Conversation with a Chef
A Conversation with Mike: On Following His Gut, Not Trends
Podcast: Conversation with a Chef
Recently, our very own Mike McEnearney sat down with Jo Rittey, the creator and host of Conversation With a Chef. If you’re not familiar with Jo’s work, she’s a Melbourne-based food writer and podcast host whose love of French culture and curiosity for all things culinary has made her podcast a must-listen for food lovers.
In this episode, Mike shares the story behind his approach to food, one that doesn’t chase trends but follows instinct, the growers he trusts, and the rhythm of the seasons.
Mike reflects on his journey: working in some of the world’s toughest kitchens, cooking for artist Damien Hirst, living off the land in rural Wales, and opening Kitchen by Mike in a converted factory canteen in Sydney’s CBD. He also talks about bringing the same ethos to the International Airport location, and the soon-to-open outpost at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
For over a decade, Mike has also been the Creative Director of the Carriageworks Farmers Market, where his passion for produce-led cooking has inspired countless home cooks and chefs alike. Now, at From Here by Mike in Melbourne’s 1 Hotel, he continues to serve food that is thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly direct, much like Mike himself.
