Breaking The Cork

Breaking The Cork

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Welcome to Breaking The Cork! Once a week, we will welcome a new guest working in hospitality with lot of crispy and juicy stories. So grab a glass, settle in, and join us as we navigate the fascinating terrain of life's conversations, one sip at a time.

Breaking the cork


    • Jan 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 42m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Breaking The Cork

    Mario De Sa: Hospitality Builders, Dynamic Vines and Crazy Request from Restaurant Owner #21

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 48:11


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork, we welcome Mario De Sá, founder of DS Construction. We look at his biggest projects, why he decided to leave his job at Dynamic Vines to set up his own construction company, and explains the different steps if one day you decide to open your own hospitality businesses.

    Faustine Daudier de Cassini: Caviar Bump, Sustainability, and Tasting with Hugh Grant #20

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 32:57


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork, we're joined by Faustine De Cassini, Export Manager at Caviar Sturia. Faustine brings her expertise to the table, sharing the best ways to enjoy caviar, whether it's with the perfect pairing or on its own. We dive into the caviar production and explore how it's managed to maintain its reputation as the ultimate luxury dish.

    Victoria Sharples: Stemware, New Alcohol Duty and Wine Under £10 (Part 2) #19

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 40:46


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork, we're joined once again by Victoria Sharples, Panel Chair & Judge at the International Wine Challenge (IWC). Victoria shares her insights on how stemware can elevate your wine-tasting experience, the upcoming changes to wine duty in 2025, and whether you can still find great value in wines under £10. She also takes us behind the scenes of the restaurant wine experience, offering expert tips on how to pour, present, and impress your guests with style.

    Victoria Sharples: Salon Champagne, Service Manners and Decanting Wine in a Salad Bowl?! (Part 1) #18

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 37:26


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork we sit down again with Victoria Sharples, the brilliant Group Head of Wine at Fallow & Roe. Victoria talk about the magic of champagne, exploring what makes it the ultimate celebratory drink and how to serve it like a pro. Victoria takes us behind the scenes of the restaurant wine experience, dishing out tips on how to pour, present, and wow your guests with finesse, and discover how the right wine glass can completely transform the way you experience your favorite bottle.

    Guillaume Gillan : Sabotage in Kitchen, Pop up Restaurant and 27kg of Garlic #17

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 43:09


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork, we chat with Guillaume Gillan, former executive Head Chef at Bokan and a culinary talent shaped by his time working with Alain Ducasse. Guillaume shares his fascinating journey, from leading high-pressure Michelin-starred kitchens to private members club. Now embracing life as a nomad chef, Guillaume tells us about his innovative pop-up dining experiences and his fresh approach to creating memorable food moments.

    Michael Sager: Entrepreneurship, Natural wine and the Harsh Reality Of Opening New Businesses #16

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 60:08


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork, we chat with Michael Sager, founder of the renowned Sager + Wilde in London. Michael takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, from his wine bars and restaurants to his adventurous approach to importing natural wines with his company Sager + Wine. Discover his vision for the future of wine and his unique hospitality philosophy.

    Sebastien Wind: Pastry Head Chef, Gordon Ramsay and Food Market #15

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 44:36


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork, we sit down with Sebastien Wind, Founder and Head Pastry Chef at Comptoir Gourmand, a renowned French patisserie with four locations in Southeast London, including Borough Market. Sebastien shares his culinary journey from working alongside industry legends like Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White to managing Comptoir Gourmand, a thriving family-run business. Discover the inspiration behind his pastries, the challenges of running multiple shops, and his vision for the future of this beloved London bakery.

    Victoria Sharples: Head of Wine, Judge and MW Student #14

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 73:48


    In this exciting new episode of Breaking the Cork, we sit down with Victoria Sharples, the brilliant Group Head of Wine at Fallow & Roe. Victoria takes us on a journey through her fascinating career, from leading the wine program at the iconic St. John's Restaurant to opening her very own wine bar. We also dive into her Master of Wine studies, and she shares incredible stories from her years in the wine industry.

    Table for Two - Google Reviews & Food Influencers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 25:16


    In this episode of Breaking the Cork, we dive into the impact of online reviews in the hospitality industry. We compare the raw, unfiltered world of Google reviews with the polished, influencer-driven content dominating social media. How do these two forces shape the dining experience? And which has the bigger influence on where we choose to eat?

    Greg Lambrecht, Founder of Coravin: The secret to blind tasting and getting paid with magnums #13

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 45:55


    In this exciting Season 2 premiere of Breaking the Cork, we sit down with Greg Lambrecht, the visionary founder of Coravin, to dive deep into the story behind his game-changing invention. Greg shares how his love for wine sparked the creation of Coravin, and how he turned a simple passion into a global brand that's revolutionizing the way we enjoy wine. Tune in as we explore the challenges, inspiration, and innovation behind one of the most groundbreaking tools in the wine industry!

    SEASON 2: WE'RE BACK BABY!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 12:58


    Welcome back to Breaking the Cork! In the premiere episode of Season 2, we're kicking things off with exciting news, new guests, and the highly anticipated return of our fan-favorite segment, 'Table for 2.' We'll explore what's fresh for the season, plus share a bit about ourselves for all the new listeners joining us. Get ready for another season of uncorking captivating conversations, from wine to hospitality and beyond!

    Building Loyalty: From Nightclubs to Tech with Embargo's Co-Founder, Frederick Szydlowski #12

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 60:38


    In this episode, we sit down with Frederick Szydlowski, the co-founder of Embargo App, the UK's leading loyalty and CRM platform for the hospitality industry. Frederick shares his unique journey from working in nightclubs to becoming a tech entrepreneur, revolutionising the way businesses build and maintain customer loyalty. We dive deep into the critical role that regulars play in the success of any hospitality business and how technology is transforming the industry.

    Revolutionizing Recruitment: Insights from Lauren Barnett, Founder of Home Hospitality #11

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 44:07


    In this episode, we chat with Lauren Barnett, founder of Home Hospitality, a recruitment agency dedicated to the hospitality sector. Discover her deep passion for the industry and get insider tips on the challenges and triumphs of assembling a top-notch team in this ever-evolving field. Tune in for a lively discussion filled with insights and inspiration.

    Cheffe Anna Søgaard: Kitchen, Supper club & a lot of butter #10

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 43:57


    Join us as we delve into the culinary journey of Anna Søgaard, the talented Head Cheffe at Bistro Freddie and co-founder of Suppher, a nonprofit supper club powered by women. Anna shares her inspiring story, from her early days as a cheffe in Copenhagen to her adventures in Manchester and London. Learn about the creation and opening of Bistro Freddie, and discover the mission behind Suppher, where profits from events are donated to charities chosen by volunteers.Website: https://www.suppher.co.uk/shop/p/aiu1mvxdk5xinuigzhdupt2nvhrfot

    Feast for the Eyes: Ollie Eats on his rise as a Food Influencer #09

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 53:26


    In this episode, we sit down with Ollie Eats, a top food influencer, to explore his journey to social media stardom. Ollie discusses how he collaborates with brands, manages agent relationships, and secures sponsorship deals. Tune in for an in-depth look at the world of food influencing and discover the secrets behind Ollie's success in creating mouth-watering content that captivates audiences worldwide.

    Behind the Stalls: Lucy Charles on leading London's largest food market, Borough Market #08

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 42:35


    In this episode, we talk with Lucy Charles, the Operations Director at London's iconic Borough Market. Lucy shares her journey to becoming the leader of one of the city's largest and most beloved markets. We discuss the strong relationships she has built with local producers, the challenges and rewards of managing such a dynamic marketplace, and the latest trends in the food industry.

    Unfiltered conversations with Alex Price, Head of Wine at HAM Restaurants Group #07

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 38:19


    In this episode, we sit down with Alex Price, the Head of Wine at HAM Restaurants Group. Alex shares her knowledge of the wine industry, from her experience at Caprice Holdings to Beaverbrook Hotel and Crispin Restaurant. We explore her unique approach to curating exceptional wine lists, the intricacies of wine pairing, and the trends shaping the world of wine today.

    Shaken or Stirred: Insights from Sotiris Konomi, Bar Manager at The Spy Bar #06

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 35:09


    In our latest episode, we sit down with Sotiris, the Bar Manager at the Spy Bar, located within the luxurious Raffles Hotel. Sotiris shares his journey from crafting cocktails in Greece to managing one of the most sophisticated bars in the heart of the city. Exploring what it takes to create an unforgettable guest experience in a high-end setting. Sotiris also takes us behind the scenes of the Spy Bar, offering insights into its unique ambiance and signature cocktails. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast, aspiring mixologist, or someone who appreciates the finer things in life, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of bartending and the art of mixology.

    Michelin Excellence with Evens Lopez, Head Chef of La Dame de Pic**

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 33:13


    In this episode, we sit down with Evens Lopez, the Head Chef at La Dame de Pic, a prestigious two-star Michelin restaurant, to uncover the fascinating journey that has shaped his culinary career. From his beginnings cooking aboard cruise ships, where he learned to navigate the high seas of flavor and innovation, to his time working alongside culinary titans like Yannick Alléno and Alain Ducasse, Lopez shares the highlights and challenges of his culinary odyssey.

    Brewing Success: Insights from Grind's Chief Marketing Officer, Ted Robinson #04

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 52:48


    Join us as we sit down with Ted Robinson, the Chief Marketing Officer of Grind, to explore the dynamic world of coffee business, innovative marketing strategies in startup, and the entrepreneurial journey behind one of the most beloved coffee brands. From crafting the perfect sustainable coffee pods to navigating the challenges of a post-COVID landscape, we delve into the passion, resilience, and creativity that drive the success of Grind.

    Table for Two: What's new?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 22:35


    Join us for an intimate chat on the latest happenings in the culinary and hospitality scenes. In this episode, we ditch the guests and dive into our own experiences, sharing insights, feedback, and recommendations on the newest restaurant and bar openings.

    A vino conversation with Arnaud Compas of Bedales #03

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2024 46:45


    Our latest episode featuring Arnaud Compas, the visionary behind Bedales Wine Bar in Borough Market. Formerly in the world of Robert Parker and ex-Student of the Master of Wine, Arnaud shares his journey into the wine industry, the art of wine curation, and his vision on wine business.

    Crafting Elegance: A Mixologist's Tale with Florian Thireau from the Peninsula Hotel #02

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 42:53


    Today we seat down with Florian Thireau, Head of Mixology at the Peninsula Hotel London. Uncover the secrets of opening a 5-star hotel, learn about crafting cocktails from scratch, and gain insights into effective bar management. Florian also emphasizes the crucial role of staff in delivering an exceptional bar experience. Whether you're a mixology enthusiast or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is a must-listen for a glimpse into the art and business of high-end bartending.

    Chef Dom Taylor: From Five Star Kitchen to the Langham Hotel #01

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 37:32


    Join us for our first episode as we sit down with Chef Dom Taylor, the winner of 5 Star Kitchen and current head of The Good Front Room at the Langham Hotel. We delve into the world of hospitality, discussing the importance of staff, the art of pastry making, Chef Taylor's latest projects, and the real challenges of burnout in the culinary field. Tune in for an insightful conversation with a renowned chef navigating creativity, leadership, and new ventures in the culinary world.

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