About: Cam O'Keefe

Profile
Cam O’Keefe is the writer behind The Local Palate, a weekly article series exploring the stories, people and places that define Australia’s hospitality culture. With a keen eye for local flavour and a background in media, Cam shares thoughtful profiles, venue insights and behind-the-scenes moments from kitchens, cafés and communities across the country. He also hosts The Local Palate podcast, extending the conversation with chefs, producers and hospo identities in monthly episodes.

Posts by: Cam O'Keefe

May 28, 2026

It’s (still) all about the dollars

FOR some diners, it's all about the cash right now. Discount eats, half-priced meal deals and two-for-one offers. I can't think of any restaurant in...

May 22, 2026

That’s a wrap!

A *vintage-wrap that is, for our local vineyards and winemakers. It was a late one, though, which is not really a surprise, given how out-of-whack...

May 15, 2026

A pinot playground awaits

IS there a wine grape more synonymous with our Geelong region than pinot noir? Sure, we craft some great chardonnay and shiraz, but it's...

May 8, 2026

Here already? Yep, Mother’s Day is this weekend!

LOTS of news to report this week, so here it is, thick and fast. First of the block is the rather tragic news of local...

May 1, 2026

Postcard dining at the edge of the Bellarine

THE view at TARRA in Queenscliff does most of the talking when you first walk in. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens out to the bay, ferries drift...

April 23, 2026

Empire of the future

ASK anyone in Geelong what some of the continually running staple or landmark dining venues have been in the city over the past 40+...

April 17, 2026

Torquay’s Italian scene just got more interesting

ITALIANO fresco arriva (in) Torquay. Excuse my above Italian, it's not meant to offend. From the (limited) time I've spent in Italy, I'm confident it...

April 9, 2026

Local events you can taste

THE call has officially gone out to all food and beverage businesses throughout the Geelong region to participate in the 2026 program for Tastes...

April 2, 2026

Easter Treats, Wine Festivals and Food Events Across Geelong

RIGHT up there with the Christmas/New Year holiday-period, the Easter long weekend is always a welcome break from the busy few months of the...

March 28, 2026

In times of trouble

WITH uncertainly continuing to build on what high petrol prices may mean for our weekly eating-out budget, many are considering just to eat more...

March 19, 2026

Autumnal mode

PART of me finds it hard to recognise it's autumn already. For one, where the hell was the last kick of good summer weather? For...

March 14, 2026

The Thais have it

IF anyone was to ask me my favourite food continent to travel through, it would hands down be Asia. I've been lucky enough to visit...

February 25, 2026

Pako Festa Returns to Light Up Pakington Street

PAKO Festa is upon us, and what better way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon (pending weather) than wandering its many multicultural community food...

February 21, 2026

Football season kickoff fuels Geelong hospitality buzz

THE 2026 football season kicks off within the next few weeks, with Geelong set to play their first home game in Round 2. As discussed...

February 13, 2026

Valentine’s Day ideas with local flavour

Ahh, Valentine's Day: excitement for many, challenging for some. I can recount many enjoyable occasions, but some far less so. And it goes without saying,...

February 7, 2026

Exciting wine and food openings energise Geelong scene

A welcome new neighbour for many Newtowners, Claret is set to open as a part-wine shop/part-winebar within the coming couple of months. However, the faces...

January 31, 2026

Food, wine and markets to savour this summer

LIKE many of us, I've found myself making a day trip to the Bellarine a few times already this summer, particularly on the days...

January 23, 2026

Geelong’s ultimate summer food trail

WITH some more serious summer weather now in full swing, there's a few notable events to pencil into the calendar over the next couple...

January 16, 2026

Summer food favourites from around the region

HERE'S to a wonderful summer we're enjoying (so far) and I'll start with a couple of encouraging highlights from the past week or two...

January 9, 2026

Your guide to summer eats, drinks and festivals

What's the one question I've been asked most over the summer period so far? Well, it's the same one as last year around this point...

January 2, 2026

Hospitality optimism and mussels take centre stage

For many, the beginning of another year offers time for reflection, while dually presenting a chance for planning the prosperous year ahead. For me over...

December 26, 2025

Survival, song requests and the spirit of Geelong

ON ANY given weekend in Geelong, a crowd begins to form outside a venue tucked into Little Malop Street. It’s not a nightclub or a...

December 19, 2025

Exciting new coastal venues and summer dining buzz

IT'S all happening along our coast this summer, with a multitude of new venues set to open their doors ahead of the arrival of...

December 12, 2025

Crack open Christmas cheer with local drinks

DECEMBER. The month that seems to create a whirlwind of celebration, cricket, panic buying and sunshine, all within a few long (but great) weeks. I'll...