Lifting the Curtain: Conversations in Hospitality

What does it really take to build a decades-long career in hospitality—and still love it? In this episode of Lifting the Curtain , Andy sits down with a long-time mentor, colleague, and friend—now Managing Director of Soho House UK & Europe—to unpack a remarkable journey from Navy officer to sommelier… to boardroom leader. This is a raw, honest conversation about leadership, resilience, and wh...

From Michelin Kitchens to 23 Restaurants: Anthony’s Journey as Culinary Director at Gaucho What does it really take to go from a 16-year-old apprentice in Provence to running the kitchens of over 20 restaurants? In this episode of Lifting The Curtain , we sit down with Anthony — Culinary Director at Gaucho — to unpack 30 years in hospitality. From brutal Michelin-star training in France to leading...

Mental health has long been one of hospitality’s biggest unspoken struggles. In this deeply honest episode of Lifting the Curtain , Andy sits down with Kris Hall, founder of The Burnt Chef Project, to talk about depression, burnout, stigma, and why the industry must change — not someday, but now. Kris shares his personal journey through mental illness, therapy, and recovery, and how those experien...

In this episode of Lifting the Curtain , host Andy Downton sits down with hospitality icon Dr. Robert Walton MBE — widely regarded as the Godfather of Hospitality . From opening his first restaurant at just 24, to shaping generations of chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals, Bob shares a candid, insightful, and often unexpected reflection on a lifetime in the industry. This conversat...

In this episode of Lifting the Curtain , Andy Downton sits down with Matthias Lataille — founder of No&(F)LOW — for a deeply honest conversation about sobriety, identity, and the changing face of hospitality. Matthias shares his powerful personal journey into sobriety, including how alcohol impacted his health, fertility, and sense of self — and how removing it transformed his family life, cre...

From Sandhurst to Savoy, Artesian and her own consultancy, Anna Sebastian unpacks real hospitality leadership, bar culture, burnout and purpose. From Sandhurst to Leicester Square nightclubs, from the American Bar at The Savoy to rebuilding the Artesian and launching her own consultancy, Anna Sebastian (@AnnaSebastian3) has lived just about every version of modern hospitality. In this episode of L...

In this episode of The Burnt Chocolate Podcast , we sit down with Chef Calum Franklin , the man who turned traditional British pies into an art form — earning him the title “The Pie King.” From washing dishes to running world-class kitchens like The Holborn Dining Room , The Public House Paris , and The Georgian at Harrods , Calum shares the raw truth about life in hospitality — and how an antique...

Join Andy Downton of Burnt Chocolate Consultancy for a deep dive with Chef and Owner Jesse Dunford Wood of Parlour, Six Portland Road, and Events by Harvest. Jesse’s career is a masterclass in resilience, creative operational management, and embracing industry challenges. In this wide-ranging conversation, recorded live at Parlour in Kensal Rise, Andy and Jesse explore the chef's remarkable journe...

Join Andy Downton as he welcomes Jean-Baptiste (JB), the dynamic leader behind the expansion of London's premier Thesleff Group. From a childhood steeped in French gastronomy to managing Michelin-star restaurants and navigating the evolving hospitality landscape in London and beyond, JB shares a remarkable journey defined by passion, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to service excelle...

Join Andy Downton in conversation with David Carter, the visionary behind Smokestak, Manteca, Oma, and Agora- four of London’s most talked-about restaurants. From his roots in Barbados to redefining accessible dining in the capital, David shares his journey, leadership philosophy, and the challenges and triumphs of running a modern restaurant group. Key Highlights: - From Street Food to Restaurant...

Join Andy Downton as he sits down with Simon King, the Managing Director of Heston Blumenthal’s iconic Fat Duck Group, for an inspiring and insightful conversation about hospitality leadership and innovation. In this episode, Simon shares his journey from managing Michelin-starred restaurants to mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals. Key Highlights: • Behind the Curtain at The...

Join Andy Downton as he interviews Simon Young, founder of Simon Young Culinary Solutions and one of the UK’s most respected chefs, with over 40 years’ experience leading luxury hotel kitchens at Rosewood London and Jumeirah Carlton Tower. In this episode, Simon shares his journey from executive chef to successful consultant and reveals the secrets to building stronger, more profitable hospitality...

Join Andy Downton as he sits down with Matt Mawtus, General Manager of London’s acclaimed Hide, for a candid conversation about the realities and rewards of modern hospitality management. Key Highlights: - Hide’s Evolution: Matt shares the journey of transitioning Hide from two restaurants into one unified concept, and how 2024 became a year of learning and adaptation. - **Staffing & Brexit:**...