Chef Patron Matt Podbury and His Team

Geelong born Matt comes with a well-credentialled food pedigree. Previous generations of his paternal family operated a local bakery for over 100 years, and the maternal side were butchers, cheesemakers and operated a Cantina in provincial Italy, while others were longstanding Green Grocers nourishing the people of Geelong.

So, after travelling to Europe to hone his craft at numerous Michelin Star restaurants in Italy and UK and a stint in Lyon, where he became immersed in Bistronomy (beautiful seasonal food and wine prepared and shared in a relaxed environment), he returned to his home town to showcase and share with local and visiting diners what the Geelong region has to offer and how it can be transformed and then combined with old-school hospitality. 

Opening in June 2021, just in time to get locked-down, he and his partner Chef Joanna Karlin strive to provide the best dining experience in Geelong.

"Our food is schooled in tradition but not bound by it....No trickery and mucking about with it. 

We just want people to have a lovely meal and a lovely time, and want to come back. To make us their Local!"

With great pride, we are saddened to announce that La Cachette has now closed.

Our last service was on Sunday 11 August 2024. 

Close to 1000 guests came in to dine with us in the last 6 weeks after we announced our closure. We were touched by their support and good wishes.

We set out to open a dining room and run it ethically, and show value and respect to our staff, suppliers and guests.

We are beaming with pride knowing that for over 3 years we have consistently offered up outstanding hospitality and executed a new menu  every 3 weeks.

We will rest easy knowing that all staff entitlements, suppliers and obligations have been paid properly and fairly.

While it's sad to say goodbye, for us at La Cachette it is an opportunity to 'get out while we are on top'.

We  have made the difficult decision not to renew our lease. Joanna and I  are both thrilled and excited at new opportunities and collaboration in the future.

Thank you to all the beautiful guests. We don't cook for accolades or  critics. For us, the patrons who make the choice to dine with independent family-run businesses are the source of our joy.

This isn't the last you will see of La Cachette....Just the last of La Cachette in this setting.

Feel free to follow us on Instagram to find out what comes next.

Matt Podbury, Chef Patron