The Write Drop

At the Bar With Chef David Lakhi

By Jane Rocca

January 24th, 2026

Photo: Kristoffer Paulsen

We spoke to Little Black Pig & Sons Chef + Owner David Lakhi for At The Bar.

MY CITY

We live in Eltham North next to bushland, so we have space to breathe. The city’s in our front yard and Yarra Valley’s in our backyard. That connection to nature plays a big role in how I cook and how we live as a family.  In Autumn and Winter, I forage for pine mushrooms with my kids, and in summer, I take the kids on bike rides and we collect wild fennel flowers, plums, apricots and figs. This keeps the kids grounded and inspired and reminds me of my own childhood.

FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY

Pasta agli e olio. The simplicity of this dish reminds me that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be great – it just needs to be done properly. If I’m feeling a bit fancy, I’ll throw in a handful of Queensland wild prawns.  

FAVOURITE BAR

Little Drop of Poison in Eltham where I order the Prickly Lady: Imbue Distillery gin, bitter liqueur, lemon, sugar and Aquafaba foam.

DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU

A negroni – a little bitter, a little sweet. Classic at heart but always evolving.

BEST HANGOVER CURE

Rotting on the couch, watching a movie with the kids.

BEST INTERSTATE BAR

Osprey Restaurant and Bar at Thala Beach Reserve in Far North Queensland. Their Thala Collins – a tropical take on the classic Tom Collins – is perfect for balmy evenings and long nights.

FAVOURITE WINE

Grant Burge Meshach 1993. We opened it at our 2024 Lakhi family Christmas party. It’s a wine that shows what patience and care can do over time. Still full of life, bold, generous and incredibly moreish. It’s the kind of bottle that brings people together around the table.

FAVOURITE WINERY

Yering Station Winery in the Yarra Valley stands out as one of my best winery experiences. It’s only 40 minutes away, the views are spectacular and the wines are sensational. It’s a great reminder of how lucky we are locally. My wife and I were married at Annapurna Estate in Mount Beauty, so that remains a special place for our family. A big thank you to Ezio Minutello for always looking after us.

NEXT DESTINATION

Our next family holiday should take us to Bolgheri in Tuscany. I’d love to visit producers like Sassicaia and spend time learning more about Super Tuscans and the region’s wines. Understanding the place, the people and the process is what it’s all about.