Dani Valent – MC
Food Journalist and Author

One of Australia’s most respected and prolific food journalists, Dani Valent works across digital, print, video, audio and events to share news, insights and stories from restaurants, cafes, producers and purveyors.

“We gather around food, obsess about food, enter ecstasy through food, lament the lack of access to good food.

It’s everything: fundamental and fraught, a site of joy and conflict, rich in stories and – crucially – opportunities to make the world better.”

Dani Valent

Frankie Cox
Frankie Cox is a Melbourne-based chef and founder known for her produce-driven, vegetable-forward cooking. She began her career in Melbourne before moving to New York, where she became one of the youngest executive chefs in the city at Two Hands in Tribeca.

Now back in Australia, Cox is the founder of Crop, a salad bar concept focused on seasonal produce, sustainability, and nourishing everyday food. Her work champions simple, flavour-led cooking and a more conscious approach to hospitality.

Jackie Middleton
Jackie is a dynamic, innovative F&B consultant and hospitality entrepreneur based in Melbourne,
Australia. As the founder of renowned all-day dining concepts EARL, Dame, and Golden,
Jackie has proven her ability to create and scale successful, customer-focused food and beverage
experiences across Australia. With a consulting approach grounded in collaboration, creativity,
and sustainability, she is committed to elevating the F&B landscape in a city where food, drink, and
dining are integral to its cultural identity. Her skill for crafting concepts that resonate with both
customers and partners has solidified her position as a leader in Melbourne’s fast-evolving
fast-casual dining sector.

Rebecca Yazbek
Rebecca Yazbek is the Founder and CEO of Edition Hospitality Group, one of Australia’s
most respected independent restaurant groups.
With over 14 years in the industry and a background in interior architecture, Rebecca has
always approached hospitality through the lens of design, human connection, and a deep
respect for place.
She founded the group in 2013 with NOMAD Sydney, identifying a gap in the market for a
cellar door dining experience in the city. She has since opened NOMAD Melbourne, Reine &
La Rue, and most recently led the acquisition and evolution of the iconic Florentino and its
four sister venues.
Her philosophy has always been one of considered, quality-led growth to create legacy,
impact, and spaces that genuinely matter to the cities they call home.