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

December 6, 2025

Steven Paul on the strength and future of Geelong wine

FROM hotel cellars to the helm of Oakdene Wines, Steven Paul reflects on two decades of shaping and supporting the Geelong wine scene.

November 28, 2025

Local favourites worth a summer drive

If you're staying local for the impending summer holidays, here's a few spots which may be worth a visit over the coming warmer months,...

November 21, 2025

Geelong Revival offers full‐flavour weekend

THE Geelong Revival Motoring Festival is around the corner and I've learnt it's not just all about the cars, apparently. If you count the Engines...

November 14, 2025

There’s pizza, and then there’s pizza

THE LATTER  - which I'm going to refer to as the proper wood fire version - can be a thing of real splendour, if...

November 7, 2025

The spoils of summer are coming

Hands up those who are craving a long, hot summer. I know we should always be appreciative of the rain (some dams in our local/surrounding...

October 31, 2025

Music, food and the future of festivals

Sitting across the mic in our podcast studio, Hugo T. Armstrong speaks with the clarity of someone who’s spent three decades shaping the sound...

October 17, 2025

The delicious secret inside the Geelong Show

SHOWBAGS, crowds, fireworks and rides: for many Geelong folk, these are likely your first thoughts when the words Geelong Show are mentioned. For other showgoers,...

October 10, 2025

Where there’s smoke, there’s flavour

BELLARINE Smokehouse has recently opened a new retail and tasting space in Drysdale, to meet their growing demand for all things deliciously smoky (and...

October 3, 2025

Tourism director Tracy Carter on Geelong’s comeback and the power of small steps

THE FIRST thing Tracy Carter wants you to know is that tourism isn't just about attracting visitors. It's about building a place people want...

September 26, 2025

This bird has flown

It was a bittersweet experience at Songbird last week, although not at all due to the meal itself (food was quite delicious, although nearly...

September 19, 2025

A time to celebrate beer

LATE September is one of my favourite times of year - and not just because it means footy finals – as it means time...

September 7, 2025

Garden delights

ANY recommendation on a café doing good things — whether new or not — is welcomed. So I was thrilled to visit not one, but...

August 22, 2025

The pies have it

I SOMETIMES get asked (usually in winter) where I go for a good ol' fashioned meat pie. My answer changes now and again, but for...

August 15, 2025

Battle of the Waterfront

It's soon to be an all-out scuffle of the Italians along the Geelong Waterfront, with two new venues announcing their cuisine of choice on...

August 1, 2025

Torquay’s Samesyn 2.0 turns food waste into fine dining

The Local Palate is here, a new podcast shining a light on the region's most thoughtful voices in food, wine and hospitality. For episode one,...

July 25, 2025

Shiraz festivities aplenty

Always a welcomed event on the Geelong wine industry calendar, the 2025 Winter Shiraz Festival is on again next weekend. Held every year the first...

July 17, 2025

Bringing you more of the good (food) stuff

I'm happy to report (or should I say, ecstatic) that The Geelong Palate will now be coming to you weekly, rather than the normal...

July 11, 2025

Biting back

After facing some of the worst accusations imaginable for any restaurateur, one small starred venue is proving it’s onwards and upwards. Proven or unproven, allegations...

June 26, 2025

Time for tastes

I feel it's completely normal to see programs like this one try to cram in as many different events as possible, often making it...

June 12, 2025

In high spirits

BY CAM O'KEEFE

Geelong is getting its own spirits showcase, with the good folk from 18th Amendment/Non Disclosure bars hosting a string of...

May 29, 2025

Local support in one of its purest forms

BY CAM O'KEEFE

If I worked in the CBD, this would become a lunchtime staple. On a friend's advice, I went last week for...

May 15, 2025

Bread, glorious bread

BY CAM O'KEEFE

No longer will you need to venture to Wallington in order to collect arguably Geelong's finest sourdough. With the opening of...

May 1, 2025

Pinot, produce, and more pinot

BY CAM O’KEEFE

Pinot lovers can rejoice, as this month marks the return of a local wine festival favourite, Pinot Affair. It's a celebration...

April 17, 2025

Not just the chocolates

BY CAM O'KEEFE

If you haven't had a chance to notice yet this Easter, the price of chocolate is insane. Those once cheap, fluffy...