Small Talk

SMALL TALK

Patrick Frawley of Restaurant Story on the changing face of the sommelier

11-Dec-2015 By Emma Eversham

Patrick Frawley recently joined Restaurant Story as head sommelier. Previous roles include beverage manager at Rosewood London and head sommelier at Sushisamba. He talks about how the sommelier's role has evolved over the last few years.

SMALL TALK

Kate Hawkings on creating wine lists and new restaurant Bellita

04-Dec-2015 By Joe Lutrario

Involved with Bristol’s now buzzing restaurant scene for decades, restaurateur and oenophile Kate Hawkings also chairs the Guild of Food Writers. Last month she opened Bellita, a wine-focused follow up to Bell’s Diner.

Dan Doherty on running a 24-hour restaurant and why TV chefs aren’t helping the chef shortage

20-Nov-2015 By Sophie Witts

Dan Doherty, executive chef at Duck & Waffle, launched the Chefs of Tomorrow programme earlier this year to encourage young talent in to the industry. 

SMALL TALK

Chef Selin Kiazim on opening her first restaurant Oklava

06-Nov-2015 By Stefan Chomka

The Turkish-Cypriot chef’s long-awaited restaurant, Oklava, opens this month in Shoreditch serving her celebrated modern take on Middle Eastern food.

SMALL TALK

Nieves Barragán Mohacho on the culture behind the UK’s No.1 restaurant

30-Oct-2015 By Sophie Witts

Nieves Barragán Mohacho is executive chef at Barrafina Adelaide Street, the no-reservations tapas bar which took the top spot at the National Restaurant Awards in June.  

SMALL TALK

Larry Jayasekara on winning National Chef of the Year 2016

23-Oct-2015 By Emma Eversham

Larry Jayasekara, senior sous chef at Gordon Ramsay Group's Petrus restaurant, talks about what it was like competing in and winning the National Chef of the Year 2016.

SMALL TALK

Andy Oliver of Som Saa on crowdfunding and opening his first permanent restaurant

09-Oct-2015 By Joe Lutrario

Smash-hit east London residency Som Saa closes this month, but Thai food specialist Andy Oliver and his partners have already reached their crowdfunding target for their first permanent restaurant, also to be called Som Saa. 

Dandelyan’s Iain Griffiths on building a bar in 24 hours and predicting the next big spirit

02-Oct-2015 By Emma Eversham

Iain Griffiths is business manager at Mr Lyan, Ryan Chetiyawardana’s bar and drinks company, and bartender at Dandelyan. He is also part of the London team competing in Bacardi Brown Forman’s 24 Hour Bar Build competition as part of London Cocktail Week...

Richard Bainbridge on Great British Menu and opening his own restaurant

25-Sep-2015 By Sophie Witts

Richard Bainbridge, chef-owner at Benedict's in Norwich, is returning to Great British Menu next week. He spoke to BigHospitality about launching his first solo restaurant and why this year’s competition will be his last. 

SMALL TALK

Jack Lewens and Matthew Young on new restaurant Ellory

04-Sep-2015 By Joe Lutrario

The experienced back and front-of-house duo will open their restaurant Ellory at Hackney’s Netil House later this month. Young received rave reviews for his cooking at Mayfields (also in Hackney) and Lewens has worked in the restaurant industry for 20...

Jessica Simmons on new restaurant Beef & Brew and tackling the chef shortage

28-Aug-2015 By Sophie Witts

Chef Jessica Simmons, who previously worked under Angela Hartnett at Murano and Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room, is opening her first standalone restaurant Beef & Brew with business partner Dan Nathan in September. She spoke to BigHospitality about...

SMALL TALK

Daniel Clifford on new pub The Flitch of Bacon and Great British Menu

14-Aug-2015 By Emma Eversham

Daniel Clifford, chef-patron of the two Michelin-starred Midsummer House, speaks exclusively to Big Hospitality about returning to Great British Menu and opening his own pub, the Flitch of Bacon, in Essex.

SMALL TALK

Jerome Tafani of Chipotle talks UK expansion

31-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

US chain Chipotle opens 2-3 restaurants a week in America, though so far its UK expansion has been more guarded. Jerome Tafani, executive director for European business development at Chipotle, spoke to BigHospitality about the future of the brand in...

SMALL TALK

Camellia Panjabi of MW Eat on relocating Chutney Mary and Masala Zone plans

17-Jul-2015 By Joe Lutrario

Based in Mumbai but currently in the UK to oversee the relocation of venerable Indian fine-dining restaurant Chutney Mary, Camellia Panjabi is part of the trio of family members behind Indian restaurant group MW Eat and has also penned the world’s best-selling...

SMALL TALK

John Metcalf of Strada on challenging customer perceptions of the chain

19-Jun-2015 By Sophie Witts

Following its sale by Tragus Group to Sun Capital Partners in 2014 for £37m, the Strada restaurant group is looking to considerably up its game. John Metcalf, the brand’s new commercial director, spoke to BigHospitality about overhauling the menu and...