thefoodpeople In Conversation With...

In this plant centric and sustainability focussed episode, Rob Howell – Head Chef, Root, Bristol joins Charles to discuss: The guiding culinary principles of Root, Bristol  How chefs and diners are equally as excited about plant-based eating  His unique prospective on a vegetable centric approach and why it is relevant now His own creative process when designing a dish and how cuisine & cultur...

In this inventive episode, which is bound to make you hungry, David Swann - Chef & Founder of StarChefs joins Charles to discuss: The unique, restaurant quality dining experience StarChefs have created and why now is the right time The purpose and future aspirations for StarChefs The ‘unsung’ chef talent in the UK How the experience element of in-home dining is evolving The future of meal-kits...

In this thought-provoking and motivating episode, Alessandro Savelli - CEO & Founder of Pasta Evangelists joins Charles to discuss: The founding inspiration behind Pasta Evangelists The importance of passion beyond a great business idea The Pasta Evangelists vision and purpose  The Dragon’s Den story - from rejection to a Barilla majority share holding What Barilla’s input means to the busines...

In this intriguing episode, Charles speaks to tea sommelier and Founder of Kineta , Leane Tilley. Leane joins us to talk about:  Her journey into the world of tea and matcha The Kineta purpose, meaning behind Kineta and the 'matcha effect' The matcha making process is and how it differs from 'regular' tea  The benefits that matcha can have on health & wellbeing How matcha i...

In this creative and thought-provoking episode James joins us to talk about: The start of his food journey and the common thread that joins up his work.  His key pillars to living and cooking more sustainably.  Techniques that he uses in the kitchen to add value to raw ingredients that also help mitigate waste.  His 5 tips for sustainable living, cooking and eating and what 'local' means...

In this thought-provoking and inspiring episode Paul joins us to talk about: The team at The Ainsworth Collection, how integral they are and how he goes about attracting the next generation of amazing chefs to Cornwall The bounty of Cornwall and some of the 'gems' of suppliers that he's come across The inspirational chefs that he's worked with over the years and what some of th...

In this inspiring and intriguing episode, Charles speaks to Chef Valentino Cassanelli from Michelin star Lux Lucis & Dalmazia Restaurant, Forte dei Marmi. Valentino discusses: Where his passion for food comes from and the chefs who have inspired and influenced him What modern Italian food/cooking means to him and what the comfort factor is when it comes to Italian cuisine How Michelin star Lux...

In this episode, Charles speaks to Alysha Darcy, Co-Founder of Melbourne Public Group about their new enterprise that with the ‘health of hospitality’ very much at its heart, is uniting the industry in the wake of COVID-19 to a new ‘healthier’ era of business. Alysha talks about her experiences as a child of being born into pubs and hospitality, what’s broken with the hospitality industry right no...

In this episode, Charles speaks to Lily Bovey, Co-founder of GROUND – the ‘green red meat company’ about the timely launch of their new climate positive burger brand. Lily talks about the purpose of GROUND, what she’s setting out to do, why now is the right time, the principles of regenerative agriculture, what a ‘climate positive’ positioning means and her concerns about mis-information in food a...

In this episode, Charles speaks to Jas Ayling, former 2019 Masterchef Quarter Finalist, Head of Innovation at Wagamama and now Founder of Rendang & Rice . Jas talks about how she taken inspiration from her Dutch-Indonesian heritage, how authenticity is based on personal experience, her earliest food childhood memories and the icon fragrance of Indonesian Bumbu.  In addition, Jas explains her c...

In this episode, Charles speaks to Brody Sweeney, Founder of Camile Thai Kitchen . Brody talks about his ambition to be the ‘Domino’s’ of delivered Asian Food, the relevance of their delivered business model in this COVID-era, the role that dark kitchens can play in hospitality today, how they’ve driven innovation through initiatives such as compostable packaging and robotics across their 40+ esta...

In this episode, Charles speaks to Anthony Warner aka the ‘ The Angry Chef ’ about his new book - ‘Ending Hunger - The Quest to Feed the World Without Destroying it’. Anthony talks about what’s wrong with global food systems, how the food landscape could look by 2050, hunger in the context of sustainable food systems and how he’s not advocating global veganism. In addition, Anthony shares his view...

In this episode, Charles speaks to Jon Davies, MD of Levy UK + Ireland, one of the world’s leading sports, venue and hospitality catering providers. Jon talks about how he’s seen consumers and the food industry change over his career, how hospitality can and should have a positive impact on the future sustainability of the planet and how having a common purpose is an intrinsic part of recovery. In...

In this fascinating episode, Charles speaks to Mark Parr, Founder of London Log Co . As an intrinsic part of the culinary wood and charcoal supply chain in the UK, Mark talks about his passion for forestry, his intimate account of the growth of fire cooking, the chefs involved and how it shifted from being a food cult to a food culture. In addition, Mark discusses fire cooking across all cuisines,...

In this insightful and inspirational episode, Charles speaks to Timo Boldt, Founder & CEO of Gousto . Timo talks about his founding inspiration for Gousto, the perfect storm of consumer trends, how sustainability will become more important into the future and Gousto's Purpose. In addition, Timo discusses the fine line between passion for food and being data led, the importance of human ta...

In this inspirational episode, Charles speaks to Hannah Catley – Owner of LockDown Loaves , Bristol. Hannah, ex pastry chef at Chiltern Firehouse and Allegra talks about how she’s turned her experiences in the COVID-19 lockdown into a business opportunity, her vision and key principles and the importance of putting community at the heart of her new venture. In addition Hannah discusses the product...

In this inspirational episode, Charles speaks to Atul Kochhar – Chef, Entrepreneur and Restaurateur. Atul, who owns and runs 5 award winning modern Indian restaurants talks about how home cooks and communities across India continually inspire his menus, how ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ is a genius idea, how his work ethic comes from his parents and the importance of sleep. In addition, Atul discusses his...

In this thought provoking episode, Charles speaks to Matt Chatfield – Low impact grazier and the man behind Cull Yaw. Matt, a former designer and restauranteur talks about his family who have farmed in Devon for over 400 years, the discovery and creation of 'Cull Yaw' and the principles of Silvopasture. In addition, Matt discusses his belief that 'if you look after nature, the flavo...

In this episode of 'thefoodpeople in conversation with', Charles speaks to Breige Donaghy - Director of Delicious Food at Co-op about their purpose, how that drives what they do, what Breige wants to be famous for, as well as the opportunities and challenges they face in the Covid-era in food & drink. In this exclusive interview, Breige talks about the importance of sustainability, f...