No clue how to make Lebanese sweets, we just bought an iconic Lebanese pastry shop. (Balha's)

No clue how to make Lebanese sweets, we just bought an iconic Lebanese pastry shop. (Balha's)

Author: Dub & Nectorious Papi July 14, 2026 Duration: 34:08

How do you take over an iconic pastry shop when nobody in your family actually knows how to make sweets?

This week, Dub and Nectro sit down with Mohammed behind Balha’s Pastry, the Sydney Road institution that has been serving Lebanese sweets to Melbourne for 25 years. They reveal how the family unexpectedly purchased the business just before 2020, survived the sudden drop in customers and managed to get their products into 50 supermarkets within only a few weeks.

They also unpack the story behind the viral fruit-shaped ice creams, how the venture came about, and staying true to their brand by making sure they all taste great.


Plus, what happens to the leftover sweets at closing time, why Ramadan is ten times busier, the secret behind stretchy Middle Eastern mastic ice cream, Lebanese wedding food, Melbourne’s best local restaurants and why an $80 fragrance can make you smell like you spent $500.


Thanks to Royal Stacks for sponsoring the podcast.

If you are in Melbourne grab your burgers now!

Follow us @thefoodguyspod

DM us your questions and topics!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when people who are genuinely obsessed with food get together, and that's exactly what you'll find on The Food Guys Podcast. Hosts Dub and Nectorious Papi don't just review meals; they dive headfirst into the entire universe of what we eat. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at a lively table where the topics range from breaking down the latest fast-food menu item to heated debates about beloved or despised ingredients. The discussion is always grounded in a real passion-they love to talk about food just as much as they love to eat it. You'll hear more than just their opinions, though. They regularly bring other voices into the mix, from well-known names in the food industry to local business owners and fellow food lovers. These conversations are packed with the hosts' natural chemistry, which means plenty of laughter, friendly banter, and the occasional good-natured argument. Tuning into this podcast is like getting an insider's look at food culture, served with a side of humor and genuine curiosity. It’s a show for anyone who thinks about their next meal while they’re still eating the current one.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Food Guys Podcast
Podcast Episodes
A Dessert Boss Ranks His Top 5 Desserts of All Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:48
Nick Vavitis is back!Nick teases three new products arriving before the end of the year, reveals they've pushed manufacturing harder than ever, and gives us the first hints about what he calls CHOCLT’s biggest collaborat…
KFC Has Gone Too Far With Its New Pickle Menu (BONUS BITE SIZE) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:21
It’s a rapid-fire bonus episode covering one of the biggest weeks of fast-food releases in Australia from Red Rooster’s disappointing “jumbo” drumstick and new Macca’s desserts to Hungry Jack’s pistachio range and a stac…
We Had $0 Left: The BBQ Pitmaster Who Slept in His Restaurant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:36
We sit down with the owner and head chef behind Wildfire Craft BBQ to hear one of the wildest restaurant origin stories we’ve had on the podcast.It started with a $400 backyard smoker and a first brisket so bad it went s…
How 1 Tray of Chicken & Rice Changed Everything... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:15
Dub and Nectro are joined by Daniel from @yiayianextdoor to unpack the incredible story behind a few home-cooked meals passed over the fence that eventually became something much bigger.Daniel opens up about losing his m…
Travelling to another city to try a Cookie... (McCookie?) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:12
McDonald’s Loaded Cookie, KFC’s new Wicked Burger and brownie, and the Melbourne versus Sydney food debate take over this episode. Dub and Nectro recap their chaotic Sydney food trip through Cabramatta and Marrickville,…