My fantastic guest this week is Lee Hollington, Head Chef at B:eats in Symphony Hall, Birmingham. We talked all things food and had a laugh along the way. Lee’s famous Brummie Bacon Cake was featured on the BBC 1 Hairy Bikers TV programme (Christmas edition) and were inspired by his loving Grandad who was a chef in the army. Lee’s grandad made him want to be a chef, with stories of cooking for and feeding the troops, which entertained Lee when he was a kid. We also talk about his famous pot noodle sandwich and a fajita eating date, haha! Given all the good stuff I’d heard about the Brummie Bacon Cake, me and a friend had to try it! Listen to our review. I also talk deep fried toothpicks! Yes, you read that right, deep fried toothpicks! Apparently they’re a trend in South Korea. People are eating them with seasoning, of course (sigh). Tik Tok craze. I know! Anyway, forget that and get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.

This week my brilliant guest is Tony Elvin, General Manager of Touchwood in Solihull, West Midlands and The Wine Events Company. Tony tells us how his hospitality journey began. And how his chatty nature at school, where he says he drove the teachers mad, was a good sign that he was a people person! So a career in hospitality made perfect sense. He also talks about food and dates, food memories, and his weird food combo of a lasagne sandwich with secret sauce aka salad cream, ha! It was a real pleasure talking to Tony. A nice chatty guy who clearly loves what he does! In this episode I talk about New Year Resolutions (kinda). And... food trends for 2024! What will we be eating this year? I’m gonna stick my neck out here and say....Food - haha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.

It’s a festive Christmas and New Year edition this week! I cover a Christmas lunchclub, the Christmas sandwich from M&S, and a starter from a dinner I went out for during the Christmas period which was absolutely sensational! Also, there’s a quick 2024 Happy New Year message for ya’ll. Keep listening in the year ahead for more great guests, topics and feel-good food joy.

My guest this week is the brilliant Kieron Bailey! He’s co-owner of Otolo - who develop, support & retain the hospitality workforce! Kieron’s also a host, speaker and all round positive good energy guy! We talk about how he got into food and drink. What motivates him in his work, childhood memories...one word for you eggs. Haha! And how his late mom’s warm-hearted people skills helped him and his career. In this episode I chat about the Disney film Ratatouille. And talk about food waste and Master Chef: The Professionals. I also, made my first visit to Midlands Hospitality Network last month. Enjoyed it! It’s run by Conrad Brunton (a former Menu podcast guests). I’ll be there next year too, they’ve got some great speakers lined up!

Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.

This week my brilliant guest is Chef Darren! Yes, that’s what he calls himself and so do I, ha! His full name and title it’s Darren Liew, a Culinary Director, who is a chef Blue Jasmine - South East Asian Fine Dining. We have a good natter about Darren’s Malaysian back and upbringing. Find out who inspired him to get into cooking, what his food memories are, and his mission to spread the word a tastes of South East Asian food across the world! Oooh, I can taste this food as I type. Then I head to Mexico, kinda, as I talk about Eva Longoria’s food and travel programme Searching for Mexico. Definitely worth a watch on a Sunday evening! I also talk about AI, dating and food. Would you let an AI dating app write your responses and food conversations to a would-be date? I certainly wouldn’t! My people, I have specific food-related questions. That need answers. I know you understand this about me. Ha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.

My guest this week is the superb Jem Scragg, a personal trainer who incorporates food, nutrition, performance and wellness. He works with clients who are supa dupa busy and want to keep themselves fit, healthy and keep to their goals. Jem’s company Nirvu, is all you need if your busy as hell and want top tier training with a holistic approach. Also on the podcast, I get myself on 1xtra. Telling my food dating story of prawn theft from my plate! Listen to me get very animated, yes more than usual, and spill the beans on a first date that didn’t make it to a second one, ha! Also, late to the party I know, but I watched the Disney film Soul. Apart from it being completely brilliant, there was a section where food - pizza infact - was smelt and tasted for the very time! It was a brilliant piece of the film. So much so I did a section in the podcast about it: had to be done! If you’ve seen the film and loved that part too, drop me a message on social media - CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean X, and CravenK on Instagram - share your joy! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.

My guest this week is the brilliant Franciane Tartari. The Queen of the Sugar Embassy and a Sweet Diplomat too, haha! This means nothing to you, but she’ll get it. Franciane tells us all about how she became a pastry chef, and what led her to get into that area of food. We also get into her childhood food memories and her obsession with condensed milk! She also reveals her weird food cravings. I was like, what? Really Franciane? Like, seriously! Ha! Have a listen to her weird combinations. I had good fun and plenty of laughs with Franciane - she’s a good sport. Also, I give my review of the tv programme Boiling Point. Are you watching that? I love it! Watched it all on iplayer already! Great series - listen to what I have to say about it. Annnnd, I get my scallop on! Yum! You just can’t beat a scallop from a good chippy. Listen to my scallop eating delight as I feast on one. If you love a scallop too, drop me a message on social media - CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean ‘X’ (eye roll). And I’m CravenK on Instagram. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.

This week my superb guest is wellness and nutrition guru, Andy Aston! Andy does his magic at Baxtery Storey, and is full of passion about food as fuel and plant based goodness! We talk about his career journey as a chef and food wellness wonder, as well as his gorgeous food memories with his mom and the food he loved to eat when he was growing up. It’s lovely to hear how fondly he remembers his mom who passed away, and the love he felt from her food. Beautiful. I go on to talk about my quirky ways where I pimp up food. Come on, we all do it. Don’t we? I also have a chat about a pet peeve of mine when I go to restaurants. We do not like a mucky menus round here - no we don’t! Haha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.

My guest this week is the brilliant Aidan Schwarzer, a fine wine specialist at Tanners Wines. We talk about how he got into the wine business. Why he loves what he does (hello Tanners Wine Tasting Tuesdays, ha!), his career, and of course his food family memories. Pay attention to the Gremlins film reference, it’s so weird, haha, but I was following it and got what he meant. A great guy and good to interview. Also! He also gave me a bottle of wine when we met. Loved that! Future guests take note (wink). And he’s a talented guy - an artist - he did a portrait of me! I’ve put it on my social media. Go see it at CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean ‘X’ (eye roll). Or on Instagram at CravenK.

Also on the show, I make my maiden voyage to Cornwall this summer. I know! Can't believe it's taken me so long to get there either! Me and my friend Laura eat the best of Cornwall during my weekend stay. It was brilliant! Laura's a great tour guide too. Food! Gotta love it!

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This week I talk to you about the superb Birmingham Restaurant Festival, which came to an end on August 27th. The fantastic super-dupa foodie drama The Bear, and my visit to Lichfield Food Festival for the first time in my life! It's only up the road from me: shocking. Ha! First up, it’s my round-up of the Birmingham Restaurant Festival. This summer (if you can call ut that!). Me and my girls headed to the Mailbox, Birmingham, to get our food on in Cote restaurant. Then I take you through the food adventure me and my friend Meena had at Issac’s, which was also part of the Birmingham Restaurant Festival. We really enjoyed our dining experience their, the chef, Alexandra the Manager, the environment - it was all great! Finally, hear my verdict on Lichfield Food Festival. Not too shabby. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast.