The Ceres Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith MP joins Stelios for a straight-talking conversation about the real challenges facing small businesses and the hospitality sector.

From VAT reform and business rates to red tape, hiring struggles, and the pressure on high streets, this episode digs into how government decisions ripple into everyday life for fish and chip shops, pubs, cafés, and independent operators across the country.

Andrew draws on decades in business, including senior roles at Sky and Just Eat, to offer a candid insider's view of Westminster. Stelios pushes the discussion into the issues owners actually care about: the VAT cliff edge, staffing costs, unfair competition, and whether the current system truly supports those keeping Britain's communities alive.

A clear, grounded, and practical discussion for anyone who runs a business or depends on one.

Episode highlight powered by Ceres Deep Fryer Cleaner, Ceres Heavy Duty Degreaser & Ceres Heavy Duty Descaler— made to keep your commercial kitchen and equipment in peak condition. Find out more at ceres.shop.

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This week on The Ceres Podcast, Stelios sits down with Cos Michael, owner of Pisces in Heswall, for a powerful conversation about leadership, loyalty, and longevity in the fish and chip trade.

From staffing challenges and delivery platforms to changing customer habits and the art of staying relevant — this episode goes deep on what it really takes to run a modern shop without losing your values.

Cos's honesty and experience shine through. He's grounded, forward-thinking, and genuinely cares about his team, his customers, and the industry. This is one of those episodes that reminds you why good people make great businesses.

🎙️ Episode highlight powered by Ceres Natural Gold Batter Mix — made with British wheat, offering free mainland delivery and available via local wholesalers. Find out more at ceres.shop.

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John Lavery joins Stelios to share how he built Fish City Belfast through economic crises, shifting consumer trends, and bold business pivots. 

From the meat trade to MSC-certified seafood, this candid chat covers resilience, reinvention, and the future of fish and chips.

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In this episode, Stelios talks to Josette Foster, a regional director for the national federation of fish friers. 

As well as her role within the federation, she owns the multi-award-winning shop - Fish & chips at Weston Grove, which she started with her late husband, Richard.

This episode has one topic: Fish & Chip Awards and Fish & Chip Awards only.

If you would like to go to the Fish & Chip Awards 🏆🏆 in London, then click this link -> http://bit.ly/3CSZA7J

Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today -> https://bit.ly/fisht1ps 

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📧 To send your feedback or suggest a guest, email The Ceres Podcast at stelios@worldofceres.com

In this episode of the Ceres Podcast, Stelios talks to Andrew Crook, the president of The National Federation of Fish Friers and owner of Skippers Fish Bar in Euxton.

They talk about the industry's current challenges, fish prices, commodity prices, double invoicing and VAT fraud.

Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today -> https://bit.ly/fisht1ps 

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📧 To send your feedback or suggest a guest, email The Ceres Podcast at stelios@worldofceres.com

In this episode of the Ceres Podcast, Stelios talks to Paul Goodgame, the managing director of The Chesterford Group. 

They talk about Paul's career progression and how he worked at TCG for 29 years and became operations director in 2010 and managing director in 2020. 

Paul discusses the challenges of covid19, inflation, aggregators, recruitment, and the elephant-in-the-room topic of VAT fraud.

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📧 To send your feedback or suggest a guest, email The Ceres Podcast at stelios@worldofceres.com

Dan is the founder of SixEight Marketing Agency, a South East Asian food nerd and a brand strategist who gets food brands more customers by telling a great story.

Dan cuts through all the marketing jargon to put independents on the same path to success as the big corporates, if not better. 

He works with obsessive food brands to grow their loyal tribe, helping brands like Dishoom and Flat Iron stand out from the noise and get more sales using the power of their story.

To find out more about Dan Nash:

💡 Visit SixEight Marketing Agency 💡

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📧 To send your feedback or suggest a guest, email The Ceres Podcast at stelios@worldofceres.com

Paul Gunning is the head chef and owner of Purslane in the stunning area of Stockbridge on St. Stephen Street. 

This fantastic restaurant is the epitome of rustic, casual fine dining. Paul is a brilliant podcast guest; we got into the nitty-gritty of what he likes about the restaurant business.

To find out more about Paul or Purslane:

💡 Visit Purslane Restaurant Website 💡

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📧 To send your feedback or suggest a guest, email The Ceres Podcast at stelios@worldofceres.com

In this episode, Stelios talks to Stefano Nella from Nella Cutlery Services. 

Nella Cutlery Services have been sharpening knives for over 120 years; I love that Nella has been in business for this long, but they have evolved and stayed true to what they do.

Nella Cutlery Services have been at the forefront of sustainability for a long time, even when it wasn't fashionable. Nella Cutlery also gets the most out of your money, no more broken mouldy boards, no more blunt knives. Put an end to the throwaway culture today.

💡 Visit Nella Cutlery Services 💡

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📧 To send your feedback or suggest a guest, email The Ceres Podcast at stelios@worldofceres.com

Matthew Konen has been in the fish & chip industry since 2018; I wanted to get Matthew on the podcast because I knew that he had a lot of challenges turning Athena B around and still does.

As we all know, there are loads of general challenges with hospitality at the moment, so it was interesting to hear how they are going about these issues.

I love how optimistic Matthew is, it does not diminish how hard things are at the moment, but we all need to keep pushing hard through these challenging times.

💡 Episode Sponsor - Ceres Fishcake Mix 💡

To follow Matthew at Athena B, visit Facebook & Instagram.

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