From the hustle of finance to the heat of the kitchen, Mark Selby, co-founder of Wahaca, sits down with me to serve up a story that’s as flavourful as it is insightful. With a dash of serendipity, Mark recounts the pivotal moments that took him from the world of finance into the arms of the restaurant industry, alongside Thomasina Miers. Together, they've stirred up more than just tantalising dishes, giving birth to Wahaca in the vibrant heart of Covent Garden. Their tale is one of blending a passion for Mexican culture with a stringent ethos of sustainability, setting their restaurant group a ..read more

Imagine swapping the courtroom for the kitchen; that's exactly what Chantelle Nicholson, the culinary virtuoso at the helm of London's sustainability mecca, Apricity, did. Her remarkable journey from law student to award-winning chef is not just a tale of career transformation, but a stirring testament to the power of passion. In our latest episode, Chantelle opens up about the defining moments that took her from a family orchard in New Zealand to the pinnacle of the UK's food scene, earning a Michelin Green Star for her unyielding commitment to the environment. Join us as we peel back the la ..read more

Imagine leaving behind a life destined for the stage, microphone in hand, to command the bustling kitchen of a Michelin-starred restaurant Tomas Lidakevicius did just that, trading beats for beets, and in our latest episode, he recounts his extraordinary transition from aspiring rapper to culinary maestro. His story begins amidst the transformative post-Soviet era in Lithuania and unfolds across the high-pressure cooklines of London, where he rised across roles to become to executive chef at the Michelin stared City Social  until opening up his own restaurant called Turnips, his own innov ..read more

Ever dreamt of leaving your routine job and setting off on an adventurous journey of passion? Imagine swapping your job for a distillery, and this episode brings you the real-life story of someone who did just that! Meet Martin Murray, co-founder of Dunnet Bay Distillers, who took the audacious leap from the oil and gas industry to distilling, creating jobs for himself and his wife, Claire. From developing the award-winning Rock Rose Gin to the Holy Grass Vodka, hear all about their tale of triumphs, challenges, and the central role of local wisdom and sustainability in their distilling voyage ..read more

Imagine enjoying a refreshing, plant-based drink while basking in the glow of an outdoor adventure. That’s exactly what Alistair Frost, founder of Pentire, had in mind when he created his unique brand, inspired by his love for active outdoor living. Join us as we dive into Alistair's fascinating transition from the bar scene to entrepreneurship, and how his changing relationship with alcohol led to the creation of a healthier, plant-based drink alternative. We'll explore how Pentire captures the essence of the outdoor experience in each bottle, from the carefully selected ingredients to the br ..read more

discount code: JAYSPEANUTBUTTER - 15% off - single use only (as of Friday 27th Oct) Today on the podcast we welcome Stu MacDonald, the founder of the ground-breaking peanut butter brand, ManiLife. Stu is a food fanatic with an incredible tale of seizing a chance on his travels to Argentina and turning it into a revolution in the peanut butter market. Learn about Stu's journey, from overcoming the fear of starting a business to developing an unwavering focus on product quality and provenance. Plus, don't miss out on a special discount code: JAYSPEANUTBUTTER for 15% off. Stu didn't just create ..read more

Imagine trading a predictable career in finance for the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship in the middle of a pandemic. That's exactly what our guest, Kevin Tang, the go-getter behind the organic iced tea brand, Kaytea , did. An unforeseen visa complication coupled with the global lockdown propelled him to chase his dream, resulting in a thrilling journey from brewing tea in his kitchen to creating a website to test the market waters. Kevin's story is a testament to the power of resilience and perseverance. Tune in as Kevin takes us along the road less travelled, narrating the realities ..read more

Today we have Camilla Barnard, co-founder of Rude Health.  Rude Health was founded in 2005 by Camilla and Nick Barnard. They started with the Ultimate Muesli, which they created around their kitchen table. Today, 18 years into the journey, Rude Health can be found in fridges and cupboards worldwide, with a 60-plus product portfolio.  Along with an unrivalled range of Dairy-free Drinks and Muselis, the brand now offers everything from flavourful Granolas, Porridges, Puffs and Flakes to seriously exciting snacks. For each and everyone, the approach to flavour remains the same.   Q ..read more

Welcome to the Recipe for Greatness podcast today we have Marc Summers - the founder of Bubala - the Middle Eastern restaurant with two sites in London, Spitalfields and Soho. Bubala is a Michelin-recommended restaurant, with rave reviews from Jay Rayner and Jimi Famurewa. In 2022 Jay Rayner called Helen Graham, the executive chef, six chefs to watch in the Observer Food Monthly.  Support the show ..read more

Today we have Chris Leach, co-founder of Manteca. Manteca is a modern Italian-British restaurant focused on nose-to-tail cooking and fire-cooked meat. It was awarded 11th Best Restaurant in Britain at the National Restaurant Awards and received a Michelin Bib Gourmand. It has also received rave reviews from Grace Dent and Jay Rayner calling it "Genuine verve and originality". Prior to Launching Manteca Chris worked at Petersham Nurseries, Pitt Cue and Kitty Fisher.  Support the show ..read more