Episodes

Step into Parisian paradise with Virginie Boularouah, a third-generation cheesemonger. Learn how Virginie's dedication to raw milk, seasonal production, and animal welfare shapes her two beloved shops in Montmartre. Dive into a conversation that celebrates tradition, craftsmanship, and the timeless art of cheese making in France.

Today, Valerie transports us to the Australian Embassy in Paris for a captivating conversation with Katherine Witbreuk. Katherine, a Tasmania-born chef with Dutch heritage, shares her journey - from growing up with Dutch comfort food to her international experiences in Thai, Middle Eastern, and modern Australian cuisine. Katherine also provides a rare glimpse into her life at the embassy, where she enjoys views of the Eiffel Tower while cooking for dignitaries and diplomats. Tune in to explore...

In this episode of Sensing Up, Valerie takes us to the breathtaking Kangaroo Island - a haven for food lovers and home to fascinating history and pristine wildlife. Valerie chats with Karin Greenslade, owner of Sea Dragon Lodge, about her journey from Germany to owning a stunning property near the island's lighthouse. Discover how Karin's hospitality background and love for food - including the unique Flammekueche - bring a fresh touch to the island. Plus, dive into the island's unique offering...

Valerie travels to Melbourne to meet with Josefin Zernell, the co-founder of Mörk Chocolate. Together, they dive into their journey creating Australia's first specialty hot chocolate brand - blending Swedish heritage with Melbourne's vibrant coffee culture. From Josefin's passion for chocolate to the brand's emphasis on traceability and unique origins, discover how Mörk Chocolate is shaping Australia's chocolate scene.

In this episode, Valerie Henbest sits down with Jeremy Hulsdunk, one of the key figures behind Five Senses Coffee. Fresh from the Good Food and Wine Show in Perth, Jeremy shares the inspiring journey of how Five Senses was born out of a passion for coffee and a commitment to positively impacting the people it touches. From his beginnings in WA to becoming a certified Q Grader and multi-award-winning barista, Jeremy discusses the evolution of coffee culture in Australia, the story behind Five Se...

In the episode today, Valerie travels to Tasmania - a food lover's paradise - to chat with Daniel Leesong. Discover how Daniel, originally from Adelaide and with a corporate career in Canberra, made a bold leap into the world of artisanal cheese, chocolate, and wine with his wife Melanie. From planting strawberries to winning prestigious cheese awards, Daniel shares the highs and lows of transforming a dream into reality. Tune in to explore the unique flavors of Tasmania, the challenges of star...

This week, Valerie chats with Rose Kentish, a renowned South Australian distiller and winemaker. Discover Rose's journey from her upbringing on a farm near Mount Gambier to becoming a celebrated winemaker in McLaren Vale. Learn about her adventures in France, her passion for premium produce, and the fusion of creativity and chemistry in her craft. Tune in for an engaging conversation about life, family, and the art of distilling.

Today, Valerie interviews Gaëtan Chapon, General Manager at Long Paddock Cheese. Gaetan shares his journey from France to Australia and dives into the contrasts between French and Australian cheese-making. He reflects on his childhood food experiences, the evolution of Australia's food culture and the significance of tradition in food. Discover insights on raw milk, cheese awards and the Australian palate's adaptation to diverse flavors. Join us as Gaetan reveals his unique perspective on the ...

In this episode, Valerie sits down with award-winning author, journalist and Food Safari host, Maeve O'Meara. They explore Maeve's lifelong passion for food, rooted in her Irish-Australian heritage and enriched by her global adventures. Maeve shares some of her early food memories, the evolution of Australian cuisine and her experiences as a journalist traveling the world. Listen to heartwarming stories of family, tradition and the unifying power of food that bridges cultures and generations.

Join us for the season one finale of Sensing Up! Valerie reflects on a remarkable journey featuring passionate artisans and their unique crafts - and shares many behind-the-scenes highlights of the season. Enjoy this wrap of her sensory adventure, revisiting extraordinary experiences and inspiring stories. Perfect for lovers of cheese, wine, chocolate, culture, and so much more.

Welcome to Sensing Up, where we explore the food world through our senses. Today, at the Salon du Fromage in Paris, we're joined by Juan Figueroa - a master of Spanish cheese. From the lineage of the Countess of Romanones, Juan's passion for crafting exceptional cheeses is rooted in tradition and heritage. Join us as we tune in to every sense, ready to embark on a sensory journey through flavours and aromas with Juan Figueroa.

Today we're at the heart of all things cheese - the Salon du Fromage in Paris - and joining us is none other than Jean-Charles Arnaud, a true titan of the industry. Jean-Charles Arnaud, the esteemed president of Arnaud-Juraflore cheese factories, brings a rich heritage to the table, with his family's cheese business tracing its roots back to the early 20th century. A connoisseur of all things cheese, John-Charles stands as a symbol of excellence in affinage and has also held the prestigious pos...

Welcome back to Sensing Up! Our guest today, Laurent Dubois - a Meilleur Ouvrier de France since 2000 - is renowned for his exceptional cheese shops, Fromagerie Laurent Dubois. People from far and wide queue for his unique and edible works of art. Don't miss this delicious episode, as Laurent shares the art of crafting exquisite cheese and the secrets behind his success.

Today on Sensing Up, we're joined by the incredible wine professional, Dan Coward from Alkina Wine Estates. Dan has led an exciting wine journey that includes Alkina's award of the 2022 Innovative Winery of the Year. Known for his personable nature, Dan's storytelling prowess adds an extra layer to his charm. Talking wine with him today is a journey through unexpected places and tales. His talent for this may come from his formative education in modern history at Oxford University. Join us as...

In this episode, Valerie is joined by Thibaud Dupin from La Fromagerie Du Louvre. Thibaud shares insights into his role and reminisces about his time in Australia, where he worked at the popular Melbourne venue, Milk The Cow. Explore the fascinating connection between wine and cheese, as Thibaud's passion for raw and authentic products unfolds. Whether you're a connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, this episode promises a sensory journey through history, culture, and culinary delights in the hear...

In this of Sensing Up, Valerie engages in a conversation with Denis Kaser, the head of international marketing for Le Gruyère AOP. Both currently in Brisbane, Valerie has just concluded a series of cheese masterclasses, featuring the renowned Swiss cheese, Gruyere, paired with delightful chocolates. Denis, who has dedicated the last 5 years to the Gruyere consortium, shares his journey from the corporate world to advocating for this ancient and traditional cheese worldwide. As Gruyere was crow...

In this episode, Valerie is joined by Michael Downer, an award-winning young winemaker and co-host of her masterclasses. Discover Michael's journey from winning the Young Gun of the Wine Award in 2017 to becoming Head Winemaker of Murdoch Hill Wines. Michael challenges the norm by exploring cooler expressions in the Adelaide Hills, shaping his cutting-edge Artisan Series wines. Tune in for a sensory experience like no other. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a novice, this episode promises t...

Explore the regal world of Champagne with Jean de Castelnau, export manager for the historic Champagne House, Maison Louis Roederer. Founded in 1776, this family-owned house has crafted fine wines for over two centuries. Valerie delves into Champagne's rich history, culture, and traditions with Jean. From the iconic Prestige Vintage Cuvée, Cristal, commissioned by the Tsar of Russia in 1876, to Cellar Master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon's commitment to sustainable viticulture, Roederer preserves Cha...

Coming to you from the tiny Italian town of Bra - in Piemonte - we dive back into the timeless world of cheese, celebrated at Slow Food's biennial event. It's a cheese lover's paradise. Slow Food cherishes local food cultures, opposes fast food, and rekindles our connection with food. Our guest today, Jules Mons - a prominent figure in the cheese world - represents the third generation of the Maison Mons. His uncle, Hervé Mons - a renowned affineur and MOF ('Meilleur Ouvrier de France' or 'Best...

Good Quality Chocolate can be appreciated in the same way as wine and coffee. In this episode of Sensing Up, Valerie sits with Vicki Papazaharias, founder of Adixions Luxe Chocolate. Vicki's passion for premium, indulgent chocolate began as a sweet obsession as a child. She has since travelled to Melbourne and Paris to hone her skills. Today she is a dedicated chocolatier working from her studio in Adelaide, as passionate as ever about creating unforgettable, decadent experiences with chocola...

In this episode of Sensing Up, Valerie sits down with Kym Masters, the Founder of Section28. Kym's passion for cheese and his desire to translate regional flavours is evident throughout the episode. His dedication to making a difference in the Adelaide cheese market has undeniably paid off - after a remarkable career transition from banking to artisan cheese. The episode explores cheese as a vehicle with a language of its own. Kym and Valerie discuss how it can be a means of communication, int...

Hello and welcome to Sensing Up, a podcast you need to listen to with your 5 senses! My name is Valerie Henbest. I am French. I am Australian. I am on a mission to discover more about the senses and how they promote pleasure once you engage them and listen to them more carefully. Each episode will give you a reason to listen, look, smell, touch and taste more effectively. Special guests will share their own "Madeleine de Proust" moment - the memory they conjure up from a little cake, a specia...