In The Weeds – Détails, épisodes et analyse

This episode we arrive in Berlin and drop into conversation with one of the pioneers of the Third Wave coffee movement, CEO and founder of the The Barn Coffee Roasters Ralf Rüller. If you are interested in the speciality coffee world or want to learn more then this episode is for you.

Ralf has grown The Barn into one of the most recognised brands in the speciality coffee world. His simplistic approach to quality and the product is what has made this so successful and we find out where the idea and his love for coffee (and bread) originated from.

We discuss the ongoing discussion around packaging and sustainability and the need for clarity in the conversation. Most importantly we discuss the process and the huge importance of the farmer.

Extensively travelling all over the world sourcing coffee we also learn about Ralf's favourite places outside Berlin and learn his ITW moment in hospitality.

This week I talk to Jonas Anderson and Spaniard Bernabeu as we stop off to check in on Copenhagen. The guys have recently opened PULP bar in the Nørrebro neighbourhood.

After working in the industry for a number of years they have finally realised their dream of opening their own place, only right in the middle of a pandemic! They have some refreshing ideologies of what they want their bar to bring to their guests and the community.

Copenhagen is also often voted the best and happiest cities to live in the world and one of the most forward thinking in food and drink culture. We gather some interesting insight into how it got there and what its like living there now.

This week I am joined by Ollie Downey who runs successful food blog 'Ols Food' on instagram. He is also recipe developer for the Courtney Black fitness app, which is an online sensation with nearly 1 million followers associated to her brand.

First it was the mobile phone and soon more people in the world, will not know life without social media. It has become a fabric in society and it is completely normal to do business, interact, make friends and learn about new things but what does the future hold and are the positives outweighed by underlying problems?

We get an insight into how these online businesses function and ultimately thrive. Ol has also worked in the hospitality industry for many years and we discuss everything from Stockholms food scene to some crazy ITW moments.

Life is full of cross pollination of industries and lifestyles so learning to understand each other can only be a good thing in and never changing fast pace world.

Welcome back and for the first episode of Season 3,I am joined by chef, musician, business man and all round true gentlemen Mr. Levi Roots. From humble beginnings way back in Clarendon Jamaica to a meeting, a sauce and a song 13 years ago that changed his life forever. I think we can all remember that 'Reggae Reggae' sauce performance of the Dragons Den.

Levi has been an inspiration to many over the years his journey is fascinating and also his work giving back to the youth and the community in Brixton, where he still resides, and around the country.

We talk about how he has managed to merge cooking and music ,his two great passions, throughout his life and and also how life as a Rasta influences this.

We all need stories of positivity and humility right now and Levi has this in abundance. The episode includes some motivating and powerful messages from Levi for the listeners.

This week I have Dave Critchley Exec Chef of Luban Restaurant.

Christmas is fast approaching and we are all looking for tails of togetherness, community and being kind to lift our spirits and we have one right here.

I have renamed Dave, Father Critchley due to his selfless work throughout the pandemic and into the festive period. He is part of countless initiatives such as LIDS (Liverpool Independent Delivery Services) that are all about solidarity and we learn more about them and how to get involved.

We also find out more about his culinary training in China and his unforgettable ITW service story.

Merry Xmas x

Sustainability, zero waste, knowing about our produce and improving our lifestyles are high on agendas for many people at the moment and rightly so.

In a world where change is on the horizon. This week I speak to Nicolas Friar, founder of Hypha restaurant in Chester. He talks candidly about these ideologies that run through the veins of his restaurant and their teams mission to soon be a 100 per cent zero waste restaurant.

Here we speak about the importance of change, the wonderful local suppliers and growers, plant based diets, restaurant influences and of course his home town of Chester, which has grown over the past few years into having a vibrant diverse independent food and drink scene.

Music:

Intro - Killer Crab Men

Outro - Carrianne Hayden

This week I am joined by Carrianne Hayden who is not only a talented musician but a forward thinking yoga practitioner with her Third Wave Yoga business and an Oat Flat White enthusiast.

We get an insight into how Carrianne merges her two passions together in her life and throughout the podcast we discuss the importance of gratitude, personal growth, evolution and ways in which we can take a measured holistic way of living throughout these difficult times. 

We also establish Carriannes favourite musical influences and the episode features two amazing songs written and performed by Carrianne. Intro - San Fransisco // Outro - Not tonight. 

This week I am joined by Patrick Howley the CEO of 'So Lets Talk.'

“So lets talk” is a non-profit platform with a mission to 86 the silence, providing education, events, training and activities on all aspects of mental, physical and financial health in the hospitality industry.

The industry has often been stigmatised over the years as an unhealthy place to work, so it is critical that we can openly talk about solutions for working in the sector and enjoying a healthy way of life. Patrick speaks from the heart about his raw personal experiences.

Mental health has been highlighted throughout the pandemic. The impact of lockdowns and restrictions are testing peoples state of mind. We discuss potential techniques and methods that can be implemented into your life and help through these difficult times.

Theres never been a more prevalent moment to connect and look after each other.

So Lets Talk.....

James is one of the co-founders of Maray Restaurants and is also one of my closest friends, so it was a pleasure to have him on chatting about various topics on this weeks episode.

Naturally, with our lives being interlinked for soo many years there was plenty to cover and which has made for a slightly longer episode than the norm.

We learn about the founding of Maray while touching upon current factual events that have impacted the hospitality industry. As well as the fundamentals of fairness in our society and the right for wellbeing and nutrition trends through the conversation and also James first hand experience with COVID.

Humans of BSC : Carl Rice 

We talk to Carl about the importance of staying caffeinated, the changing world of television and film, also his life as a chef (or a pretend one)!!

From ‘Accrington Stanley who are they?…’ we all remember that all the way to be a highly respected writer, producer and actor starring in shows such as Trollied, Deep Water, Good Cop and Brassic to name a few.

'Humans of BSC' is the part of the series which includes episodes on the life and times of some of the the fantastic regulars (almost residents) from Bold Street Coffee

Coffee shops are becoming the cornerstones of communities again and places of inclusion and equality. The guests create this ethos and their stories are beautifully diverse and entertaining.

‘Filter Coffee Not People’.