Small Talk

BigHospitality catches up with chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and publicans for a chat about their latest projects, their career so far, and their passion for hospitality

SMALL TALK

Albert Adrià on making cutting-edge food more accessible and his love of pastry

05-Jun-2015 By Joe Lutrario

The pre-eminent chef behind Tickets and four other restaurants in Barcelona on making cutting-edge food more accessible, his love of pastry, finding success from mistakes and stepping out from the shadow of his big brother.

SMALL TALK

Bryn Williams on his new restaurant and why Goodwood is a ‘no brainer’

29-May-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Bryn Williams, owner of Odette's in Primrose Hill, is about to open a second restaurant close to his birthplace in north Wales. The celebrity chef told BigHospitality about his plans for the new site, and how he is to be the special guest chef at...

SMALL TALK

Claude Bosi on Hibiscus reaching its 15th birthday

15-May-2015 By Michelle Perrett

This May Hibiscus, the fine-dining restaurant owned by French chef Claude Bosi, celebrates its 15th birthday. The chef tells BigHospitality about his time at the restaurant in both Ludlow and London’s Mayfair and how he manages to keep things fresh after...

SMALL TALK

Mark Sargeant on The Strand Dining Rooms and why you won't see his name above any restaurant door

17-Apr-2015 By Emma Eversham

Mark Sargeant, co-owner of Folkestone restaurants Rocksalt and The Smokehouse and the newly-opened Duke William pub, talks about his new role as chef director of The Strand Dining Rooms and why you won't see his name above the door of any of his...

SMALL TALK

Shing Tat Chung of Bao London on turning a street food stall into a permanent restaurant

13-Apr-2015 By Joe Lutrario

As one of the three founders of Taiwanese street food stall Bao, Shing Tat Chung has just turned restaurateur proper with the opening of a first permanent site on Soho's Lexington Street last week (8 April).

SMALL TALK

Daniele Quattromini of ClubLounge39 on delivering top quality service

30-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

Daniele Quattromini, manager at ClubLounge39 at Canary Wharf and winner of the Gold Service Scholarship 2015, shares his top tips for providing quality service.

SMALL TALK

Jasper Cuppaidge of Camden Town Brewery on crowdfunding and running 'awesome' pubs

20-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

Camden Town Brewery launched its Hells Raiser crowdfunding campaign to help finance a new brewery in February and has already over-reached its £1.5m target. Founder Jasper Cuppaidge talks about his reasons for going down the crowdfunding route and why...

SMALL TALK

Thomasina Miers on the future of Mexican food in the UK

06-Mar-2015 By Emma Eversham

The Wahaca co-founder talks about how her restaurant group is attracting Mexico’s top chefs to cook with her this year and lays out the future for Mexican food in this country.

SMALL TALK

Amandine Chaignot on London's restaurant scene, working in a happy kitchen and building repeat custom

20-Feb-2015 By Emma Eversham

Rosewood London's new executive chef Amandine Chaignot, talks about why it's important to have some fun in the kitchen and why she'll be chasing repeat custom over accolades.

SMALL TALK

Jean-Christophe Novelli on his return to restaurants

06-Feb-2015 By Joe Lutrario

After a six-year break from the restaurant industry, the UK’s most Gallic celebrity chef is back with plans to open a large brasserie at the new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Liverpool.

SMALL TALK

David Carter of Smokestak on why he swapped fine dining for barbecue

29-Jan-2015 By Emma Eversham

A former front-of-house manager at Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's and Roka, Barbudian David Carter turned his back on fine-dining in 2013 to launch barbecue street-food concept Smokestak which is currently in situ at The Tasting Room at Broadgate Ice...

SMALL TALK

Ana and Sanja Morris on Le Coq and rotisserie chicken restaurants

19-Jan-2015 By Carina Perkins

Sisters Ana and Sanja Morris talk about starting London's chicken restaurant trend and growing the Le Coq brand.

Small talk

Suga Gunam on The Hideaway and why you can never spend too much time with your team

04-Dec-2014 By Melodie Michel

Suga Gunam opened her first solo venture – The Hideaway – this year, and hopes to open a second bar next year. She talks about her experience with chains and her passion for helping people.

Small Talk

James Walters on taking Arabica from the streets to a successful restaurant

21-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

James Walters has spent the last 14 years selling food and produce from the Levant at food markets and festivals across London and beyond. He opened his restaurant, Arabica Bar & Kitchen, in Borough Market earlier this year.