What does it take to quit the comfort of Sydney's eastern suburbs, pack a single bag, and talk your way into one of the world's best restaurants, without speaking the language? For Remy Davis, it just takes curiosity, the right contacts, and a willingness to scrub stairs with a metal scourer until you've earned your spot at the fire.

In this wide-ranging conversation with Tawnya, Remy traces his journey from shucking oysters at Otto in Woolloomooloo to grilling €600-a-kilo turbot at Elkano in Spain's Basque Country, to cooking for a fully booked Bessie's in Surry Hills, with stints across London, Italy, and a full year in San Sebastián along the way. Three passports. Countless kitchens. Zero recipes (more on that later).

He's back in Australia now, buzzing with optimism about Sydney's evolving dining scene, and sitting on something exciting he's just not ready to reveal yet. This is a chef who backs himself and has the passport stamps to prove it.

Key Takeaways

• On backing yourself: "Why not me?" Remy's answer to imposter syndrome is simple: back yourself and take the leap.
• On Elkano's no-recipe kitchen: Expecting secret formulas, Remy instead found a culture built on intuition, craftsmanship and not a recipe in sight. 
• On produce philosophy: Spain's markets taught him that great produce starts with people who dedicate their lives to mastering a craft.
• On kitchen culture: Skills can be taught. Curiosity, respect and work ethic matter most.
• On travel as a career strategy: Passports help, but curiosity is what opens doors. His advice? Get out and cook somewhere new.
• On Australia's dining scene: Diners are seeking experiences, not just meals. The venues succeeding are delivering genuine value and connection.

About Remy Davis

Remy Davis is a Sydney-based chef with stints in London, Italy, and Spain's Basque Country under his belt,  including a formative year at Elkano, one of the world's most revered fish restaurants. He completed his culinary training at TAFE Ultimo and cut his teeth at Otto on the Woolloomooloo wharf before heading overseas to work in Michelin-calibre kitchens.

Back in Australia, he was the chef behind the opening menu at Bessie's in Surry Hills, and most recently cooked at Fire Kitchen as part of Vivid Sydney. He's currently working on an unannounced project in Australia at the intersection of food and art. Watch this space.

People & Places Mentioned

• Christopher Thé - Now at Hearthe (formerly Black Star Pastry); started his career at Claude's
• John Ralley - The mutual connection who helped Remy land London trials; co-cooked with Remy at Fire Kitchen during Vivid Sydney
• Alex Herbert - Orchestrated Fire Kitchen at Vivid Sydney; Remy's shoutout: "She did a fantastic job. Like an orchestra."
• Inés Barajan / Sabor, London - The London restaurant that turned Remy's attention to Spain; Sabor means flavour, and it showed
• Elkano, San Sebastián - The world-ranked Basque restaurant that gave Remy the best year of his professional life. No recipes. €99/kg turbot. Tennis elbow from flipping fish. Zero regrets.
• Aitor (Elkano) - The head chef who eats with his team — from family to KP — every service. White tablecloth, no exceptions
• Nathan Sassi & Morgan Mcglone (Bar Copains / Vincenzo's / Bessie's) - The duo who pulled Remy back to Sydney and into the Bessie's project
• Bessie's / Alma, Surry Hills - Opened January 2025. Fire-focused, produce-driven, built over a year of trans-continental planning

About Straight To The Source

Straight To The Source brings you closer to the chefs, producers, growers and makers across the entire food chain, the people shaping where food is headed and why it matters. Hosted by food experts Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon. 

Follow, rate and review Straight To The Source to help more people discover the stories shaping Australia’s food and hospitality industry.

You can find us: 

• Straight To The Source Food Podcast: https://lnk.to/jBCTBE
• Straight To The Source Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straight_to_the_source/ 
• Straight To The Source Website: http://straighttothesource.com.au

Tawnya Bahr 

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr/ 
• Instagram: @tawnyabahr  
• Email: tbahr@straighttothesource.com.au

Lucy Allon

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon/ 
• Instagram: @lucy_allon 
• Email: lucy@straighttothesource.com.au 

Have a story to share or a producer we should visit? Drop us a line — we always love hearing from you.

Keywords: Remy Davis chef, Straight To The Source food podcast, Tawnya Bahr, Lucy Allon, Elkano restaurant San Sebastián, Basque Country chef, Australian chef overseas, fire cooking Sydney, Bessie's Surry Hills, Vivid Sydney Fire Kitchen, Sydney chef, hospitality podcast Australia, chef career advice, Otto Woolloomooloo, Bar Copains Sydney, TAFE culinary training, OzHarvest,, chef mentorship Australia, Tasting Success Mentoring Programme, San Sebastián food scene, Michelin kitchen experience.

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