HUNGRY.

Welcome to the chaotic, beautiful, and brutally honest world of Ravneet Gill. In this episode, the acclaimed chef and Junior Bake Off judge peels back the curtain on the grueling realities of hospitality. Ravneet opens up about the messy middle of launching her hit London restaurant, Gina, navigating the dual guilt of motherhood and entrepreneurship, and learning to let go of perfectionism. She also shares hilarious anecdotes about accidentally convincing the internet David Blaine was moving into her restaurant and reflects on how getting fired from her dream job paved the way for her ultimate success. ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟 ============================================== A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible: ​ ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk) 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) This episode was edited by: G.Thomas Craig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomascraig/) 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

Full episode here! 👉🏻 https://youtu.be/cVG8TqtxJQEAfter 20 years running The Hand & Flowers and 35 years in kitchens, Tom Kerridge says something most chefs won’t: restaurants don’t make money anymore.In this clip, Kerridge breaks down why margins have been wiped out, why being “busy” means nothing, and why opening a restaurant today can actually be the worst financial decision you make. It’s a brutally honest look at hospitality — from pricing, staffing and VAT, to the hard leadership calls that come with ownership.This isn’t about food. It’s about business reality, risk, and the uncomfortable decisions that keep companies alive.===============📱 ON THE MENU===============🍽️ Why packed restaurants still lose money📉 How margins in hospitality were quietly eradicated🤔 Why opening a restaurant now makes less sense than ever⚖️ Separating emotion from business decisions🚪 Closing sites, letting people go, and radical transparency🧠 The shift from reactive chef to strategic operator🔥 Why Kerridge thrives on risk — but hates being a passenger🧩 What COVID taught him about control and problem-solving🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

Dan Pope sits down with Jack Rubin, co-founder and CEO of Purdy & Figg — a cleaning brand that somehow turned selling countertop spray into one of the fastest-growing consumer businesses in the UK.Jack explains how a company that started with almost no marketing orthodoxy managed to rocket toward £100M scale by focusing on something surprisingly unglamorous: customer acquisition, ruthless simplicity, and relentless testing. Thousands of creatives, endless A/B tests, and years of building a loyal customer base all culminated in moments where a single campaign could generate a million pounds in a day.Along the way, Jack reveals why he barely thinks about “brand” in the way most marketers obsess over it, and why instincts, judgment, and rational thinking matter more than frameworks. That’s where the conversation drifts into bigger territory — from Sun Tzu-style strategic thinking to Jeff Bezos and the idea that great founders make unusually good decisions under uncertainty.But this isn’t a polished startup fairy tale. Jack also talks about the chaos behind hyper-growth: demand planning nightmares, operational fires, factories on the brink, and the uncomfortable truth that scaling a physical product business is mostly logistics, not glamour.The result is a conversation about business that feels more like philosophy — why simplicity wins, why complexity kills companies, and how a seemingly boring product can become a £100M brand. ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟 ============================================== A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible: ​ ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk) 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) This episode was edited by: G.Thomas Craig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomascraig/) 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

Ever wondered what it takes to build a £10M restaurant empire? Chef Adam Handling joins Dan Pope to unpack the brutal realities of building a £10M restaurant empire. From nearly losing his parents' house during COVID-19 to making £148,000 on Valentine's Day via home deliveries, Adam's journey is a masterclass in resilience. We dive deep into his Chanel vs. Hermes philosophy on brand building, why his team researches guests online for the ultimate dining experience, and his bold mission to redefine British cuisine. If you want to know what it really takes to chase two Michelin stars while dodging every missile on planet earth, this is a must-listen.#AdamHandling #Hospitality #BusinessGrowth #DanPopeON THE MENU:00:00 Intro01:05 Surviving the Restaurant Business03:16 The Cayman Islands Restaurant Disaster10:16 How COVID Almost Destroyed Everything15:02 Risking His Parents' House to Survive17:59 The Power of Positive Leadership25:00 Turning Down £100k to Protect the Brand27:14 From Rebellious Kid to Gleneagles Chef34:36 Building an Unbreakable Core Team43:00 Brand Identity: Frog & Ugly Butterfly55:14 The Secret to Ultimate Guest Experience01:10:02 Making £10M & Reinvesting Profits01:17:21 Launching a Secret Caviar Brand01:19:33 Chasing Two Michelin Stars01:24:31 Inside Adam's Intense Daily Routine01:31:13 Personal Struggles & Cancel Culture01:38:03 Redefining British Cuisine02:14:37 Dealing with Haters & Misconceptions ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟 ============================================== A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible: ​ ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk) 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) This episode was edited by: G.Thomas Craig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomascraig/) 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

Former professional footballer Hal Robson-Kanu discusses how adversity shaped both his football career and his business philosophy. Reflecting on being released by Arsenal F.C. at 15 and suffering serious ACL injuries, he explains that real resilience comes not from eliminating doubt but learning to live with uncertainty and continue acting despite it. He argues adversity is essential for development, because only through facing difficulty do people discover their capacity to persevere.Robson-Kanu connects these lessons to entrepreneurship with The Turmeric Co.. The company’s “north star,” he says, is creating genuine “life transformations” through clinically backed products rather than typical consumer brands that prioritize marketing over product efficacy.He also reflects on elite sport, emphasizing that high performance is less about motivational speeches and more about obsessive attention to fundamentals—training routines, discipline, and preparation over long periods. Success, whether in football or business, comes from consistent intent, clear direction, and aligning the energy of a team toward a shared objective.Ultimately, his core belief is that “all is mind”: mindset shapes performance, opportunity, and outcomes in sport, business, and life. ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟 ============================================== A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible: ​ ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk) 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) This episode was edited by: G.Thomas Craig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomascraig/) 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

Ivan Orkin is one of the most unlikely success stories in the world of food.A Jewish kid from New York moves to Tokyo, opens a tiny ramen shop in the suburbs, and somehow ends up becoming one of the most respected ramen chefs in Japan — a country famously protective of its culinary traditions.In this conversation, Dan sits down with the founder of Ivan Ramen to unpack how that happened.Ivan talks about teaching himself ramen, opening his first shop in Japan with barely any money, and the moment a single influential ramen critic changed the trajectory of his business overnight. He explains why ramen is one of the most creative foods in Japanese cuisine, why “authentic” is often the wrong word to use, and how breaking rules is sometimes the only way to find your voice.Along the way they dive into the realities of running restaurants across different cities — from Tokyo to New York to Las Vegas — the difference between destination dining and foot-traffic restaurants, and the constant tension between creativity and the brutal economics of hospitality.It’s a conversation about stubbornness, identity, and what it really takes to build something original in a culture that isn’t your own.ON THE MENU:00:00:00 Intro00:02:08 Japanese Literature and Murakami00:04:23 Why Ivan Studied Japanese at University00:11:05 The Genesis of Ivan Ramen - $60k to get started00:12:26 Foreigner in Japan’s Ramen Scene00:14:02 Fixing the Hospitality Problem in Ramen Shops (Lessons form Lutece)00:25:33 What makes a good Ramen?00:36:12 Taking Advantage of the Gaijin Card00:40:05 How Tokyo Became an International Food City00:40:12 Pizza & Wine - Tokyo Rivals the Best of the World00:41:11 Ivan’s Favorite NYC Pizza Spots00:44:06 Why the Pizza Scene Exploded in New York00:47:50 Why Ivan Doesn’t Fear Recipe Copying00:51:02 Ray Kroc and No-Nonsense Business Advice01:01:52 How the USA is Killing its Small Businesses01:06:08 What Most Restaurant Business Plans Miss01:07:08 Why "Authentic" is a Terrible Word01:07:52 The Moment Ivan Decided He Could Go For It01:12:21 The Best Sandwiches in NYC01:15:47 Ivan on London’s Food Scene01:17:16 Ivan on British Tea (PG Tips vs Fancy Tea) ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟 ============================================== A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible: ​ ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk) 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) This episode was edited by: G.Thomas Craig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomascraig/) 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

*updated version* A masterclass in the nuts and bolts of running a world-class restaurant.In this episode, Dan sits down with one of Britain’s most uncompromising chefs to talk about building a two-Michelin-star restaurant in the least glamorous location imaginable — a strange little oasis tucked under a Nottingham flyover, surrounded by graffiti, traffic, and the occasional burning car.But that’s exactly the point.Sat explains why great restaurants aren’t just about food — they’re about theatre, emotion, risk, and creating something so memorable that people will travel across the world to experience it. From the philosophy behind Restaurant Sat Bains to the psychology of hospitality, the conversation dives into why authenticity beats polish, why imperfection can be powerful, and why chasing Michelin stars is often the least interesting part of running a restaurant.Along the way they explore Sat’s unconventional ideas — like the now-famous “Sat’s Gamble” wine lottery — the realities of attracting true traveling food lovers, and what it actually takes to build a restaurant that people obsess over.This is a conversation about vision, stubbornness, and why sometimes the best restaurants in the world are built in the most unlikely places.*If you noticed any issues with ads playing under the audio of this episode, please refresh the feed and re-download the episode to fix. Thank you for listening!00:00 Gastronomic Narnia00:03:30 Your Restaurant is a Breathing Organism00:05:50 The Secret Behind the Perfect Dish00:9:26 Secret Scallop Techniques and What 30yrs in Kitchens Teaches You00:14:30 The REAL difference w/ Sat Bains and Other Michelin Restaurants00:17:45 How to Mix Complacency, Naivety, and Relentless Drive00:19:35 More on Sat Bains' Scallop Technique 00:21:30 How Sat Bains Treats His Staff00:22:42 Acidity Explored00:24:45 Why Makes Sat Different? (Mentoring New Chefs)00:31:50 Cooking vs Actually Running a Restaurant00:33:45 You've Got to Allow Your Guests to Spend Money00:35:30 The Marketing Genius Behind Sat Bains' Menu Structure00:47:00 Why Freedom Beats Mentors in Creativity00:57:00 Your Restaurant is NOT a Dentist Office01:00:00 Lessons From Growing Up in a Shop01:04:00 Creativity Means Nothing Without Business01:14:00 The £50 Two-Michelin-Star Breakfast Idea01:26:00 The Little Things Matter (How to Match Customer Expectations)01:35:30 Staring Death in the Eye (Sat's Heart Attack) 01:39:00 Why Honesty Beats Perfect Social Media01:40:00 Sat’s Gamble Wine Lottery Explained01:58:05 Sat Gets Kicked Out of the House at 18yrs old 02:02:00 Turning Art Into Michelin-Star Dishes02:17:00 How Creative Ideas Become Real Plates02:25:31 The Biggest Mistake Chefs Make ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟 ============================================== A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible: ​ ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk) 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

From bricks through the window in 1960s Skelmersdale to queues around the block in Liverpool, this is a story of immigrant hunger, insecurity, obsession with standards — and building something that blesses a city. Dan sits down with Nisha Katona — founder of Mowgli Street Food — the woman who turned authentic Indian home cooking into the first national Indian street food chain in Britain. Nisha breaks down why Mowgli was never meant to be a “curry house,” why Hindu home cooking avoids garlic and onion at lunch, and how sitting outside Greggs watching men in high-vis jackets shaped her pricing strategy.We talk about scale, magic, heart, delivery, Empire, authenticity, Nando’s, Greggs, and why growth should never be something you’re ashamed of.This is a masterclass in building a restaurant brand with soul — and keeping that soul intact across 27 sites.If you care about food, cities, entrepreneurship, culture — or how to turn anxiety into momentum — this one’s special.ON THE MENU:00:00 Intro00:54 Is Nisha a Workaholic?02:54 Does Scale Kill Magic in Restaurants?03:13 Treating Every Restaurant Like Your Child04:26 Why She Decorated Mowgli to Fail07:29 The First National Indian Street Food Chain08:44 Curry House vs Authentic Indian Home Cooking11:54 The Four Pillars of Building a Restaurant Brand25:47 Researching Demand Before Opening a Restaurant26:33 Pricing for Men in High-Vis Jackets27:14 Chicken Tikka Masala & Britain’s National Dish32:27 Why Mowgli Finally Launched Delivery35:28 Temple Daal: Authentic Indian Home Food41:40 Why Scale Doesn’t Kill Magic43:18 Why She Backed Uber Eats in the North44:46 Why Restaurant & Delivery Can Coexist45:51 Restaurants Are Like Cinema for Your Tastebuds59:45 Immigrant Parents, £2 in Their Pocket01:00:50 Growing Up With Racism in 1960s Britain01:27:00 Why She Refuses to Overbuild01:30:48 The £35k vs £285k London Rent Decision 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

This week on Hungry, the founders behind SULT — the electrolyte brand turning “unhinged luxury” into a cultural movement.From building a status-driven brand that people actually want to post on Instagram, to rewriting the rules of marketing in the age of TikTok and YouTube, this is a masterclass in modern brand-building.We get into why unpredictability creates obsession, why most brands overcomplicate business, and how SULT uses storytelling, sex appeal, humor, and world-building to stand out in a saturated wellness market.We talk Better & Wetter campaigns, Margot Robbie-style bath content, Hailey Bieber’s Rhode, Vivienne Westwood fashion shows, F1 boxes, Michelin-star storytelling hooks — and why the first three seconds of your content might be everything.If you’re building a brand, running a food or drink business, or trying to crack YouTube, this episode is packed with practical insight and uncomfortable truths.This isn’t just about electrolytes.It’s about status, culture, identity — and making something people feel part of.===========ON THE MENU===========The Wellness Culture BacklashMaking Electrolytes SexyConsistency vs Quality on SocialSocial Media Is Your CVWhat Is “Unhinged Luxury”?Unpredictability Creates ObsessionThe £15K Acoustics LessonThe Iceberg of Content CreationWhy We Can’t Crack YouTubeFrom Empty Restaurant to Michelin HookThe Hardest Thing: Having a Point of ViewWhy Status Beats Shelf SpaceDo You Fit at Vivienne Westwood or F1?Why Rhode (Hailey Bieber) WinsBusiness Is Just X to YMake Brands Simple AgainThe 3-Second Attention EconomyIgnore Traditional Marketing Rules00:00 Intro00:01 Milly’s Eating Disorder & Recovery00:05 Toxic Wellness & Running Culture00:09 SULT’s "Not That Deep" Philosophy00:14 Netflix-ification of Brand Building00:19 Ignoring Experts & Taking Risks00:24 "Unhinged Luxury" & Storytelling00:30 Scaling in Public vs Building in Public00:34 The Whiteboard Content Strategy00:42 How to Write Viral Hooks00:46 Organic Growth vs Paid Ads00:56 The Brooklyn Beckham Story01:00 Choosing Brand Colors & Standing Out01:06 Why They Ignore Business Advice01:08 The Power of Anti-Selling01:13 Building a Tribe & Status01:15 Learning from Rhode & Anti-Trends01:17 Dealing with Copycats01:20 Embracing Chaos in Business01:22 Co-Founder Dynamics & Conflict01:28 The Simon Squibb Story01:33 Simplifying Business & Branding01:37 How the Co-Founders Met01:39 Why Launch an Electrolyte Brand?01:45 The 4 Pillars of Marketing01:53 Launching in Boots & Retail Strategy01:58 Financial Transparency & Investors 🔥10x creativity beats 10x budget. Want a life changing HUNGRY Creative Workshop for your team? DM brother

Most companies bet everything on one big launch.Doug Lamont thinks that’s how you kill growth.In this clip, the former CEO of Tony's Chocolonely and Innocent Drinks breaks down a radically different way to scale — one built on rolling innovation, layered bets, and removing fear from failure.Instead of over-researching, over-launching, and over-spending, Doug explains why the smartest brands:- test cheaply- back winners late- kill losers fastand never rely on a single “big idea” to carry the businessFrom product launches to international expansion, this is a masterclass in how real growth actually happens — especially from £100m → £500m+.===============📱 ON THE MENU===============🎯 Why “the one big thing” strategy usually fails🔥 Rolling innovation vs over-researched launches🧠 Removing fear from failure inside big organisations📦 Why marketing can’t save products that don’t sell🌍 How country expansion really works (3–5 year bets)💰 When to actually turn on the marketing spend⚖️ Small and medium bets vs betting the house🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

"Brand is the intangible layer that sits atop any business... and floods it with color and emotion." Tobey Duncan, CSO of Uncommon Creative Studio, joins Dan Pope to dismantle the fluff surrounding modern marketing. They explore "Purpose 2.0," why brands need enemies, and how to turn consumer tension into cultural fame. From the genius of Bold Bean Co to the audacity of Oasis, this episode is a masterclass in building brands that actually matter.00:00:00 Intro00:01:04 Why Creativity Requires Dissatisfaction00:02:40 London vs. Sydney: Creative Differences00:06:10 Defining Brand Strategy & The "Intangible Layer"00:10:06 Why Brands Must Claim a Role in Culture00:11:48 The Evolution of Brand Purpose (Purpose 2.0)00:15:05 Fixing Consumer Problems vs. Fixing Brands00:19:32 Case Study: Bold Bean Co's Brand Strategy00:28:02 Strategy vs. Tactics: How They Work Together00:33:19 Case Study: The Ordinary & Skincare "Guff"00:42:43 B&Q Case Study: From Chores to Change00:47:38 The Power of Finding Consumer Tension00:51:44 British Airways: Exporting Originality00:53:15 Why London is a Creative Powerhouse01:03:09 What Brands Can Learn From Bands (Oasis)01:06:25 Rational, Emotional, and Fame-Based Comms01:09:20 PerfectTed & Leveraging Cultural Heat01:12:44 Why You Should Set Strategy Once & Not Pivot01:26:17 The Brand OS Framework: 5 Key Inquiries01:32:04 Guinness: Breaking Category Codes01:44:07 Marketing Planning: The "Jobs to Be Done" Framework01:55:24 The Crisis in Modern Brand Building 🔥10x creativity beats 10x budget. Want a life changing HUNGRY Creative Workshop for your team? DM brother

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

This week we have a throwback to an incredible convo with the co-founder of TRIP, Olivia Ferdi.It’s what every wonderful guest on the poddy teaches me.TRIP ripped up the rule book.Definition of outlier.TRIP is for everyone and anyone, anywhere, anytime and everywhere.TRIP is a coffee replacement. Booze replacement. Cocktail mixer. Meal Deal enhancer. Grab & Go.All charged with a beautiful mission: Be Kind to your Mind.Won listings at Co-op Sainsbury's, Waitrose & Partners, @Annabel’s, Soho House & CoON THE MENU:1. Why your brand must be chameleon to be a truly omni-channel brand – lessons from Annabel’s, Mayfair and Co-Op.2. Why your brand should act as a PROMPT to unlock an emotion in people – TRIP own “Be Kind to Your Mind”3. How TRIP won a Bill’s listing in 4 weeks – when one door shuts, open a window. Be fluid.4. How to repurpose your brand and shelf space to unlock more occasions = more consumption = more £ wonga.5. How TRIP raised £10 million quid – do you really need presentation a deck?6. Why founders must actually seek and embrace stress it’s a gateway forward.Every top food and drink founder reads our Newsletter - why wouldn't you? https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/Watch the full shabang on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@HungryFMCG/videosLet’s link up on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/Stalk me on Insta- https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/ This episode originally aired in June, 2023. 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

Jon Walsh pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale a challenger FMCG brand without drinking your own Kool-Aid. From tying purpose to exit strategy, to why profit is a prerequisite (not a betrayal), to the tiny commercial decisions that quietly unlock big growth, this is a grounded, no-nonsense breakdown of taking Bio&Me from £2m to £20m. Heavy on real-world trade-offs, buyer reality, margins, packaging, people, and founder intensity — light on startup theatre. A sharp, practical listen for anyone trying to build something durable. =============== 🍽️ ON THE MENU ===============🎯 Why purpose and exit strategy aren’t opposites💰 How building for valuation actually sharpens purpose🧬 Turning gut health science into a real brand advantage📈 Scaling from £2m to £20m without losing the plot👥 Letting go of knowing everything — and why that’s progress🤝 Delegation, trust, and building a team that outgrows the founder📊 Why sustainable profit matters more than growth theatre⚖️ The delicate dance between growth and EBITDA🏭 Co-manufacturers: the hidden risk-takers founders forget🔍 Finding margin through nuance, not hacks📉 Promotions, pricing, shrinkflation, and honest trade-offs🛒 Why proximity to purchase beats flashy brand spend🧠 Innovating close to the core — and when to break the rule🥣 Going cross-category without killing valuation🧪 Science + taste: why health food must still be delicious🏬 How retailers really think about challenger brands🧑‍💼 Buyers, rangers, merchandisers — who actually holds power📦 Packaging as your most important marketing asset📐 The big rocks vs the pebbles of scaling a brand💥 The hardest decisions founders avoid: people and partners😬 Breaking up with early suppliers as you scale🕰️ The intensity myth: what “hard work” really looks like🚫 Why work–life balance is mostly bullshit at £20m❌ The biggest mistakes made on the way up🧭 What didn’t change from £2m to £20m — and why that matters🛍️ Why retailers aren’t the enemy (and never were)🔮 How thinking about exit quietly shapes every decision todayWhether you’re building an FMCG brand, advising founders, or navigating the jump from scrappy startup to serious scale, this episode is a masterclass in commercial realism, leadership maturity, and doing the unglamorous work that actually compounds.==============================================TIMESTAMPS00:00:00 Why Purpose and Valuation Reinforce Each Other00:01:43 What Bio&Me Actually Is (and Why It Exists)00:02:28 Gut Health as a Real Commercial Advantage00:03:18 From £2m to £20m: Understanding Run Rate00:04:40 Letting Go of Knowing Everything00:05:20 Delegation, Trust, and Growing a Leadership Team00:06:46 Why Profit Is Non-Negotiable00:07:25 The Delicate Dance Between Growth and EBITDA00:07:54 Funding Losses by Selling Equity00:08:18 Moving Into Profit — and Team Buy-In00:09:16 How Bio&Me Actually Became Profitable00:10:19 Co-Manufacturers Take the Biggest Early Risks00:11:25 Promotions, Pricing, and Margin Finesse00:12:33 Shrinkflation, Transparency, and Consumer Trust00:13:59 Honest Marketing Beats Clever Marketing00:15:18 Relentless Cost Discipline as You Scale00:16:47 Team Size Myths and the Shoreditch Trap00:18:10 The Hires That Really Moved the Needle00:19:11 Innovate Close to the Core00:20:22 When (and Why) to Go Cross-Category00:21:24 Gut Health Science: Fibre vs Fermentation00:22:52 Purpose as a Filter for Expansion00:24:03 How to Be Meaningfully Better Than Competitors00:26:17 The Reality of Managing Multiple Categories00:27:12 Why This Is a Golden Age for Challenger Brands00:29:10 Coopetition and Founder Generosity00:31:03 The Three Big Growth Levers to £20m00:32:29 Proximity to Purchase Beats Brand Hype00:33:20 In-Store Marketing That Actually Works00:34:29 Building vs Maintaining a Brand00:36:40 Understanding Buyers, Ranging, and Power00:38:51 Packaging as Your Best Marketing Asset00:40:30 The Hardest Decisions Are About People00:41:27 Breaking Up With Early Partners00:43:17 Why Scaling Is Intensely Hard00:44:10 The Work-Life Balance Myth00:45:42 Competition as Fuel00:47:34 Buyer Needs vs Consumer Needs00:49:16 The Biggest Mistakes on the Way Up00:50:33 Under-Investing in Marketing00:51:32 Waiting Too Long to Hire00:52:42 What Changed — and What Didn’t — at £20m00:54:00 Why Retailers Aren’t the Enemy00:55:42 How Exit Thinking Shapes Decisions Today 🔥10x creativity beats 10x budget. Want a life changing HUNGRY Creative Workshop for your team? DM brother ==============================================🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvelous Sponsors🌟=============================================💷💶💵For more on MIMO payments, financing & cash flow visit 👉 mimoHQ.com

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

In this brutally honest conversation, Tom Kerridge joins Dan Pope to unpack what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in modern hospitality. From building The Hand and Flowers into a two-Michelin-star pub, to closing businesses post-Covid, navigating razor-thin margins, and separating ego from decision-making, Kerridge offers a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and realism.Plus they explore why restaurants are “pirate ships” full of misfits and intensity, why front of house matters as much as food, and why most chefs overestimate their own importance. Kerridge opens up about addiction, ADHD, chaos versus control, and replacing alcohol with obsessive focus—first swimming, then lifting, then business... what an unbelievably candid conversation with one of England's hospitality legends. But, this isn’t a romanticised chef story. It’s a clear-eyed look at pressure, responsibility, fear, and why hospitality only works when passion is matched with brutal commercial discipline.📺Check out the video on Youtube :yt: for an even Hungrier experience=============== 🍽️ ON THE MENU ===============🔥 Why hospitality is one of the hardest businesses on earth💸 The brutal economics behind why restaurants barely make money🚪 Why opening a restaurant “makes no sense” on paper🧭 Tom Kerridge’s non-negotiable business principles🦠 Why Covid sharpened—not softened—decision-making🧠 The difference between thinking like a chef vs a restaurateur🔄 When to kill ideas, pivot concepts, and move on fast🤝 Lessons learned from working with Gary Neville🏋️ Talent vs relentless work ethic in elite kitchens⭐ What Michelin stars really change (and what they don’t)🏴‍☠️ Why kitchens are “pirate ships” by design🛎️ How front of house quietly makes or breaks restaurants💥 The tiny irritants that destroy great hospitality👫 Building businesses with partners—and surviving it⚡ ADHD, chaos, control, and creative intensity🍺 Replacing addiction with obsession👨‍👦 What success actually means as a parent🏉 Why rugby explains kitchens better than business books📱 The invisible chef WhatsApp networks🏆 What separates a three-star human from everyone else📺 Navigating TV without becoming a caricature🏅 How Kerridge won Great British Menu💣 The one truth chefs hate hearingWhether you’re a founder, operator, chef, or creative leader, this episode is a no-nonsense masterclass in pressure, responsibility, and building something that actually lasts.==============================================On The Menu: 00:00:00 The Hospitality Industry Is a Monster 00:03:45 Why Restaurants Barely Make Money 00:04:45 Why Opening a Restaurant Makes No Sense 00:07:00 Tom Kerridge Business Principles 00:08:35 Radical Transparency With Staff 00:12:15 If It Was Easy Everyone Would Do It 00:13:25 Why Kerridge Loved Covid Problem-Solving 00:15:05 Chef vs Restaurateur Thinking 00:16:45 When Concepts Fail and Must Change 00:18:20 Lessons From Working With Gary Neville 00:22:40 Talent vs Relentless Hard Work 00:29:50 Putting Personality on the Plate 00:30:55 One Star vs Two vs Three Michelin 00:34:45 Kitchens Are Pirate Ships 00:36:20 Making Michelin Feel Safe 00:38:20 The Coach’s Ridiculous Burger Explained 00:41:45 Silent Irritants That Ruin Restaurants 00:42:30 Front of House Creates the Experience 00:48:15 Building a Business With Your Partner 00:52:55 ADHD, Chaos, and Control 00:55:35 Replacing Alcohol With Obsession 01:03:00 What He Wants His Son to Learn 01:06:45 Rugby, Kitchens, and Team Roles 01:08:35 The Chef WhatsApp Inner Circle 01:14:45 What Makes a Three-Star Human 01:15:45 Navigating TV and Media Without Becoming a Caricature 01:20:35 How Kerridge Won Great British Menu 01:24:45 The One Truth Chefs Hate Hearing 🔥10x creativity beats 10x budget. Want a life changing HUNGRY Creative Workshop for your team? DM brother =============================================🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvelous Sponsors🌟============================================= 😱Got empty tables? EatClub connects your restaurant with diners in real time, turning quiet hours into profit. Contact us: [email protected]

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

Most companies talk about strategy as if it’s a spreadsheet problem. At Tony’s Chocolonely, strategy is about choosing which risks you’re willing to live with — permanently. In this conversation, Doug from Tony’s Chocolonely breaks down how real strategic decisions get made when the stakes are high, the information is incomplete, and playing it safe isn’t an option. This isn’t theory. It’s what happens when your strategy has real consequences — for margins, growth, and an entire global supply chain. =============== 🍫 ON THE MENU =============== 🎲 Why business strategy is closer to poker than chess ⚖️ How Tony’s decides which risks to carry — and which to refuse 🚫 Why “sensible” decisions often lead to weak strategy 📉 What most companies lose when they optimise for safety 🌍 Making strategic bets at global food scale 🧠 Leadership decisions you only face when the stakes are real Whether you’re a founder, marketer, operator, or senior decision-maker, this is a masterclass in how to think about risk, trade-offs, and long-term bets — without hiding behind frameworks. ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) 🔥10x creativity beats 10x budget. Want a life changing HUNGRY Creative Workshop for your team? DM brother ==============================================🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvelous Sponsors🌟=============================================💷💶💵For more on MIMO payments, financing & cash flow visit 👉 mimoHQ.com

What the monk?! Saiphin Moore, the visionary founder of Rosa's Thai Cafe, recounts how her ex-husband once invited a Buddhist monk to convince her to sell the burgeoning business. This extraordinary anecdote perfectly encapsulates Saiphin's journey, which began in a remote Thai mountain village where she lived without electricity until age 15, learning to cook on charcoal from seven and even raising a pet pig for income. Her leap to Hong Kong as a nanny, where she encountered hoovers and rice cookers for the first time and learned English from a single piece of paper, set the stage for her entrepreneurial spirit. Saiphin’s philosophy blends Buddhist principles of calm, acceptance, and forgiveness with a fierce drive to be "better than anyone else" and "honest with the customer" – a commitment she refused to compromise, even when faced with monastic persuasion. Now, with Rosa's Thai expanding to nearly 50 sites and a new venture in Dubai, she continues to champion authentic Thai cuisine.ON THE MENU: 1. Growing Up Off-Grid in the Thai Mountains2. Mountain Wisdom: Competition Without Jealousy3. Buddhist Lessons for Business and Life4. The Monk Who Told Me to Quit My Restaurant5. From Rural Thailand to Hong Kong Culture Shock6. Why London Was Ready for Real Thai Food7. Street Food Principles: Honesty, Quality, Simplicity8. Reinventing Delivery Without Killing the Food9. Scaling Restaurants Without Losing Consistency10. Trust Your Gut and Cook Authentically Got empty tables? EatClub connects your restaurant with diners in real time, turning quiet hours into profit. Contact us: [email protected]

Robin Gill is a serial restaurateur who has built multiple, entirely different restaurant concepts — not chains, not repeats. In this episode, Robin breaks down why great hospitality isn’t about big gestures or surface-level creativity — but about systems, discipline, and invisible details that customers feel without ever consciously noticing. Drawing on years of building restaurants from scratch, we explore what actually creates loyalty, repeat business, and long-term success — in hospitality and far beyond. =============== 🍽️ ON THE MENU =============== ⚙️ Why great hospitality is mostly invisible 🧠 Performance vs delight — and why it matters 🚫 Why removing friction beats trying to impress 🔍 The small details customers feel but never articulate 🏗️ Building restaurants as systems, not vibes 🎯 Why doing fewer things perfectly wins 📈 What hospitality teaches any business about human behaviour This isn’t about food trends or hype. It’s about how well-designed systems quietly win. Got empty tables? EatClub connects your restaurant with diners in real time, turning quiet hours into profit. Contact us: [email protected]

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

When I started the poddy, I scribbled on scruff paper a list dream brands Top of list: Innocent Innocent are THE OG challenger brand. The Innocent Illuminate (or Alumni) all built WHOPPPA brands:Giles, Barney, Emma, Peter Oden, loads more All extol fruitful learnings from Fruit Towers. Many see Innocent as a Brand & Marketing machine (they are). In this episode Adam Balon revealed something much DEEPER Something surprising. Something you've not thought about. ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here 🍲 ON THE MENU:Why There are Multiple Status Games and We Are Never Playing One Status GameWhy a Story is a Deal - a UNIQUE deal between your brand and your consumer - so tell the story rightThe Science of Brand Storytelling Nike and The Rise of Metcons in Cross FitWhy Status is Making Us Live in a Blandemic - Blandemic of Buildings, Restuarants and Brands - how to escapeWhy Bad Brand Story Telling is vague, “Reflect the story world back at me, so I can find my identity in it”Why Falling in Love is Similar to Brand storytelling: Your Goal is to Reflect back to them what they want to know”The brand is a light figure in storytelling: How does your story make consumers Status + ConnectionWhy Ambition can become corruptive and how to solve itWhy the best organisational structures are focused on the “Me” and “We” (this is SO SO SO good)We Earn Status Through VirtueThe Status Game and Michelin Star Restuarants: The Downfall of Status 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

Marketing hasn’t changed.Human behaviour hasn’t changed.Most brands still get this wrong.This episode is a curated montage of insights from three of the most influential thinkers in modern marketing and behavioural science — exploring why people buy, how brands become commodities, and what actually drives growth.===============📱 ON THE MENU===============Why people don’t buy quality — they buy storiesHow brands cross (or fail to cross) the adoption chasmWhy removing friction beats adding featuresThe real role of status, affiliation, and fearHow “delight” creates disproportionate valueWhy most innovation never becomes normalThis isn’t trend-watching.It’s a breakdown of the timeless mechanics behind decision-making, branding, and scale.If you’re building a brand, selling an idea, or trying to influence behaviour — this episode will change how you think about marketing.==============================================♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ==============================================🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟==============================================A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible:►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk)🤝 Let's Connect!►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)This episode was edited by:G.Thomas Craig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomascraig/)=============================================== 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

David Cleevely didn’t approach hospitality like a chef — he approached it like a systems engineer. After decades building companies at the heart of British technology and science, Cleevely went on to co-own one of the UK’s most iconic Italian restaurants. In this conversation, he explains why running a restaurant isn’t that different from running a technology business — if you understand systems, incentives, and long-term thinking. This isn’t a story about Silicon Valley hype. It’s about infrastructure, patience, culture, and why the boring bits are what actually make businesses work. =============== 📱 ON THE MENU =============== 🍝 What a tech pioneer learned by running a restaurant 🧠 Why systems thinking matters more than innovation 🏗️ Building businesses that last — in tech and hospitality 📉 Why most companies obsess over the wrong metrics 🇬🇧 How Britain quietly builds world-class businesses ⏳ The long view: patience, compounding, and endurance Whether you’re building a startup, running a restaurant, or managing a growing team, this is a masterclass in how experienced operators really think. ============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟 ============================================== A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible: ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk) 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/) 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

============================================== ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ---------------------------------🤝 Let's Connect!►Let's link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

If Oasis did Supper Clubs they wouldn’t come close to HUNGRY Productions Bonfire Banquet.Okay…okay… I jest... I jest.But, my wonderful friends, this one was a CERTY BANGER!!!Absolute Wave Donny speaker line up:- Imme Ermgassen, Botivo Drinks | B corp- Andrew Salter, DIRTEA- Perry Haydn Taylor 💚, big fish®- Riya Patel, All The AuntiesHosted at London hottest new gaff, ISLAND Kings Cross at Mare Street MarketRun by two legendary Michelin Star chefs Tom Brown and Brad Carter.ON THE MENU:Avoiding category pigeonholingNiche focus vs. mass-market expansionBuilding credibility before awarenessPackaging as primary advertisingCommunity-first brand buildingIdentity and lifestyle brandingEarly adopters vs. mainstream consumersPaid media vs. organic creativityRetail + distribution challengesAgency pitfalls and resource misallocation 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

Santiago Lastra’s story is unlike any other in modern food. Raised in chaos, forged through global kitchens, and shaped by an obsessive drive to master his craft, he built KOL — one of London’s most original, Michelin-starred restaurants — by combining Mexican soul with British ingredients.In this conversation, Santiago reveals how adversity, identity, discipline and extreme curiosity shaped both him and his restaurant. This episode is about far more than food — it’s about reinvention, resilience, and the psychology behind elite creativity.=============ON THE MENU =============🇲🇽 Growing up in chaos — and turning adversity into fuel🔥 How obsession, discipline & structure rewired his life🥘 The philosophy behind KOL: Mexican soul, British ingredients🌍 Noma Mexico, global travel & finding creative identity🧠 How environment shapes ambition, confidence & mindset🎨 Why great creativity requires constraints🍽️ Building a Michelin-star restaurant from scratch👥 Leadership, culture & the psychology of a great kitchen🥃 The emotional story behind Mezcaleria KOL🔄 Letting go of your past to build the life you want==============================================♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 🙏DONATE to Dan's London Marathon Fundraiser for Arts for All:click here or use the link below👇https://www.justgiving.com/page/dan-pope-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk&mi_u=55223120&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Event-near-badge_uk

Today’s poddy is sponsored by Square. Square is the all-in-one restaurant tech platform designed to streamline operations and give hospitality business owners the time back to focus on growth. Square is Big In Restaurants - which is the name of its latest UK marketing campaign - offering everything you need for day-to-day service, including Square’s payments, point of sale and reporting capabilities. Whether you’re a single-location FSR, a multilocation QSR, a bar or a multi-concept restaurant, improve the flow of orders and find more ways to keep profit in your pocket. For more information visit 👉 https://squareup.com/This live panel brings together four absolute legends of London hospitality: Stew Down from Black Bear Burger, Saiphin Moore from Rosa’s Thai Cafe, Graham Hollinshead from Ole & Steen, and Amanda Whiteside from the iconic Gordon’s Wine Bar.The theme of the night? How the hell do you survive—and actually thrive—in hospitality right now? Bruce Lee’s “Be like water” sets the tone as the group dives straight into the realities they’re all wrestling with and how they navigate around them.Stew (Black Bear Burger) talks about the challenge of being a premium brand in a category with a price ceiling. Instead of joining discount wars, he’s doubling down on creativity—like launching an adult Happy Meal with a double burger, fries, a Negroni, and a cheeky adult “toy.” It’s nostalgic, fun, and designed to go viral without cheapening the brand.Graham (Ole & Steen) offers the big-chain perspective. With 100+ stores in Denmark, 26 in the UK, and 5 in New York, his biggest fear is losing momentum. He talks about simplifying product ranges, fixing supply chain waste, and doing unexpected collaborations (like a Cinnamon Social × Badiani gelato mashup) to keep things fresh and fend off complacency.Saiphin (Rosa’s Thai Cafe) shares a very different set of pressures—import costs, skilled-chef shortages, and the challenge of staying true to her food when nearly everything comes from Thailand. Her answer? She trains up local staff from the ground floor, maintains deep relationships with Thai farmers, and proudly “swims against the water.” Her leadership style is pure heart: she cooks for her team, travels with them to Thailand, and treats them like extended family.Amanda (Gordon’s Wine Bar) brings the single-site reality. Running Gordon’s is like running the gauntlet: councils, complaints, grease traps, supply issues, dairy bans, price shocks—you name it. Her approach is to stay calm, pivot fast, and frame every problem as something solvable. She also breaks down how they restructured service charge and pricing to protect staff wages during the cost-of-living crisis.And that's only part of the conversation. Go on. Take a listen.==============================================♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 🤝 Let's Connect!►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)This episode was edited by:G.Thomas Craig (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gthomascraig/) Proudly partnering with Square for this one