The Ceres Podcast

Simon Bonwick owner of The Crown in Burchetts Green, Berkshire. Andy Hayler put me on to Simon as he referred to The Crown as probably one of the best restaurants in the UK outside of London.  We talk about his journey and how he had his Napoleon moment and lost two pubs, but he didn't go bankrupt he knuckled down and paid everyone off. He then worked as a private chef and then fell in love with t...

Dr Tom Pickerell is Global Tuna Director at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. Tom has a degree in marine biology, and over the years he has worked at WWF UK, Defra, Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB), Seafish & Seafood Watch program at Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.    Dr Tom & Stelios discuss so many seaworthy topics, and they discuss the claims that there will be no edible fish...

Andy Hayler is probably the only person at present to have eaten at every 3 star Michelin restaurant in the world. He has a wealth of experience reviewing restaurants, what is refreshing is that he pays for all his travel and meals; he is completely unbiased and independent.    Andy Hayler's Restaurant Guide Andy Hayler's Twitter Andy Hayler's Instagram

Group Ceo & Chairman Tony Crolla from The Vittoria Group. The Vittoria Group runs the following successful businesses Vittoria on the Walk , Vittoria on the Bridge , La Favorita , Divino Enoteca , Taste of Italy and Berties Fish & Chips .   In this episode we discuss the journey of building a business of this scale, challenges and opportunities.   Image credit: Headshots Scotland .

Dale Osborne (Bistrot Bagatelle) is a brilliant chap, we had a great chat about his journey as a chef. We discuss his time at Bournemouth College, The Goring Hotel, Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat - Four Seasons, The Orrery, The Wolseley, St Alban, His, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and more great places.  Really loved this episode as Dale is a good laugh and pretty honest.  Enjoy.   Dale Osborne Twitter ...

James Lipscombe is the Managing Director of The Chesterford Group, the parent company of Churchill's Fish and Chips, Fishnchickn & Bankers Fish & Chips.     We discuss the challenges of recruiting and retaining nearly 550 staff across almost 40 sites and "the shed". We cover lots of topics, including business models, aggregator delivery model, dietary changes, lifestyle, changes, BREXIT, and so mu...

Garry Rosser is the owner of The Scallop Shell in Bath, Somerset. We discuss his early years in the hospitality industry. He is unique that he has been a chef but also worked as a fishmonger. He opened The Scallop Shell in 2015 and has overcome many challenges, and soon he will be opening a takeaway in Bath called The Oyster Shell. The Scallop Shall Website The Scallop Shell Facebook The Scallop S...

Kelly & Tim Barnes are from the award-winning Krispies in Exmouth, the 'home' of the battered chip.   We discuss many great topics including; Their journey, challenges and today. Being on TV for the Best of the British Takeaway. Refurbishments & Investing in the business. Awards & staff motivation. Charity & Goodwill General chit chat. Favourite Books. People who have inspired them.   Find & Follo...

Stelios talks with Andrew Crook (President, National Federation of Fish Friers) & Mark Petrou (Petrou Bros, Chatteris). We discuss most of the listener questions that were sent into Stelios.  

Tony Kitous is the owner of Kenza, Levant, Yalla Yalla, Shawa and the Founder and Creative Director of Comptoir Libanais Group. His journey starts in 1988 when he comes to London with around £70 in his pocket, fast forward to today and he is involved with nearly 37 restaurants. Tony's mission has been to introduce people in the UK to Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine, he wants it to be up there...

This is our first episode talking to a food producer; I want to do more of these as they are the beginning of the journey for many food businesses. Razan Alsous is the perfect person to start with, Razan came over to the UK in 2012 after fleeing war-torn Syria. She has overcome many challenges to start her own business making 'Halloumi' cheese in the U.K. We discuss the challenges of being a refug...

Zohaib Hussain is a previous winner of the Drywite Young Fish Frier Award, in this episode, we discuss how he got into the fish and chip industry, his involvement in the documentary fly on the wall video "frying tonight", Drywite Young Fish Frier and current topics. Frying Tonight Video Zohaib's Book Recommendation: Warren Buffet - The Essays of Warren Buffet  

Cyrus & Stelios discuss his upbringing in Bombay, his journey into being a chef where it is frowned upon at the time in India.  We talk about how his career as a chef brings him to the UK and how he takes a massive interest in training at Cafe Spice Namaste, we discuss cooking oils, meats that have fallen out of favour and how he feels about negative reviews on the likes of trip advisor.  Cyrus is...

Fred Capel is a legend in the fish & chip industry. He is the owner of Chez Fred in Westbourne, Bournemouth.   We discuss his journey into the fish & chip industry,   up to the present day, and discuss the many lessons he has learnt along the way.   Book recommendation:   7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey  

Bobby Joyce is National Sales Manager at the well-respected fish merchants Smales based in Hull. We had a really good conversation about his journey, the fascinating history of Smales Fish Merchants and then the fish industry. Where you can find more about Bobby and Smales. Smales Website Bobby Joyce Linkedin

Loren Hiller is the commercial officer at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), we discussed so many topics relating to the oceans, sustainability and seafood in general.    Where you can find out more about Loren and MSC.  MSC Website MSC Facebook MSC Twitter  MSC Instagram  Loren Hiller Linkedin

Craig Buckley is the owner of The Fish Bar in Crewe. We had a really good chat about his journey into fish and chips and his role at the National Federation of Fish Friers. Really good to  get his view on current events.  The Fish Bar Website The Fish Bar Facebook Page    

Phil Vickery is one of the chefs on ITV This Morning. However, you probably wouldn't know that he has been a Michelin starred chef and worked his way through the ranks.  We discuss his journey from chef to television chef and farmer.  Today he is the writer of   14 cookbooks, coeliac ambassador, chef on TV, pig farmer,   and heads up a range of food products suitable for coeliacs.   Phil Vickery B...

Stelios gives a little update about the podcast. - Ideas about the podcast, hope of the future. - Types of people we want to interview. - Questions & Answers. Podcast Recommendations: - Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner. - The Bottom Line by Evan Davis (BBC). - The Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell. Book Recommendations: - Grinding It Out: The Making Of McDonald's by Ray Kroc. - Freakonomics: A...

Thomas Colombo is a professional mixologist, he is the founder and owner of Mambo Mobile Bars and travels the country mixing up drinks.  We wanted to talk to someone different in the hospitality industry, and I think Thomas is a perfect example with a unique business.  Thomas Book Recommendation: The Craft of the Cocktail - Dale Degroff   Where to find Thomas online; About Thomas Website Instagram...

Andrew Crook is the President of the National Federation of Fish Friers and co owner of Skippers of Euxton. We discuss many interesting topics inc; - How he got into the trade. - Packaging. - Public Health. - NFFF. - General industry topics. Andrew's Book Recommendation: Tribes: We need you to lead us by Seth Godin - https://amzn.to/2SLtelZ

Mark Petrou is former Seafish Fish and Chip shop of the Year Winner ; he is one of the resident trainers at the KFE school of excellence. Aside from winning fish and chip shop of the year, he and his brother have run multiple businesses (usually all at once). We discuss his history and the ups and downs of the business. Mark has also written Fish & Chips - A National Treasure .  https://amzn.to/2P...