#291 Adam Sanderson | Maison Batard
There’s something grounded and quietly assured about Adam Sanderson. Maybe it’s the way he talks about kitchens as places of belonging. Or maybe it’s the way his journey, which began in the north of England, has moved through some of the most celebrated dining rooms in the world: The Fat Duck, where creativity and precision dance together, and Noma in Copenhagen, where he learned to see ingredients through a new lens. When Adam landed in Melbourne, he felt the pulse of the city straight away; its openness, its energy, its love of food and something clicked. Now, as executive chef at Maison Batard, he’s found a space where all those experiences can come together. Maison Batard is a layered, generous space set across four floors and for me exudes French style and sensibilities. The menu features reimagined French classics, a potato omelette topped with caviar, rotisserie chicken with green olives, and a chocolate mousse served at the table with just the right amount of theatre. It’s a place that celebrates flavour, hospitality, and the quiet confidence of a chef who knows exactly where he is. I chatted with Adam in Le Club which is the basement burlesque bar of Maison Batard. It is all sumptuous red with velvet draping and intimate booths and at the time of day we were there, it’s the quietest place to be in Maison Batard.
Photography: Pete Dillon
Conversation with a chef
Ever wondered what goes on in the kitchens of Melbourne’s restaurants? Conversation with a chef gives the back story of our city’s favourite eating spots. This is not a slick podcast, in fact it's pretty rustic. I'm Jo Rittey. I'm a French teacher and food writer and not that great on the technology. What you'll hear is the conversation how it happened, with no bells and whistles. I'll work on that!
- No. of episodes: 293
- Latest episode: 2025-05-06
- Society & Culture
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