Food Rebels

🎙️ On this week’s episode of Food Rebels, AJ is joined by Clare Pope, editor of Taste Kent, and food and drink marketing expert Sam Beeny for a wine-filled adventure through the stunning Wayfarer Wines vineyard in Kent, recorded live from their tasting room on a balmy summer’s evening. 🍇✨ They sit down with Karen Ashford, co-founder of Wayfarer Wines, to uncover how a retirement dream turned int...

On this week’s episode of Food Rebels, AJ is joined by Ed Ayton, who leads sustainability and ethics at Abel & Cole, the organic pioneers shaking up how we grow, sell and deliver food in the UK. Ed shares how a direct challenge at the UK River Summit led to one of the boldest moves in the company’s history: dropping open-net farmed salmon. He explains why they made the change, how they brought...

What are ultra-processed foods really doing to our health, our kids and our food culture? In this powerful episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp sits down with Dr. Dolly van Tulleken to unpack the rise of UPFs and the complex mix of politics, marketing and industry influence that keeps them on our plates. Dolly shares her journey into food policy, reveals how government decisions are shaped behind clos...

In this episode, AJ is joined by Samuel Goldsmith, senior food editor at BBC Good Food, voice of the Good Food podcast and author of The Frozen Pea Cookbook. Sam reveals what life’s really like behind the scenes at the UK’s biggest food brand, why frozen peas deserve more respect and how simple, comforting food can transform your confidence in the kitchen. Expect honest conversation about home coo...

In this episode of Food Rebels, host AJ Sharp interviews Luke Hemsley, founder of Wednesday's Domain, a company dedicated to creating high-quality alcohol-free wine alternatives. Luke shares his journey from a background in commodity trading to the world of food and drink entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and innovations in the alcohol-free wine market. The conversation delves into the...

In this sizzling episode of Food Rebels, host AJ Sharp fires up the mic with Sam and Shauna, the trailblazing women behind the Hang Fire Cookbook and champions of British barbecue. Get ready for an epic ride as they share how a bold leap from London led them straight into the smoky heart of American BBQ culture. Expect tales of meeting Dolly Parton, geeking out over the science of meat, and uncove...

AJ Sharp is joined by returning favourite Georgie Parsons for a deliciously meandering conversation covering everything from fine dining in South Africa to the curious impact of weight loss drugs on our love of food. Expect tales of tasting sessions at the Great Taste Awards, blueberry jam disasters, elderflower cordial plans gone rogue, and a surprisingly heated debate about kids and non-alcoholi...

In this episode, AJ Sharp is joined by the incredible Maria Bradford – chef, cookbook author, and founder of Shwen Shwen, the newly opened Sierra Leonean restaurant in Sevenoaks. Maria shares her journey from growing up in Freetown to becoming one of the UK’s most exciting voices in food. Together, they dive into the flavours of West Africa, the cultural significance of ingredients like sustainabl...

What makes a misfit or a rebel, and is everyone just fed up with the status quo in the food industry?  Join us for a very special live recording of the Food Rebels Podcast – from the iconic Fortnum & Mason! In this lively episode, the panel explore what it really means to be a challenger brand: those bold businesses shaking things up in food and drink with purpose and passion. Leading the conv...

In this episode, AJ Sharp gets stuck into a proper foodie chat with Louisa Mitchell, founder of Wildly Tasty, on why our little rebels deserve flavours that tickle their tastebuds. Forget beige fish fingers and hidden veg, this is a conversation for parents who believe kids deserve bold, honest, and wildly delicious food from day one. Louisa shares the story behind Wildly Tasty, her plant-based ki...

This week on Food Rebels, AJ Sharp meets Cathy Moseley, the founder of Boundless, the UK-based snack brand shaking up the gut health scene. From the high-stress world of commodity trading to championing fibre-rich, gut-loving snacks, Cathy’s journey is anything but ordinary. They dive into why sorghum might just be your gut's new best friend, how fibre is the unsung hero of health, and why mindful...

In this vibrant and flavour-packed episode, Don Martin, founder of Winnie’s Original, shares the story behind his bold, Caribbean-inspired condiments — and the deep roots that fuel his creativity. From his Jamaican heritage to his passion for flavour experimentation, Don talks about how his products are more than just sauces — they’re art on a plate. We dive into the family influences that shaped...

In this fiery episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp chats with the brilliant Dominique Woolf – musician, writer, and founder of The Woolf’s Kitchen – about how she turned a lockdown kitchen experiment into a nationwide chilli oil sensation. Dominique shares her inspiring journey from stay-at-home mum to award-winning food entrepreneur, opening up about her Thai heritage, the challenges of launching a b...

In this moving episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp speaks with Julie Friend, a MasterChef winner and food writer, about her personal journey with cancer. for a deeply personal conversation.  Julie opens up about her experience with cancer: the shock of the diagnosis, the emotional rollercoaster, and the devastating impact it had on her sense of taste and joy around food. But this isn’t just a story a...

🔥 In this sizzling episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp meets Dan Shearman: eco-chef, food truck renegade, and the bold founder of the UK’s original hot honey brand, WilderBee. What started as a spicy side hustle has become a million-pound business, blazing a trail through kitchens, burger joints, and cocktail bars across the UK. Dan shares the wild ride — from discovering hot honey in a New York piz...

This week on Food Rebels, AJ Sharp is joined by Imogen Royall from Northern Pasta Co. – the pasta pioneers turning your average dinner into a delicious act of rebellion. From living on a Croatian island to stamping 60,000 bags of pasta by hand, Imogen and her husband are showing us how food can be fun, sustainable, and full of heart. British grains, zero plastic, and pasta that actually hugs your...

This week on Food Rebels, AJ is joined by the brilliant Gok Wan for a heartfelt, honest, and often hilarious conversation about his lifelong love of food. From growing up in his family’s restaurant to the joy he finds in cooking for others, Gok shares how food has shaped his life—touching on everything from passion and creativity to personal challenges. He opens up about food as his everyday langu...

This week on Food Rebels, AJ sits down with Richard Parson, MD of the legendary Fudge Kitchen 🍬 From old-school fudge-making to bold flavour innovation, Richard shares the secrets behind 43 years of sweet success — including their shift to employee ownership, commitment to ethical sourcing, and why staying rebellious is key to staying relevant.

Join AJ Sharp, as she sits down with Ella Mckay, the brilliant mind behind Fatso 🍫 Ella shares how she’s making dark chocolate fun, indulgent, and unapologetically bold, while staying committed to ethical sourcing, clean ingredients, and innovative flavours. Plus, she opens up about the juggle of entrepreneurship and motherhood.

🌿 Last up in the Food Rebels Expert Series… we're revisiting Gut Matters! 🌿   Guest presenter Dhruv Baker joins AJ Sharp to dive into the world of gut health and how it can impact everything from our immunity to our mental health   From boosting immunity to supporting mental well-being, it’s clear your gut does so much more than just digest.   They’re joined by gut health expert Steven Van Midde...

It’s time to shine the spotlight back on our Drink to Thrive episode! 🔦   Host AJ Sharp and guest presenter Rebecca Woollard dive into the fascinating world of unique drinks. Discover the secrets to drinking more water and the surprising effects of fig leaves on kombucha. Plus, don't miss out on Kristal Baker's Great Taste award-winning range at Live Luxwells and Zak Tozer's groundbreaking, eco-f...

AJ’s got her hands full with some seriously exciting projects so can't jump into the presenting seat for a couple of weeks, but the foodie chat doesn’t stop! 🙌🏼   We're shining a light on 3 unforgettable episodes in the coming weeks, each featuring an expert co-host who brought serious insight, passion, and foodie wisdom to the table. 🎙️✨   First up, is Uplevel Your Cooking! Join host AJ Sharp...

This week, AJ Sharp is joined by Laurie Fermor of Freddie’s Farm to leap into the world of ultra-processed foods. The pair discuss the dangers of hyper-palatable snacks and the power of marketing. We also get an incredible insight from Laurie into what sets Freddie’s Farm’s products apart, while sharing tips for healthier snacking and practical advice for parents navigating food labels.

💕 Love is timeless… and so is this episode! 💕 We’re bringing back our Valentine’s Special because it’s just too good not to revisit! Whether you missed it the first time or just want to bask in the romance (or chaos) again, tune in as AJ Sharp and Show Producer Georgie Parsons dive into a feast of delicious delicacies. Can Georgie convince AJ that Valentine’s Day is actually worth celebrating af...

This week, AJ Sharp is reunited with Eve Tudor, and Suzy Pelta as they take a deep dive into the world of food judging. We also hear more about the complexities of consumer awareness in food choices, the balance between convenience and quality in cooking, and the group's predictions for the top food trends of 2025.