#382 Ryan Dunn | Langlands at Hyatt Centric Melbourne

I had never been up to Langlands, 25 floors above Melbourne in the Hyatt Centric. Ryan Dunn knows it can be a little too well hidden. With the dining room now opened up to the skyline, we sat looking over the wave of Southern Cross Station’s roof and talked about what he and chef Richard most like to cook: food with smoke, chilli, acidity and plenty of flavour. Ryan’s career began almost by accident, with work experience at Bistro Moncur when he was 16. It has since taken him through Norway, Russia, Bangkok and Hong Kong. He still lights up most when he talks about food. A scallop with green mango and sambal. A crisp piece of baguette with tomato, stracciatella and a good anchovy. Nothing on the plate simply to look clever. As Ryan put it, he wants to cook things he’d actually want to eat. I like it up here and I can’t wait to go back.