Dining Galleries – Sweet, Salty, Sour, Hot

We know the fundamentals. And we know their power in concert – an alchemy common to all great cooking. The five chefs shaping this Dining Gallery make it their mission to perfect the balance across a diverse suite of Australian restaurants. Ready to see what Thi Le, Benjamin Cooper, Trinh Richards and Terry Intarakhamhaeng can conjure in a shared kitchen? Friday night dining has never looked better. Joining the fun as the evening’s sommelier will be Tasting Australia drinks curator Banjo Harris Plane, who honed his craft across leading national restaurants and was twice named best in the nation.  

Melbourne-based Le – at the helm of Vietnamese-Australian Anchovy, banh mi bar Ca Com and Laotian-inspired Jeow – is widely praised for her assured take on modern dining. She pairs technical prowess with original thinking, questioning convention and collecting accolades (including Gourmet Traveller 2023 Chef of the Year) along the way.  

Chin Chin is where Cooper shines. Southeast Asian cuisine is its remit, one explored to dazzling effect. The restaurant – launched in Melbourne and then Sydney – is also partial to a road trip.  

Aldinga, on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, is home to Richards and her restaurant The Little Rickshaw. You’ll find it in a tiny tin shed, serving diners who are either ardent fans of its eclectic menu or have been urged to try it.  

Intarakhamhaeng focuses on food from Thailand’s six regions. He is based at Adelaide’s Soi 38 – named after a bustling Bangkok street food market – and specialises in seasonal dishes that offer new perspectives on a beloved cuisine. 

Your place is set. We’re going all-in on this joyful exploration of Southeast Asian flavour.