Anthony Thalassinos is the head chef of George Calombaris’ new restaurant, The Hellenic House Project in Highett, a bayside suburb about 35 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. I think you would have to have been under a rock if you didn’t know that George Calombaris had opened a new restaurant and I, like many was following the lead up and opening as well as the star-studded diners, such as Nigella Lawson and Gordon Ramsay who have been sharing their love of this new venue on social media. What I love about the Hellenic House Project’s own social media is that it seems important to them to introduce the whole team as being part of a family who believe in the same things and want to share a sense of community as well as celebrating Greek culture. Anthony is introduced third post in as the head chef and “a proud Greek-Australian with a wonderful background cooking in some of Australia’s best restaurants.” Obviously, my interest was piqued. In Dani Valent’s podcast, Dirty Linen (side note, happy third birthday to that glorious podcast), Calombaris tells her that he has told everyone to keep an eye on Anthony because he has a really good feeling about him, that he’s “ambitious, he’s driven and he’s a way better version of George Calombaris.” When I arrived at The Hellenic House Project, Anthony showed me around the more casual downstairs Kitchen and then we went upstairs to the more elevated dining space, The Good Room and explained that, three months in, they are far busier than they would have expected and are having to renovate to create more space and another kitchen. Anthony is one of those chefs who exudes passion for the industry. I found his enthusiasm for cooking, the hospitality community and for The Hellenic House Project intoxicating and I was hanging off his every word. There were countless moments in this conversation where I think I had the goofiest smile because what Anthony was articulating was absolute gold. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation and I can’t wait to go back to The Hellenic House Project for dinner.