Welcome to Dig In, Wenodo’s brand-new podcast going behind the scenes of modern hospitality. 

For our launch episode, host David Durban sits down at the bar with Ollie Dabbous - Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur and one of the most influential figures in British dining - to dig into the moments, risks and decisions that shaped his career.

From early kitchen jobs in Florence to the intensity of Le Manoir, from opening his first restaurant with his name on the door to redefining what fine dining could look and feel like, Ollie reflects with honesty, humour and clarity on the craft of cooking, leadership, creativity and resilience.

Filmed at the incredible Encore Bar, under Toum Rotisserie, Maddox Street, London

This is a conversation about earning your place, backing your vision, and why hospitality  (done properly) still matters more than ever.

🍽️ In This Episode, We Dig Into:

• Falling in love with food, and why Ollie nearly became a pastry chef
• Learning the hard way at Le Manoir: pressure and hard graft
• Why kitchens are meritocratic, and how work ethic beats talent
• The loneliness and resilience required in elite culinary training
• Opening your first restaurant with no safety net and everything at stake
• Raising funding, bluffing confidence, and betting on yourself
• The reality behind overnight success and critical acclaim
• Why hospitality is ultimately about welcome, kindness and human connection

⚡ Quick Fire Highlights:

• Favourite ingredient: Fresh produce (and perfectly prepped artichokes)
• Comfort food after service: Cheese on toast
• Chef he admires most: Raymond Blanc
• Mantra: Love it. Change it. Leave it.
• One ingredient he’d ban forever: Barbecue sauce

🎧 Why Listen?

This isn’t a polished success story, it’s an honest, behind-the-bar look at what it really takes to build something meaningful in hospitality. Whether you work in food and drink, lead a team, or just love great restaurants, this episode sets the tone for what Dig In is all about: real stories, real craft, and real perspective.



📢 Stay Connected

• Subscribe to Dig In for new episodes

Visit Wenodo to explore more from the podcast

Welcome to Dig In, Wenodo’s podcast going behind the scenes of modern hospitality.

In Episode 2 of Dig In, host David Durban sits down with Kurt Zdesar, the visionary founder behind Chotto Matte , to uncover the story behind one of hospitality’s most recognisable global brands!

From transforming London’s dining scene with contemporary Nikkei cuisine to expanding internationally, Kurt’s journey is one defined by ambition, creativity, and an unwavering belief in his vision.

This teaser is just a glimpse into a fascinating conversation covering the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the realities of growing a hospitality brand, the risks that come with thinking differently, and the lessons learned along the way.

Whether you’re a restaurateur, hospitality professional, or simply curious about what it takes to build a brand that stands out on a global stage, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

🍽️ In This Episode, We Dig Into:

• How Kurt’s early passion for food set him on the hospitality path
• Learning the business behind world-class restaurants at Nobu
• Helping build Zuma and Roka into global restaurant brands
• The moment Kurt decided to create Chotto Matte
• Introducing Nikkei cuisine to London and beyond
• Why design, energy and atmosphere are just as important as food
• The realities of launching ambitious restaurant concepts
• What it takes to scale a hospitality brand internationally

⚡ Quick Fire Highlights:

• Favourite ingredient: Fresh seafood
• Comfort meal after service: Simple pasta
• Chef he admires: Nobu Matsuhisa
• Mantra: Create experiences people remember
• One hospitality trend he’d ban: Style without substance

🎧 Why Listen?

This episode goes beyond the typical restaurant success story to explore how global hospitality brands are actually built. Kurt shares the lessons learned from working at the very highest level of the industry, and what it takes to create restaurants that people don’t just visit, but truly remember.

📢 Stay Connected

• Subscribe to Dig In for new episodes
• Visit Wenodo to explore more from the podcast