Agnes Restaurant was recently awarded Restaurant of the Year by Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant. In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha Mirosch chats with Agnes executive chef, Ben Williamson, who also co-owns other popular restaurants  Same Same, Bianca, Honto and Agnes Bakery.

Western Australian-born Ben spent time travelling the Middle East, where he sharpenened his kitchen skills and learned about cooking from the heart - something that would become the cornerstone of his culinary philosophy. 

On his return to Australia, he settled in Brisbane, working in some of the city's most highly regarded restaurants, including a lengthy tenture at Gerard's Bistro, where introduced the city to his modern re-imagining of the cuisine of The Levant, gaining the venue many accolades including two hats. 

He then went on to establish Agnes, a wood-fired restaurant in a characterful, historic building; a restaurant generally regarded as the best in Brisbane. 

In their chat, Natascha and Ben not only delve into his background, but discuss his food philosophy and influences, what he might have done differently in his career, food trends, where he likes to eat out, his future plans and more. 

In April 2022, chef Adam Wolfers was riding his bike when he was struck down by a stroke. He was just 38.

Adam lost movement on one side of his body, his sense of taste and had to learn to do the everyday things he once took for granted all over again.

In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, Natascha Mirosch catches up with this talented chef, who's worked under Wylie Dufresne in New York and at the 3 Michelin starred Quique Dacosta in Spain, in addition to a raft of hatted restaurants in Australia.

They discuss how he's doing, what such a life-changing event has taught him, mental and physical health in the hospitality industry, his foodie heroes and more.

Thanks to the incredible popularity of the show White Lotus, Sicily is red hot right now.

In this episode, Natascha Mirosch chats with Carmel Ruggeri, former restaurateur-turned-tour guide, who runs extremely popular tours to a part of Italy not only blessed with natural beauty, but some of the country's best regional cuisine (cannoli anyone?)

Carmel and Natascha chat about everything from the places you shouldn't miss, to the hand signs you should, never ever use, to the regional food specialities you just have to try. 

And, if after listening, you're inspired to book one of Carmel's small, immersive tours (pack stretchy pants!), have a look at her website: Sicilian Food Tours