7. May 19

    Pietro Porcu (Da Noi) - recovery, frustration, opportunity and acceptance

    We last spoke to Pietro Porcu in mid-January after his home and farm in Yarck, two hours north of Melbourne, was destroyed by bushfires. Four months later, how is he going and how are things at Da Noi, his 30-year-old Sardinian restaurant? We talk recovery, frustration, opportunity, acceptance and why goats and pigs can’t be in the same paddock. http://danoi.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.

    19 min
  8. May 17

    Catie Gett (Muesli whisperer and naturopath) - How did ‘health food’ get so off track

    How did ‘health food’ get so off track and became expensive, elitist and anxiety inducing? Muesli whisperer and naturopath Catie Gett recently made a scary leap from the wellness world’s cool kids’ table to the very real world of sharing budget-friendly recipes for people stretched by a cost-of-living crisis. The Staple Store Cookbook is enabling, accessible and anxiety free. https://www.instagram.com/catie_gett/?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.

    37 min

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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