Tell us a little bit about Arlo. How did the concept come about?


Arlo started as a supper club event that we hosted in a photography studio in Chippendale. We sat 12-20 guests every fortnight. It was really just an opportunity for us to showcase our personal taste and play around with settings and menus. It was also a chance for us to learn what it takes to host events, all the while allowing people to meet new people over dinner.

We have now evolved into something more like a pop-up restaurant. We host slightly larger scale events for the public and brands less frequently. These events tend to be more art driven but still with a precise focus on the food, wine, service and people.

What does sitting around a table sharing good food, wine and conversation mean to you?


There aren’t many more places where I feel as present and in the moment as I do sitting at the table. It's the place where I am most comfortable. It's a chance to escape your world and enter a new one - that being the world of the food, the wine, or the person sitting next to you.

What is the secret to a great dinner party?


Like anything really there isn't a secret. One must simply go out there and do it - then fail, then do it again a little better. Maybe the secret to a good dinner party is resilience.

More specifically, it's a combination of things that make a dinner great. What I would encourage one to seek if you are looking to host a great dinner party are these key elements:

Quality produce (go to your farmers markets, fish suppliers and butchers)
A menu that is a reflection of what you like to eat and drink
Invite people who are open minded and like new experiences
Tasteful music
Lots of flowers
Most importantly, relax - know it's going to be okay (even if it's not). What people love seeing the most is that the host is happy.