In this fun, flavour-packed episode, Shanghai-born home cook, content creator and influencer Verna Gao shares her journey from growing up in China to becoming a full-time recipe creator with over 900k followers on TikTok and Instagram. She reflects on how her love for teaching others to cook Chinese food began at university and flourished during the pandemic, leading to her debut cookbook Have You Eaten?, which celebrates nostalgic recipes from different stages of her life.

Verna talks about the rise of Asian cuisine in mainstream culture, her fascination with sweet and spicy flavour pairings, and her creative use of pure Canadian maple syrup as a versatile ingredient. She also shares insights into content creation, from building an engaged audience to balancing relatability with viral potential, and why her dumpling and noodle videos always resonate.

The conversation takes us through Verna’s global adventures, including Bandeja Paisa in Colombia, a hearty platter of rice, beans, ground beef, chorizo, fried pork belly, fried egg, plantain, avocado and arepa, and her favourite food spots in London, such as Cay Tre Soho and Duck & Waffle. Verna also discusses co-hosting Channel 4’s Served and her  “Bowl-ified” segment, where she reimagines knife and fork dishes like beef wellington, taco soup and spring rolls into sofa-friendly meals.

Looking ahead, she is excited to explore more travel-led content, shining a light on local gems and culinary stories from around the world.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.  

Verna’s cookbook is available here.

For recipes and cookbook announcements, follow Verna here:

www.instagram.com/vernahungrybanana/ or visit her website https://www.vernabanana.com.

In the first episode of this new series, James is joined by Dean Edwards, Bristol-born chef, MasterChef 2006 finalist, and familiar face as the resident chef on ITV’s Lorraine. Known for his approachable “fakeaway” recipes and family-friendly cooking style, Dean reflects on his unconventional journey from digger driver to celebrated food personality.

Dean shares how MasterChef kickstarted his culinary journey, leading to his first professional role under chef Daniel Clifford at the two Michelin-starred Midsummer House, a pivotal experience that helped him find his voice in the world of food. He opens about overcoming shyness, imposter syndrome on live TV, and the evolution of his cooking across seven cookbooks.

The conversation also touches on his time in Canada as a Maple from Canada UK ambassador, where he and James, along with fellow ambassadors Verna Gao and Alice Fevronia, explored the world of maple syrup production, visited sugar shacks, and immersed themselves in Canadian culture. Dean also discusses the realities of recipe development for social media, why he focuses on simplicity, affordability, and realism in his content, and how he’s helping families create delicious meals at home for a fraction of takeaway prices.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.  

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/   

For recipes and cookbook announcements, follow Dean here: https://www.instagram.com/deanedwardschef/ 

In this episode, Charlotte Firth, a UK-based recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator, shares her journey from documenting her baking on a website to turning food photography, recipe development, and content creation into her full-time career. After a client hired her to bake a cookie with their audience on Instagram, Charlotte embarked on a journey that led her to go part-time in digital marketing in 2021 and full-time in 2022.

Charlotte talks about her inspirations, including Kimberly Espinel and Lizzie Crocker, and how she incorporates maple syrup into both savoury dishes and desserts. She discusses her typical day as a content creator, creating compelling food stories through styling and video content, and the importance of family meals.

She highlights how food content creation has evolved with the rise of short-form video and changing trends. Charlotte also shares advice for aspiring creators, emphasising practice, risk-taking, and authenticity. She also discusses her e-book This Is How We Roll, a guide to making cinnamon rolls, which includes vegan options and braiding techniques. Lastly, Charlotte predicts 2025 food trends, like pistachio and matcha, and the need to adapt trends uniquely.

For collaborations, find Charlotte on Instagram or her website, acupofteaandcake.com.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/ 

Follow Charlotte here: https://www.instagram.com/acupofteaandcake/?hl=en

Resources mentioned in the interview:

A Cup of Tea and Cake website: https://acupofteaandcake.com/

The Motion Method (Food Videography & Reels Course): https://acupofteaandcake.thinkific.com/courses/the-motion-method

This Is How We Roll – E-book: https://acupofteaandcake.com/product/this-is-how-we-roll/

In this episode, Graham, Executive Chef at The Dining Room at The Goring—a prestigious Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant in London—shares his journey through the food industry, from taking time off for his family to the call that brought him to The Goring. He reflects on starting as a specialised chef at Claridge’s at just 16, cooking with his grandmother, and how his father influenced his career choice.

Graham discusses the importance of teaching upcoming chefs about discipline, even in mundane tasks, and maintaining a non-toxic kitchen environment. He explores changes in kitchen culture and highlights his culinary inspirations—quality seasonal ingredients and simplicity. He also shares his love for using natural ingredients like maple syrup.

For aspiring chefs, Graham advises staying updated on industry trends, dining widely, and learning about agriculture and ingredients. Looking ahead at The Goring, he plans to enhance social media presence, continue delivering exceptional afternoon tea, and focus on staff well-being.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/ 

Follow Graham here: https://www.instagram.com/grahamsquire/

Resources mentioned in the interview:

The Goring: https://www.thegoring.com/food-drink/the-dining-room/

In this episode, James chats to Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef of the Michelin-starred Northcote restaurant. Lisa was also one of the chefs on Great British Menu. Here, she discusses upcoming food trends for 2025, humble winter recipes, and the importance of seasonal ingredients. Lisa reflects on her culinary journey, the impact of social media on the industry, and the evolution of Northcote’s Obsession food festival. Plus, she shares her favourite winter dishes and insights into the benefits of cooking with game meat.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.  

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/   

Follow Lisa here: https://www.instagram.com/chef_lisa_goodwinallen/

Resources mentioned in the interview: 

Northcote www.northcote.com

Obsession Food Festival https://www.northcoteobsession.com/

The Savoy www.thesavoylondon.com

Join James as he chats with Mag Kirwan, co-owner of Goatsbridge Trout, a sustainable Irish trout farm that she and her husband have run for 33 years. In this episode, Mag shares the story of their family-run business, and the wisdom they've gained along the way. Discover the health benefits of trout, favourite recipes, and the importance of incorporating sustainably sourced fish into our diets.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.  

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/   

Follow Goatsbridge here: https://www.instagram.com/goatsbridge/

Resources mentioned in the interview: 

Goatsbridge Trout Pate https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/goatsbridge-eat-trout-pate-125g

ChalkStream Trout https://www.chalkstreamfoods.co.uk/

You can buy Mag’s recipe book Fishwives here; https://goatsbridgetrout.ie/product/fishwives-a-cookbook-by-goatsbridge/

Here James catches up with Australian gluten-free cookbook author, recipe developer and TV host, Helen Tzouganatos. In this episode, Helen shares tips for a gluten-free lifestyle, favourite family recipes, and her secret to perfect gluten-free bread. Helen also opens up about how her celiac diagnosis transformed her life and offers a peek at what she will be cooking this Christmas. Tune in for all this and much more! 

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.   

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/    

Follow Helen Tzouganatos here https://www.instagram.com/helentzouganatos/ and check out Helen’s recipes here https://helentzouganatos.com/recipes/  

You can purchase Helen’s cookbooks here https://helentzouganatos.com/buy-books/  

Resources mentioned in the interview:   

Caputo Gluten Free Flour https://www.ocado.com/products/caputo-gluten-free-flour  

Loving Gluten Free https://www.lovingglutenfree.com.au/  

Coeliac Australia https://coeliac.org.au/  

In this episode, James sits down with two special guests: Dan Wade, a former chef and founder of the Prept Foundation (previously known as Table Talk Foundation), and Paul Dayman, a Chef Lecturer at Bournemouth and Poole College. Together, they dive into the pressing issues of rising childhood obesity and diabetes, discussing how these can be eased through better food education in schools and greater awareness among the younger generation of how food impacts our mental and physical health.

Through their work with thousands of children, they are helping to reshape the way the next generation understands nutrition, health, and the food they eat. Tune in to hear how Dan and Paul’s initiatives are making a real impact, the challenges they are facing, and why this topic is more relevant than ever.

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.  

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/   

Follow Prept Foundation here https://www.instagram.com/prept.foundation/  and Bournemouth & Poole College here https://www.instagram.com/thebpcollege

Resources mentioned in the interview: 

Prept Foundation https://prept.foundation/

Bournemouth and Poole College https://www.thecollege.co.uk/college/

Jamie Olivier https://www.jamieoliver.com/

Gordon Ramsay https://www.gordonramsay.com/

Adopt A School https://royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk/aboutaas

Royal Academy of Culinary Arts https://royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk/

The Ritz https://www.theritzlondon.com/

In the latest episode, James serves up a delicious conversation with recipe developer, chef and presenter, Julie Lin. Here, Julie shares how a friend entering her into MasterChef changed her life, Julie's first street food stall in Glasgow, how a Malaysian background inspires her cooking, appearing on Netflix’s hit foodie show – Somebody Feed Phil and lots more.  

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.   

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/    

Follow Julie here: https://www.instagram.com/julielincooks/  

Resources mentioned in the interview:   

MasterChef https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t1k5  

Gaga https://www.gagaglasgow.com/  

Somebody Feed Phil https://www.netflix.com/title/80146601  

Dhruv Baker’s podcast episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VSXYTfpQvh3wsTf9Qwg3m?si=126f82487b694b53  

Pre order Julie’s cookbook Sama Sama here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/sama-sama/julie-lin/9781529935370  

In episode two, James is joined by wine expert, Tom Surgey, for a conversation that delves into the rise of sober curiosity and more drinking trends for the future (spoiler, apparently pale rosé is on its way out!). Tom shares tips on what to look for when purchasing wine and champagne from supermarkets, along with top picks for a low and no tipples. This conversation discusses why opting to go for an alcohol-free drink isn’t an inferior experience anymore, thanks to some great brands, and why we are going to see more people opting for low and no drinks.  

Follow www.instagram.com/james_golding_chef/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.   

James’ recipes are available here: www.maplefromcanada.co.uk/benefits-of-maple/ambassadors/james-golding/    

Follow Tom here: https://www.instagram.com/tomsurgey/  

Resources mentioned in the interview:   

The Ivy https://ivycollection.com/menus/  

Table Talk Foundation https://www.tabletalk-foundation.com/  

Plumpton College https://www.plumpton.ac.uk/  

A.A. Badenhorst Curator White Blend: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/a-a-badenhorst-curator-white-blend/433357-756693-756694  

Zeno https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/zeno-alcohol-liberated-white/765544-793974-793975  

Lucky Saint https://luckysaint.co/  

Agua De Madre https://aguademadre.co.uk/  

Momo Kombuca https://momo-kombucha.com/collections/all-products?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-Myf1aaIhwMVr5RQBh2ZQA2OEAAYASAAEgJLOfD_BwE  

Punchy https://www.punchydrinks.com/  

No Madic Sporadic https://nomadicsporadic.odoo.com/  

ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh https://www.itv.com/watch/love-your-weekend-with-alan-titchmarsh/10a0437  

Pre-order Tom’s new book here: https://geni.us/howtodrinkwine