Kitchen Tales

In this episode of Kitchen Tales , Colline and Rhona sit down with Jemma Davis , the founder of Mini Food Explorers and the recipe developer behind the popular Junior Chef Challenge online course. Jemma shares her journey from childhood “dinner parties” to a 25-year career in food development, including her time at M&S where she helped create products such as the well-known Posh Dog™ . She tal...

This episode is brought to you by VCK Accounting. You can find out more about VCK at https://vckaccounting.co.uk In this episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rona sit down for a Proper catch-up in the middle of a very busy season. With Christmas approaching, work piling up, and family life to juggle, the conversation quickly turns to the stress of running a small business and trying to keep on to...

Selamat Datang! (Welcome!) Su and Kat from Makan Malaysia join Kitchen Tales to share their inspiring journey from hosting tiny supper clubs in Reading to building a growing Malaysian food brand loved across the UK. They talk about friendship, flavours, and the power of food to bring people together. From learning to cook Malaysian dishes after moving to the UK, to launching their own sauce range...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, hosts Colline and Rhona sit down with Caroline Dallas, founder of Luna UK, the vibrant Newbury boutique known for its colourful, Italian-made fashion and community-driven atmosphere. Caroline shares her remarkable journey — from DJing at raves in Cape Town and London to opening her first clothing shop on credit (while pregnant!) and eventually expanding to four st...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona sit down with Ruth, the founder of Priscilla’s Kitchen in East Garston. Ruth shares how she started her café with no formal qualifications, on the very day the banks collapsed — and somehow made it work. What began as a homemade catering business has become a warm, welcoming hub for the local community. Ruth talks about imposter syndrome, learnin...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales , Colline and Rhona sit down with Polly, founder of Wine with Polly , to talk about her journey from horticulture to wine education, her love for soil, and how English vineyards are flourishing across Berkshire and beyond. Polly shares how a single wine-tasting course changed the direction of her life, leading her to teach, consult, and collaborate with vineyards i...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales , Colline and Rhona sit down with Veronika from Nourish by Vi, a local yoga teacher, sound healer, and wellbeing practitioner, to talk about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself, and rediscovering joy through food and movement. Veronika shares her deeply personal journey from burnout and anxiety to balance and purpose, and how changing her relationship with foo...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, hosts Colline and Rhona sit down with Ardita, co-founder of Mio Fiore, the much-loved Italian restaurant in Newbury — now celebrating 10 years in business — and the newly opened Mio Fiore Coffee. Ardita shares how she and her husband turned their shared love of Italian food into a thriving local restaurant that’s become a Newbury institution. She talks about balan...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona sit down with Fiona Chaillier, founder of Fitter Mother, to talk about fitness, nutrition, and the realities of motherhood. Fiona shares how she went from charity event management to retraining in fitness while on maternity leave, creating a brand that helps mums reclaim their identity through movement, community, and food. She opens up about the...

This episode is brought to you in association with Mio Fiore: Authentic Italian Restaurant. Find out more at https://www.miofiore.co.uk/ In this special episode of Kitchen Tales, the hosts put the spotlight on each other with a fun Q&A. From speedy suppers and family favourites to guilty pleasures, local restaurant picks, and even our biggest pet peeves — it’s time to get to know your hosts a...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales , Colline and Rhona welcome Rachel and Florence from Retreat Berks , the mother–daughter duo creating luxury wellness retreats for parents and their teens or tweens. They share the story behind Retreat Berks, how their retreats combine wellbeing, creativity, and nutrition, and why these unique experiences help families strengthen their bonds away from the distracti...

Colline and Rhona sit down with Damien Hutchins (Percy King Ltd)—a front-of-house pro turned trainer who levels up service at major venues (think racecourses, rugby, cricket tests, Hyde Park BST) and local spots alike. Damien shares how the “events circuit” works, why staffing quality dips at scale, and the hands-on training that actually sticks (mentoring managers, energising young teams, on-the-...

Colline and Rhona sit down with Catherine from Teddy Bears Bakes - the baker behind Compton’s beloved honesty cake cupboard . Catherine shares how a village idea became a thriving side business, from registering, inspections and Natasha’s Law labelling to pricing realities (hello, soaring chocolate costs), cameras for accountability, and community trust. We talk best-sellers (millionaire’s shortbr...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales , Colline and Rhona welcome Chrissy, the founder of House of Pinoy , to share her journey from Michelin-starred kitchens and luxury hotels to creating unique patisserie infused with Filipino heritage. Chrissy opens up about her career working at prestigious establishments like Glen Eagles, The Lanesborough, and Michelin-star restaurants, before striking out on her...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, hosts Colline and Rhona sit down with Céline, founder of Cocolico, a 100% plant-based French pâtisserie based in Reading, Berkshire. Céline shares her journey from training as a nurse in Paris to following her passion for pastry, moving to the UK, and launching Cocolico in 2018. She explains how lactose intolerance led her towards vegan baking, why being niche mak...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona catch up with long-time friends Colin and Katie Martin, former owners of The Globe pub in Newbury. They share the journey from leaving corporate jobs to running one of the town’s most beloved pubs, the highs and challenges of hospitality, and why they decided to step away. We hear how a chance petrol stop brought them to Newbury, what they’ve bee...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona are joined by Emma Mulholland, an independent Thermomix advisor, to explore the kitchen gadget that’s transforming the way home cooks and caterers work. Emma shares her journey from a career in marketing to becoming a passionate advocate for Thermomix, revealing how the tool simplifies everything from risottos and curries to honeycomb and pastry...

In this latest episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona are back with stories from behind the kitchen door. They share their experiences catering chaotic events, laugh over past mishaps (including when the dogs ate the canapés?!?), and get honest about the invisible pressure of looking “put together” while working long days in hot kitchens. They reflect on what people really want to eat at work...

In this sizzling summer episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona welcome special guest Zee, a freelance chef and Colline’s partner, known for his calm under pressure and barbecue mastery. Zee shares how he transitioned from marketing graduate to professional chef, cutting his teeth in grill houses and restaurant kitchens across Hertfordshire before moving into private catering. He opens up abou...

In this episode of  Kitchen Tales , Colline and Rhona are joined by Alice Britton, founder of Nourishing Noshed – a local favourite for beautifully made, no-bake gluten-free and vegan treats. Alice shares how her passion for yoga, nutrition, and homemade sweets turned into a thriving business. From her first batch gifted to a yoga teacher, to stocking local cafés and creating fan-favourite treats...

In this deliciously insightful episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona are joined by Sasi Krishnan of Sasi Samyal, an expert in authentic South Indian cooking. Sasi shares her culinary journey from Chennai to Newbury and challenges the common misconception that all Indian food is simply “curry.” Her passion for food is rooted not only in tradition but also in a holistic approach that incorpora...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales, Colline and Rhona are joined by nutritional therapist Edwina Darke to talk all things gut health, holistic approaches to food, and why what we eat really does impact how we feel. From turmeric lattes and perimenopause symptoms to feeding growing teens and decoding modern food trends, it’s a warm and fascinating conversation that blends science with everyday kitche...

In this episode of Kitchen Tales , Colline and Rhona welcome private chef Nick Hope to the table. Nick shares his journey from washing dishes in a local Italian restaurant to working in Michelin-starred kitchens and eventually launching his own private chef business, Food by Hope . Together, they explore: The realities of long shifts in professional kitchens What it takes to build a fine dining br...

In this candid episode of  Kitchen Tales , independent caterers Colline and Rhona open up about the reality of kitchen fails—from forgotten eggs to slow-cooked meat mishaps at clients’ houses. They chat openly about managing stress, setting boundaries in business, and how the rising cost of ingredients is reshaping the way they plan and price. You'll also hear their thoughts on supporting local re...

In Episode 2 of  Kitchen Tales , Newbury caterers Colline (Colline’s Kitchen) and Rhona (Thyme) share stories from recent travels to Zimbabwe and New York, reflect on food culture, and talk about balancing catering work with family life. With honest insights into UK hospitality, small business ownership, favourite cookbooks, and chaotic event prep, this episode is packed with laughs, lessons, and...