Get ready for a festive feast of laughs and foodie insights! In this holiday special, Liam and Carl are joined by special guests Laura (Bite Your Brum) and Chris (The Fat Foodie) to dive into the highs, lows, and hidden gems of Birmingham’s food scene in 2024.

🍴 From standout dishes to must-visit spots like Rabbit, Albatross, Meat Shack, and Tiger Bites Pig, we dish out the details on the year’s top openings and closings. With plenty of cheeky banter and hilarious Christmas greetings, this episode is packed with humour, heartfelt reflections, and insider foodie tips.

🎧 Whether you’re a Birmingham local or a food lover from afar, this episode will leave you hungry for more! Hit play now for a delicious mix of wit, wisdom, and culinary celebration.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your favourite food memories of 2024 in the comments!

00:00 Festive Greetings and Introductions

00:27 Meet the Guests

00:54 Award Talk and Banter

01:10 Christmas Special Setup

02:31 Food and Drink Orders

05:30 TikTok and Social Media Adventures

06:20 Old Man Pubs and Nostalgia

11:55 Openings and Closings in Birmingham

29:42 Top Three Memorable Moments

32:14 Exploring Southern Street Food

33:07 Zumhof: A Unique Experience

35:01 The Wilderness and Other Culinary Adventures

36:32 Memorable Dishes and Dining Experiences

42:19 Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

50:41 Upcoming Food Events and Venues

54:25 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Sponsors

Huge thank you to our sponsors for this episode JQ BID. The Jewellery Quarter is where grit meets glamour, history mingles with the hustle, and a rich tapestry of heritage pulses with modern energy.

Home to over 700 jewellers and indie retailers, it’s a neighbourhood where craft and creativity shine as brightly as the gold in its workshops. But it’s not just about the sparkle — this vibrant corner of Birmingham boasts a thriving food and drink scene and a story steeped in centuries of incredible history.

At the centre of it all is the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID), the unsung hero keeping this remarkable area ticking. From projects that champion local businesses to efforts that protect its historic soul, JQBID works tirelessly to ensure the Quarter remains one of the UK’s most unique and unforgettable destinations for those who visit, work, or call it home.

Website- https://jewelleryquarter.net/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/jq_bid/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/JewelleryQtr/

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A tasty bitesize teaser of our Christmas special which comes out Monday 16th

Join us at UCB restaurant as we delve into the unique training environment for aspiring chefs at University College Birmingham. Our guest, a seasoned chef and head of the culinary arts department, talks about the transition from bustling dinners to a quiet, reflective time suited for maintenance and preparations. Discover how the college's realistic working environments, including training kitchens and a public-facing restaurant, prepare students for the unpredictability of a career in hospitality. Learn about the chef's vibrant journey from Reading to Birmingham, his experiences in the industry, and the importance of both formal training and hands-on learning. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone considering a career in culinary arts, highlighting the significance of industry standards and the essential qualities of future hospitality leaders.

00:00 Welcome to UCB Restaurant

00:15 The Quiet Before the Storm

01:08 Training the Next Generation

01:49 Public Facing Restaurant

02:43 Real-World Learning

04:27 Dealing with Difficult Customers

10:49 The Chef's Journey

14:49 Birmingham's Food Scene

21:02 Formal Training vs. Self-Taught

25:08 Student Success Stories

26:45 Front of House Experience

27:35 Celebrating Bakers

28:37 Hospitality Job Market

29:51 Journey into Teaching

34:37 Advice for Aspiring Chefs

36:08 Common Sense in the Kitchen

41:39 Final Thoughts and Reflections

42:24 Rapid Fire Questions

Find Out More About UCB- https://www.ucb.ac.uk/

Sponsors

Stock Local Craft Rum Burning Barn In Your Venue-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.burningbarnrum.com/pages/trade-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This is a tasty bitesize teaser of our full chat with Birmingham food legend Chef Lewis Walker Head of the College of Food at University College Birmingham

Calling all whisky lovers! In this episode, we sit down with Amy, a corporate pro turned whisky mastermind, who’s now a driving force in Birmingham’s whisky scene. Discover how she turned her passion for whisky into an iconic whisky venue and launched the city’s very first whisky festival!  From rare whiskies to insider secrets on opening a whisky-focused business, this is a must-watch for true enthusiasts and aspiring whisky entrepreneurs alike. Don’t miss Amy’s journey of bringing her love for whisky to life and reshaping Birmingham’s hospitality game. Hit play and dive into the world of whisky!

00:00 Welcome to Breaking Bread Housings

00:18 Exploring the Jewelry Quarter

02:59 Amy's Journey to Birmingham

05:55 Starting the Food and Drink Events Company

08:40 The Birth of Whiskey Birmingham

09:56 Opening the Bar in the Jewelry Quarter

18:53 Creating a Community Bar

20:57 The Fascination with Whiskey

28:31 The Rise of English Whiskey

35:36 Traveling to Islay: A Unique Experience

36:33 The Charm and Challenges of Islay

37:28 Whisky Production on Islay and Other Islands

40:18 Global Whisky Trends and Innovations

50:29 The History and Heritage of Whisky

56:45 Whisky Tasting and Community

01:05:06 Birmingham's Whisky Scene and Evolution

01:07:14 Fun and Personal Insights

Get Social With Amy/Grain & Glass

Website- https://grainandglass.co/

Insta- https://www.instagram.com/grainandglassjq

https://www.instagram.com/amyseton/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/GrainandGlassJQ/

X- https://twitter.com/grainandglassjq

Sponsors

Stock Local Craft Rum Burning Barn In Your Venue-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.burningbarnrum.com/pages/trade-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This is a tasty bitesize teaser for our chat with whiskey expert and whiskey bar and tasting room owner Amy Seton

In this episode, we sit down with renowned Birmingham chef Matt Wilden, who discovered his passion for cooking later in life and transformed it into a successful career. If you're an aspiring chef or thinking it's too late to follow your dream, this conversation will change your perspective. Matt shares his inspiring journey, from mastering wood fire cooking and perfecting pizza to hosting innovative pop-up events and becoming one of Birmingham’s top chefs.

Learn how relentless drive, dedication to learning, and commitment to creativity pushed Matt to the forefront of the culinary scene. Get valuable insights, tips, and advice on navigating a late start in the kitchen and turning your passion into a profession. Whether you're new to the culinary world or looking to advance your skills, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable takeaways!

Key takeaways for aspiring chefs

- How to succeed no matter when you start

- The value of constantly learning and innovating

- Overcoming challenges in the culinary industry

Don’t miss out on Matt Wielden’s incredible story! Watch now and get inspired to take your own culinary career to the next level!

00:00 Introduction and Casual Conversation

00:12 Discussing TV Shows and Chef Life

03:02 Challenges of Takeaway and Lockdown

04:48 Journey to Becoming a Chef

09:22 Experiences in Various Kitchens

15:07 Starting a Pizza Business

21:30 Menu Evolution and Popular Dishes

24:53 Cooking Techniques and Inspirations

28:57 Sunday Dinners and Future Plans

29:43 The Roast Potato Panic

30:20 Perfecting the Roast Dinner

32:20 The Pressure of Cooking

33:52 Exploring Pop-Ups and Mexican Cuisine

40:41 The Art of Pizza Making

44:51 Advice for Aspiring Chefs

48:39 Fun and Favorites

53:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Matt Wilden Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/matt.wilden/

Sponsors

Stock Local Craft Rum Burning Barn In Your Venue-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.burningbarnrum.com/pages/trade-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This is a tasty bitesize teaser for our chat with the awesome & talented Matt Wilden

Get ready for a deep dive into the unstoppable rise of Tom & Scott, the masterminds behind OPM, Birmingham's burger sensation! In this episode of Breaking Bread, we uncover how they went from fashion to food, launching OPM with zero culinary experience. Hear the wild stories of their early street food hustle, the first-ever DDC, and how they took their brand from pop-up to permanent. Plus, we talk about their new venture, Kilder, and what makes their pizza the gnarliest in Brum. Don't miss this inside look at building a food empire!

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:13 Preparing for the Hill Walk

00:43 Nostalgic Moments and Realizations

01:44 Early Life and Career Beginnings

05:06 The Birth of a Food Passion

06:02 First Steps into the Food Business

07:25 Challenges and Early Successes

11:29 Building a Brand and Expanding

13:44 Transition to a Full-Time Venture

15:56 Collaborations and Community

24:27 Opening the Restaurant

40:30 The Quest for Quality Meat

41:10 Expanding to New Farms

42:36 Crafting the Perfect Patty

44:22 The Smash Burger Debate

45:46 Birmingham's Burger Scene

49:07 Experimenting with New Burgers

52:29 Introducing Deep Pan Pizza

57:49 Favorite TV Shows and Movies

01:00:43 Music and Cookbooks

01:05:04 Fast Food Favorites

01:06:27 Top Food Destinations

01:11:23 Concluding Thoughts

Socials

OPM

Website- https://originalpattymen.com/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/originalpattymen

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/OriginalPattyMen

Kilder

Website- https://www.kilderbar.co.uk/

Insta- https://www.instagram.com/kilder_bar

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/KilderBar

Cornershop Pizza- https://www.instagram.com/cornershop_pizza/

Scott Insta- https://www.instagram.com/scott_opm/

Tom Insta- https://www.instagram.com/tom_opm/

Sponsors

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A bitesize appetiser for our awesome chat with Tom & Scott, the people behind award-winning burger sensation Original Patty Men