The Cheflife Podcast

In this episode of the Chef Life podcast, host Lee Cooper speaks with Chef Deepak Malya, head chef at the Ritz London. They discuss Deepak's unexpected journey into the culinary world, the importance of structure and precision in high-volume kitchens, and the significance of the brigade system in fostering career growth. Deepak shares insights on leadership styles, the balance between innovati...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Lee Cooper speaks with Andrew Turvil about his book 'Blood Sweat and Asparagus Spears', which explores the transformative decade of the 1990s in the UK restaurant scene. They discuss the evolution of dining culture, the impact of celebrity chefs, iconic dishes, and the economic and regulatory changes that shaped the industry. The conversation also tou...

Summary In this episode of the Chef Life podcast, host Lee Cooper speaks with Mark Haywood of Dingley Dell Pork about the journey of establishing a sustainable pork brand that prioritizes taste, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility. They discuss the challenges faced by farmers, the importance of provenance in food, and the evolving relationship between chefs and farmers. Mark shares in...

Summary In this episode, Lee Cooper discusses the current state of the hospitality industry, focusing on the alarming rate of pub closures in the UK due to rising costs. He highlights the need for innovation, such as repurposing empty office spaces into nightlife venues, and emphasizes the importance of sustainability and technology in the industry. Lee encourages chefs and operators to adapt and...

Episode Title: From Chester to Caistor – The Journey of Mark Poynton In this episode of the Cheflife Podcast, Lee sits down with acclaimed chef Mark Poynton to explore the milestones of his impressive culinary journey. From his early days in Chester to formative years at the legendary Midsummer House, Mark shares candid insights into the pressures and triumphs that shaped his path. He reflects on...

New Beginnings with Carl Newey | The Story We All Tell In this episode of The Cheflife Podcast , I’m joined for the first time by Carl Newey — and it won’t be the last. Carl steps in not just as a guest, but as the new co-presenter of the show. We dive into his culinary journey, the highs and lows of life in the kitchen, and his important ambassadorial role with The Burnt Chef Project. Carl opens...

In this solo episode of Cheflife, host Lee Cooper takes a deep dive into the origins and evolution of kitchen hierarchy—from the rigid structure of Escoffier’s brigade system to the boundary-breaking kitchens of Ferran Adrià, Noma, and Asma Khan. With over two decades in the industry, Lee brings personal stories and hard-earned insight to explore how leadership, structure, and culture have changed...

Kitchen lingo, What is it? Secret code for chefs

Episode 1 - Jon Fell Cumbrian chef et al, mad on seafood and an allround top guy. We discuss jon and what he is upto now, the top 100 restaurants list, college ( culinary school), Jons 3 must haves in the kitchen and the story that is always told. For details on Cumbria vacancies https://ospreyinns.co.uk/ for any enquires on cheflife podcast cheflifepodcast@icloud.com

Up and running and trying to establish what it is I’m doing.

I really want to start sharing my journey along with colleagues and friends