In The Weeds

This episode we arrive in Berlin and drop into conversation with one of the pioneers of the Third Wave coffee movement, CEO and founder of the The Barn Coffee Roasters Ralf Rüller. If you are interested in the speciality coffee world or want to learn more then this episode is for you.

Ralf has grown The Barn into one of the most recognised brands in the speciality coffee world. His simplistic approach to quality and the product is what has made this so successful and we find out where the idea and his love for coffee (and bread) originated from.

We discuss the ongoing discussion around packaging and sustainability and the need for clarity in the conversation. Most importantly we discuss the process and the huge importance of the farmer.

Extensively travelling all over the world sourcing coffee we also learn about Ralf's favourite places outside Berlin and learn his ITW moment in hospitality.

This week I talk to Jonas Anderson and Spaniard Bernabeu as we stop off to check in on Copenhagen. The guys have recently opened PULP bar in the Nørrebro neighbourhood.

After working in the industry for a number of years they have finally realised their dream of opening their own place, only right in the middle of a pandemic! They have some refreshing ideologies of what they want their bar to bring to their guests and the community.

Copenhagen is also often voted the best and happiest cities to live in the world and one of the most forward thinking in food and drink culture. We gather some interesting insight into how it got there and what its like living there now.

This week we are arrive in sunny Barcelona in conversation with a Schmuck to find out the story of Two Schmucks with Moe Aljaff.

A story of independents, shoe string budgets, pop ups, collaborations, triumphing through adversity and ultimately coming out the other side. Putting life back into the historic multicultural Raval neighbourhood that is now called home and also his love of the city.

Famous to documenting many of the trials and tribulations of owning your own bar on social media, he has catapulted his brand to one of the most recognised online and throughout the industry. A really positive insight into how to use social media an be used as a democratising inclusive platform in a modern world.

Moe has lived in many places before residing in Barcelona and we talk about his favourite cultures and travels.

This was recorded back in May 2021 and on a busy street in Barcelona haha.

Throughout this series the focus is all about reaching out and hearing stories from across the globe. As always hospitality, food, cullture and well-being are the focus. Its time to reconnect.

We start this series in Stockholm with the young talented chef Daniel Heffy. A native of Liverpool who moved to Stockholm to work in Frantzén (3 Michelin Star) widely renowned as one of the best restaurants on the planet and now for the esteemed restaurant Adam/Albin.

We talk and learn about the different ways gastronomy integrates into life, family and culture in Sweden and his time in what is one of the most beautiful cities in the world in the kitchen and reconnecting with nature.

With the hospitality industry opening back up it's time to talk about the epidemic of NO SHOWS and put them into the history books.

An horrendous and almost accepted problem for soo long and a real sore spot for the industry. Something has to change and the guest has to be educated to understand the ramifications, here I am adding to the conversation in trying to explain these issues that have a knock on effect for so many.

Post pandemic hospitality must fight back for change (and stay out of the weeds) in some key areas that were crippling the industry and this is right up there at the top!

This week I welcome Josh Kopel to ITW podcast. Josh is originally from Baton Rouge but now calls Los Angeles his home. Josh is an entrepreneur, award winning Michelin rated restaurateur and environmental advocate bringing Southern Hospitality to California.

Josh has managed the hottest Hollywood nightclubs, bars, and ultra-lounges and in 2010 went independent, opening his first concept Five0Four on the Walk of Fame in the heart of Hollywood. Ten years later, and he has created a family of brands ranging from Michelin-rated fine dining to fast casual, all with a central focus on Southern hospitality and Southern cuisine.

Josh had his world turned on its head a year ago, like many, and we hear his story and fight throughout this pandemic to get the message of support out there. Josh has been busy creating content, hosting the Full Comp podcast (in partnership with Yelp) and getting the word of support out there for the industry, as well as realigning some of his core values.

Louise is a herbalist hairdresser and founder of Wilderness Hair. I feel the next few years could be an interesting time for Louise, as more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of a powerful holistic ethos and this is not about standing under a waterfall with some shampoo!

If you go to Louises salon you will herbs growing, pots and pans cooking away, so the integration of raw cooking elements really got me really fascinated in her story and ideologies and how this can be integrated into a society with new found beliefs and this ultimately can start at home.

Louise is also a twin parent and we discuss the challenge of multiples alongside educating ourselves on her story and passion about the earth and its ingredients.

This weeks I go ITW with Oscar Akgul, owner of Lucia Restaurants and Cut and Craft Steakhouses with sites in Harrogate, York and soon to be Leeds.

Originally from Turkey and traveling the world working on some of the finest cruise liners, Oscar settled in York 22 years ago and has never looked back.

After completing a 800k return in their Lucia site in York last February they were then forced to close a month later due to coronavirus but we hear how they have seen great support throughout from the public. 

A self contest workaholic we hear the challenges faced by Oscar and also the expectations he sets himself.

I am joined by BAFTA award winning actress Chanel Cresswell, best known for playing Kelly Jenkins in This is England, as well as roles in popular shows The Bay and Trollied.

We get an insight into Chanel's personal story working in making it as an actress and working with some great characters in her career so far and we discuss how the arts industry has been suffering over the course of the pandemic and how it can bounce back.

Chanel is also a big mental health advocate and we discuss about believing in yourself and the importance of looking out for others and not forgetting of course her favourite places to eat and drink across the globe!

This week I am delighted to be joined by one of Scotlands and the U.Ks most celebrated Michelin star chefs Mr. Tom Kitchin. Tom has held the accolade for 14 years and became the youngest ever chef to be awarded a star at just 29 years old.

Tom has some beautiful venues in and around his beloved hometown Edinburgh and he has cut his teeth with some of the best chefs ever to set foot in a kitchen. We talk about all things hospitality, investing in youth, his love for Scotland and also his close affiliation with Liverpool.

We also learn of an ITW moment that changed Toms career forever. Tails of positivity and determination grace the episode to come out of this difficult period stronger and fighting fit!

*“Scran’’ - for those who do not know is another word for food originating in Scotland and widely used in Liverpool, hence one of Toms venues being fantastically named the “Scran and Scally’’.

**The episode was recorded a few weeks ago the morning after the Michelin stars were announced this year.