Table Talk

Alexandra Collier is a Melbourne-based writer who has written for theatre, screen and print. She is a MacDowell fellow and a recipient of the RE Ross Trust playwrites' award. Her memoir Inconceivable , about her journey to becoming a solo Mum by choice, is out now.  On the podcast she tells Lara and Liv why restaurants are inherently theatrical places, discusses her experience with IVF, and explai...

Philip Hensher is a novelist and regular contributor to The Spectator’s books pages. His books cover a variety of subjects and often deal with important historical change, such as the fall of the Berlin wall and the war in Afghanistan. His most recent novel is To Battersea Park .  On the podcast, he discusses how he developed an affection for offal as a small child, the secret to an ‘austerely per...

Michel Roux Jr. is an English-French chef and is the chef patron of Le Gavroche, the first restaurant in the UK to received one, two and then three Michelin stars. Earlier this year it was announced that Le Gavroche will close its doors in January.  On the podcast, he recalls how his father would hand churn vanilla ice cream, reveals his fondness for both traditional French custard and English pac...

Tara Wigley is the in-house writer for the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, she also has a weekly column in the Guardian and a monthly column in the New York Times which she shares with Yotam Ottolenghi. On the podcast she reminisces about her father's 'egg in the cup', the secret to a great Ottolenghi recipe, and takes Lara and Liv through her new book How to Butter Toast,  which is written completely in...

Celia Walden is a journalist, novelist and critic whose most recent novel,  The Square,  is out now. On the podcast she tells Lara and Liv why lentils are her ultimate comfort food, explains the joys of a buttered scotch pancake and discloses her husband Piers' signature dish, 'spaghetti Morganese'.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/...

Victoria Hislop is a bestselling author and a lover of all things Mediterranean. Victoria’s first book ' The Island', came out in 2005 and became an immediate international best-seller. Victoria’s subsequent novels have explored the Spanish Civil War, Cyprus and the Greek islands, and she’s celebrated for cleverly combining history, culture, family, time and place into fascinating stories. Her lat...

John Nichol is a former RAF Tornado navigator who, during the first Gulf War in 1991, was famously shot down, paraded on television and held prisoner by Saddam Hussein. John wrote movingly about his experience in his first book, 'Tornado Down' , and has gone on to write fifteen more best-selling books. His latest,  'Eject, Eject',  is out now. He also loves food, is very fond of cooking and often...

Ewan Venters is the former chief executive of Fortnum & Mason and is now the CEO of Artfarm and Hauser & Wirth. Ewan is launching Artfarm’s first London venture combining food, drink and art which will also mark the revival of the historic Mayfair landmark, The Audley. Presented by Olivia Potts. Produced by Linden Kemkaran. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts...

Diana Henry is a critically acclaimed, multi-award winning cook, food writer and author of 12 books including the classic cookbook ' Roast Figs, Sugar Snow', which has just been updated and re-released twenty years after it was first published. Diana also writes for newpapers and magazines, and presents food programmes on TV and radio. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast wit...

Philip Khoury became the head pastry chef at Harrods in 2018. He made it his mission to pioneer the creation of plant-based desserts, calling it the 'last frontier' of vegan cuisine. He's just written a book 'A New Way to Bake', which came out on 31st August 2023, and which focuses on creating masterpieces out of vegan ingredients. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without...

The Hon. Mr Justice Mostyn was a British high court judge who left the Bench just a few weeks ago. Nick Mostyn enjoyed a long and distinguished career and earned the nicknames 'Mostyn Powers' and 'Mr Payout' after winning vast sums for ex-wives in high-profile divorce cases. Recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he went on to form the cult podcast 'Movers and Shakers' with fellow sufferers...

James Dreyfus is an actor, best known for his roles in TV sitcoms The Thin Blue Line and Gimme Gimme Gimme . James also appeared in the film Nottinghill and has a long and distinguished stage career. On the podcast, James talks about his early memories of food living between France and America; some of the catering throughout his acting career and how that's changed over the years; and his time on...

Ebru Baybara Demir is a Turkish chef with a big dream; to introduce tourism to Mardin, a municipality in the Kurdish region of Turkey. It was a brave decision as Mardin is a city beset by terror-related security issues, boasting very little local agriculture and dealing with huge border problems due to the war in neighbouring Syria.  On the podcast they discuss the challenges of creating a restaur...

Jimi Famurewa is a British-Nigerian journalist, writer, broadcaster and food critic. In 2020 Jimi became chief restaurant critic for the Evening Standard and he has also won the restaurant writing awards at both the Fortnum and Mason and Guild of Food Writers awards. On the podcast they discuss Jimi's new book Settlers: Journeys Through the Food, Faith and Culture of Black African London , his ear...

Amy Newsome is a Kew-trained horticulturalist, beekeeper and author of the new book Honey: Recipe's from a beekeepers kitchen .  On the podcast, she tells Lara and Liv how beekeeping saved her mental health, why you should always keep at least four types of honey in your pantry and details her desert island meal.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to sp...

Ingrid Newkirk is a British-American activist, who founded People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in 1980.  She speaks to Lara about her earliest memories of food, the joys of a Greggs vegan sausage roll, and defends PETA’s controversial tactics.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectato...

Eddie is an American author, chef, restauranteur, presenter and former attorney. He has recently brought his famous Taiwanese bao buns over the UK, and they are now available at Neighbourhood in Islington and Shelter Hall in Brighton.  On the podcast he tells Liv and Lara about his early memories of cooking with his mother, how to make the perfect fried rice, and the process of setting up his accl...

Sarah Woods is an author and cook, who left her corporate job behind to pursue her real passion after reaching the final of BBC1's Best Home Cook 2020. Her first cookbook, Desi Kitchen , has recently been released.  On the podcast she tells Liv and Lara about her upbringing in a Punjabi household and how she was inspired by Desi communities around the UK. Become a Spectator subscriber today to acc...

Niki Segnit is the author of the hit cooking books The Flavour Thesaurus and Lateral Cooking . Her new book The Flavour Thesaurus more flavours: Plant-led pairings, recipes and ideas for cooks , is out this Thursday 11th May.    On the podcast she speaks to Lara and Liv about weird and wonderful flavour combinations, her childhood fascination with Oxo cubes and why she has gone plant-led for her n...

Guy is the managing director of The Tracklements Company, providers of artisan chutneys, relishes and preserves, all made in small batches and to traditional recipes.  On the podcast they talk about the joys beef dripping on toast, the thriving food scene in Wiltshire and Guy's desert island meal. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adf...

Jonathan Ray is The Spectator’s drinks editor and formerly wine critic for the Telegraph . He has also written several books on the subject of wine and how to buy it.  On the podcast Lara, Liv and Jonny share a glass of wine and discuss Jonathan’s earliest memories of food, his go-to hangover cure and his desert island meal.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adver...

Fadi Kattan is a Palestinian chef and hotelier who has recently brought a menu inspired by all the different regions of his home country to his new restaurant Akub , in Notting Hill.  On the podcast he talks about inheriting his love of food from his grandmothers, what it was like opening a restaurant on the occupied West Bank and his love of oysters.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access...

Eleanor is a features writer and columnist for the Daily Telegraph where she writes the the regular food column The Art of Friday Night Dinner. Her new book – of the same name – is released on the 30th March and includes recipes for every kind of Friday night.  On the podcast she reminisces about her mother's famous tomato sauce, takes us through her perfect Friday night and explains why she has a...

Tom Athron is the CEO of luxury brand Fortnum and Mason, a position which he undertook during the pandemic having held senior roles at John Lewis and Waitrose. On the podcast he talks about his earliest memories of food, the produce he grows in his vegetable patch and what makes Fortnums so special.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/...

Alexander Downer is an Australian former politician and diplomat, whose roles have included Leader of the Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.  On the podcast he discusses his earliest memories growing up on a farm in Southern Australia, the role of food and wine in successful diplomacy, and why George W Bush is the perfect dinner party guest. Be...