Menu

My most excellent guest is, Chef Dom, aka Dominic Taylor. Best known as the winner of Five Star kitchen - Britain's Next Great Chef - on Channel 4 and Netflix. And his recent residency at The Langham, where he showcased the fantastic Good Front Room.  Dom and I talk about his fine dining work with traditional Carribean meals. How he's looking to change the game and not play it safe. And how he's paving the way for a whole new generation of top Carribean fine dining avant-garde chefs. Legendary stuff! We also talk about his food memories as a child, who influenced him as a chef. And why making history with Carribean food means so much to him. In this episode I also talk about the brilliant BBC food show called The Food Chain. And I have my say on chocolate put in the fridge and freezer, not the cupboard! I'll fight anyone who thinks I'm wrong, ha!  Enjoy the episode - get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week's brilliant guest is Daneash restaurant owner and chef who creates tasty food via 'Daneash taste of the Carribean.'  We talk about his food memories from back home in Jamaica. How what seems like the whole of his family can cook really well. And how his grandmother made sure he could cook, clean, wash and iron, so he wasn't taken advantage of by a woman, ha! Granny knows best. We also talk about his ambitions for restaurants in the UK and in Jamaica. In this episode I also talk about the brilliant food app Too Good to Go. And my beautiful experience shopping in Sainsbury's during lockdown. I actually loved it. It's up there in my fave lockdown memories. Enjoy the episode - get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week's superb guest is Lorraine Copes Founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality. A not-for-profit organisation with a mission to accelerate racial equality in the hospitality sector. We talk about the good work Lorraine does. Why it's so important, and how she got into the hospitality business. Lorraine also talks about the good home-cooked Jamaican food she ate growing up. And we talk pet peeves in restaurants, weird food combos, and how an escape route is needed for a potential food date disaster, ha!  In this week's show I talk about THAT Burger King advert - you know, the one with the guy in the rucksack eating a burger. Yes, it is weird, but it actually makes sense. I also chat about Love Island, and how a person who ticks all the boxes is referred to as a set menu! I know! These young-uns, eh. Although I kinda like the set menu thing, ha! Enjoy the episode - get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My fantastic guest this week is Liam part of the foodie podcast duo responsible for Breaking Bread! A podcast that celebrates the wonderful dynamic food scene in Birmingham. Liam and Carl do a great job of spreading the word and their enthusiasm about Birmingham culinary scene. We talk about Liam's time in hospitality, growing up eating sumptuous Irish food with his family, the strong ties he has to Ireland as a Brummie. Along with his pet peeves in restaurants, weird food combos, and his dislike of fake cherry blossom trees, haha! In this week's show I tell you about the wonders of a twice baked biccie (it magnificent). And I give you the lowdown on Afternoon Tea at Caffè Concerto. Enjoy! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My superb guests this week are Giorgio and Alessandro from Amore restaurant in Moseley, Birmingham. We had such a good chat! They're full of character, stories and good vibes, including the rivalry between them and northern and southern Italy. Ha! We talk expansion plans, how they met, and of course pizza! I also talk about my mom's charitable act with ice cream. Then HAD to add that ice cream Instagram post which took social media by storm! Yes it's that one with the girl from up north. Haha! In this episode I say goodbye to one of my favourites, Cote in Mailbox, Birmingham. Which was my food date location of the past. You served me well Cote. Gone but never forgotten. Haha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My fantastic guest this week is Louise Kissack. Lou is not only a food consultant she also does a great job running Liverpool Food Network. We talk hospitality, helping foodie startups, food (of course) and lots in between. I go down memory lane and ask Lou what her favourite food was a child, and who made those great dishes! Which is when I get whisked away to Australia where Louise grew up! So good to hear about food stories from elsewhere. We also have a chat about her aspirations for Liverpool Food Network. Also, in this episode, I chat AI and food. Got a good tip for ya if you're stuck for something to eat and have random bits in the cupboard/fridge! I also talk about when you know that love has gone into food, and how much of a difference it makes to what you're eating. I had that experience recently at Tamu, an famous brunch eatery on Bearwood High Street. Superb! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My superb guest this week is Dan Nash, brand supermo in the hospitality space. Dan started out in the music industry before he decided hospitality, branding, and story telling was for him! We chat about how he got into doing what he does. And he tells me all about his love for food from East Asia - he even runs an Asian cooking club. But, if you ever go out for a meal with Dan, be prepared for seaweed all over your food. Ha! It's his thing. We also talk food memories. And why as a kid, he only ate McDonald's. His mom was concerned and took him to the doctors to find out what was wrong. Ha! Also in the episode, I share my food gift joy. And...I ask are you someone who reads the menu before going to the restaurant? If so, then there are 5 things you didn't know about yourself! Listen to get the lowdown. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my guest is the brilliant Sasa Cromack, who's a Matron working for the NHS, Blood and Transplant. Sasa and I talk food and blood! We chat about the kind of foods you need for top notch blood, particularly if you want to be a regular blood donor - as I am. We also talk food memories, her raw food fetish (with a side of mayo) ha. And her partner's party trick, which, I have to say I was impressed by. It would have swung it for me, ha. I chat about food smells. Because of a recent experience where food and smell on public transport meant I needed a lie down after. And on a brighter note I review a gorgeous authentic Italian! Cia Bella. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the superb Hannah Todd from The Interesting Eating Company in Liverpool. Hannah gives us the lowdown on how she got into hospitality. And how she very much considers her eatery to be a people business, with customers front and centre - caring about their dietary needs. Hannah's proudly created an inclusive space for her team and her customers. And regularly runs a death cafe' for those who need to talk about, or just get comfortable with the topic and all it brings. The death cafe' came about when Hannah's mom died and the aftermath of covid. We also talk about back in the day food memories, and generally about what Hannah considers to be good grub! Also, in the show, I get my rant on and give Farmfoods a piece of my mind, ha! How dare they use the slogan “There's a farm foodie in everyone.” There shouldn't be! The majority of the food they sell is ultra-processed, high fat, high sugar, high salt...the list goes on. Anyway, let me calm down. Let's move onto good ol' Alison Hammond. Who talks food, joy, recipes, culture and sharing. All my favourite things. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my brilliant guest is the one and only Chef Robbie, who is making history by being the youngest guest on Menu podcast! Whoop! Chef Robbie (who I met with his mom Jess) told me all about how he cooks up a storm in the family kitchen. He was inspired to cook after lockdown by the Anime character Sanji, from the cartoon One Piece. And once he got his cooking knives for Christmas, well that was it, Robbie was unstoppable. He makes ramen, schnitzel and lots of other tasty meals for the family. Robbie was an absolute joy to interview and we both could not stop laughing and his description of a mallet. Listen out when he talks about making a schnitzel. It's joyous! Haha! Thanks again to Robbie's mom Jess for her help with the interview. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My fantastic guest this week is Lee Hollington, Head Chef at B:eats in Symphony Hall, Birmingham. We talked all things food and had a laugh along the way. Lee's famous Brummie Bacon Cake was featured on the BBC 1 Hairy Bikers TV programme (Christmas edition) and were inspired by his loving Grandad who was a chef in the army. Lee's grandad made him want to be a chef, with stories of cooking for and feeding the troops, which entertained Lee when he was a kid. We also talk about his famous pot noodle sandwich and a fajita eating date, haha! Given all the good stuff I'd heard about the Brummie Bacon Cake, me and a friend had to try it! Listen to our review. I also talk deep fried toothpicks! Yes, you read that right, deep fried toothpicks! Apparently they're a trend in South Korea. People are eating them with seasoning, of course (sigh). Tik Tok craze. I know! Anyway, forget that and get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my brilliant guest is Tony Elvin, General Manager of Touchwood in Solihull, West Midlands and The Wine Events Company. Tony tells us how his hospitality journey began. And how his chatty nature at school, where he says he drove the teachers mad, was a good sign that he was a people person! So a career in hospitality made perfect sense. He also talks about food and dates, food memories, and his weird food combo of a lasagne sandwich with secret sauce aka salad cream, ha! It was a real pleasure talking to Tony. A nice chatty guy who clearly loves what he does! In this episode I talk about New Year Resolutions (kinda). And... food trends for 2024! What will we be eating this year? I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say....Food - haha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

It's a festive Christmas and New Year edition this week! I cover a Christmas lunchclub, the Christmas sandwich from M&S, and a starter from a dinner I went out for during the Christmas period which was absolutely sensational! Also, there's a quick 2024 Happy New Year message for ya'll. Keep listening in the year ahead for more great guests, topics and feel-good food joy. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the brilliant Kieron Bailey! He's co-owner of Otolo - who develop, support & retain the hospitality workforce! Kieron's also a host, speaker and all round positive good energy guy! We talk about how he got into food and drink. What motivates him in his work, childhood memories...one word for you eggs. Haha! And how his late mom's warm-hearted people skills helped him and his career. In this episode I chat about the Disney film Ratatouille. And talk about food waste and Master Chef: The Professionals. I also, made my first visit to Midlands Hospitality Network last month. Enjoyed it! It's run by Conrad Brunton (a former Menu podcast guests). I'll be there next year too, they've got some great speakers lined up! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my brilliant guest is Chef Darren! Yes, that's what he calls himself and so do I, ha! His full name and title it's Darren Liew, a Culinary Director, who is a chef Blue Jasmine - South East Asian Fine Dining. We have a good natter about Darren's Malaysian back and upbringing. Find out who inspired him to get into cooking, what his food memories are, and his mission to spread the word a tastes of South East Asian food across the world! Oooh, I can taste this food as I type. Then I head to Mexico, kinda, as I talk about Eva Longoria's food and travel programme Searching for Mexico. Definitely worth a watch on a Sunday evening! I also talk about AI, dating and food. Would you let an AI dating app write your responses and food conversations to a would-be date? I certainly wouldn't! My people, I have specific food-related questions. That need answers. I know you understand this about me. Ha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the superb Jem Scragg, a personal trainer who incorporates food, nutrition, performance and wellness. He works with clients who are supa dupa busy and want to keep themselves fit, healthy and keep to their goals. Jem's company Nirvu, is all you need if your busy as hell and want top tier training with a holistic approach. Also on the podcast, I get myself on 1xtra. Telling my food dating story of prawn theft from my plate! Listen to me get very animated, yes more than usual, and spill the beans on a first date that didn't make it to a second one, ha! Also, late to the party I know, but I watched the Disney film Soul. Apart from it being completely brilliant, there was a section where food - pizza infact - was smelt and tasted for the very time! It was a brilliant piece of the film. So much so I did a section in the podcast about it: had to be done! If you've seen the film and loved that part too, drop me a message on social media - CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean X, and CravenK on Instagram - share your joy! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the brilliant Franciane Tartari. The Queen of the Sugar Embassy and a Sweet Diplomat too, haha! This means nothing to you, but she'll get it. Franciane tells us all about how she became a pastry chef, and what led her to get into that area of food. We also get into her childhood food memories and her obsession with condensed milk! She also reveals her weird food cravings. I was like, what? Really Franciane? Like, seriously! Ha! Have a listen to her weird combinations. I had good fun and plenty of laughs with Franciane - she's a good sport. Also, I give my review of the tv programme Boiling Point. Are you watching that? I love it! Watched it all on iplayer already! Great series - listen to what I have to say about it. Annnnd, I get my scallop on! Yum! You just can't beat a scallop from a good chippy. Listen to my scallop eating delight as I feast on one. If you love a scallop too, drop me a message on social media - CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean ‘X' (eye roll). And I'm CravenK on Instagram. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my superb guest is wellness and nutrition guru, Andy Aston! Andy does his magic at Baxtery Storey, and is full of passion about food as fuel and plant based goodness! We talk about his career journey as a chef and food wellness wonder, as well as his gorgeous food memories with his mom and the food he loved to eat when he was growing up. It's lovely to hear how fondly he remembers his mom who passed away, and the love he felt from her food. Beautiful. I go on to talk about my quirky ways where I pimp up food. Come on, we all do it. Don't we? I also have a chat about a pet peeve of mine when I go to restaurants. We do not like a mucky menus round here - no we don't! Haha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the brilliant Aidan Schwarzer, a fine wine specialist at Tanners Wines. We talk about how he got into the wine business. Why he loves what he does (hello Tanners Wine Tasting Tuesdays, ha!), his career, and of course his food family memories. Pay attention to the Gremlins film reference, it's so weird, haha, but I was following it and got what he meant. A great guy and good to interview. Also! He also gave me a bottle of wine when we met. Loved that! Future guests take note (wink). And he's a talented guy - an artist - he did a portrait of me! I've put it on my social media. Go see it at CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean ‘X' (eye roll). Or on Instagram at CravenK. Also on the show, I make my maiden voyage to Cornwall this summer. I know! Can't believe it's taken me so long to get there either! Me and my friend Laura eat the best of Cornwall during my weekend stay. It was brilliant! Laura's a great tour guide too. Food! Gotta love it! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week I talk to you about the superb Birmingham Restaurant Festival, which came to an end on August 27th. The fantastic super-dupa foodie drama The Bear, and my visit to Lichfield Food Festival for the first time in my life! It's only up the road from me: shocking. Ha! First up, it's my round-up of the Birmingham Restaurant Festival. This summer (if you can call ut that!). Me and my girls headed to the Mailbox, Birmingham, to get our food on in Cote restaurant. Then I take you through the food adventure me and my friend Meena had at Issac's, which was also part of the Birmingham Restaurant Festival. We really enjoyed our dining experience their, the chef, Alexandra the Manager, the environment - it was all great! Finally, hear my verdict on Lichfield Food Festival. Not too shabby. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the superb Adam Hayes! A hospitality and sales professional, stroke survivor, and charity ambassador. Adam's story has high and lows, illness, food, family and friends, grit, and survival! He talks about his hospitality heroes, who inspired him to get into the business, and how his stroke 10 years ago has shaped him and made him more in tune with himself and his work. I really enjoyed my chat with Adam. Very easy to talk to, speaks with knowledge and passion and is a good laugh - nice vibes from Mr Hayes! I talk a bit about my love for a particular episode of The Bear. Come on, we all love Carmy: right?! This tv programme is so inspirational! I love it. They'll be more The Bear content soon! Then me and my gal pals get stuck into food from Cote restaurant, Birmingham as part of the wonderful Birmingham Restaurant Festival. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the brilliant Jason McCrellis, chef and owner of the fantastic Hip Hop Food Shop - the home of hip hop beats and killer eats! I just love his company tag line! Me and Jason chew the fat and talk about who inspired him to be a chef. Hello Lenny Henry, it was you! We talk childhood memories of food he ate growing up with his mom and dad, and the music he associates with cooking. It's beautiful. A great chat with a great guy. Yes Jason! I go on to talk about generosity amongst drinkers. Yes, it's a thing! Ha! Have a listen to what that's all about and drop me a message on social media with your take on it. I'm @CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean ‘X' (eye roll) and @CravenK on Instagram with your opinion. Then me and my friend Meena give you our review of our dinning experience at Issac's as part of the Birmingham Restaurant Festival. Here's a clue we loved it. Loved their chef and their manager Alexandra! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the phenomenal Cherish Finden, currently a judge on Channel 4 tv programme Bake Off: The professionals! Not only is she a highly decorated pastry chef, she's also great to have a chat with as I did in my interview. Cherish's story about how she became a pastry chef is so interesting! Full of grit, determination and menu management even at 8 years-old. We talk food family memories, what baking means to her, and who inspired her. It's a great listen. I then get my grub on and get involved in the Birmingham Restaurant Festival. Listen to my review of my first restaurant visit! Here's a clue, it comes under the ‘would recommend, tab. And finally...are you a sniffer? Haha! Have a listen to the definition of one and then let me know if you are. Drop me a message on social media - CravenK7 on Twitter, I mean ‘X' (eye roll). And I'm CravenK on Instagram. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my brilliant guest is the Vanessa Kelly of 2 Much Passion. She's a food-centred social entrepreneur who has a not-for-profit business. She delivers exciting projects covering training, events and project management. Listen to how her business came about, which stemmed from a family trip to Jamaica which changed everything! And her Caribbean culture came into force. It's inspiring! We also chat food memories and the food/hospitality lessons she learnt from her dad. Also in this episode...hear from the fantastic Trevor Noah! Yes. THE Trevor Noah. It was so good to hear from him. You'll enjoy what he has to say. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My superb guest this week is Chaîne GB Young Chef competition winner 2023, the fantastic Maciej Pisarek. Maciej beat off stiff competition and was crowned winner in May this year, at the final ceremony in London. Having chatted to him, I can see how it happened. Such a brilliant Chef! He been training and cooking up a storm in preparation to compete in Chaîne's world final which will be held in Istanbul in autumn. How exciting! Wishing Mr Pisarek all the best. Go get ‘em Maciej! As well as that we talked about his life in Poland France and what cooking and food mean to him. A good interesting and fun interview - you'll love it. Also, I give you my foodie dating story where the glint in the eye says it all. People, you must look for the foodie glint. Always! It's the only way. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week, my brilliant guest is the cheesemonger of all cheesemongers Mick James of Queso! Mick was a secondary school teacher who quit teaching and followed his passion for cheese, after he was introduced to the cheese world by a friend. He has some great stories, good energy and just has a really nice vibe about him. You'll enjoy listening to him. I'm sure! I get into the summer vibes and talk Love Island (I know, I know - ha!) and food. Also...I want to know about summer eating habits and food in general, cos I think foodie things happen in the summer. Have a listen to what all that means! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with my superb guest Akudo Agokei, a private chef who started his cheffing journey self taught, and is now fully qualified he's knocking it out of the park! We talk about the big changes that led him to becoming a chef and the tricky times that have helped him to become the brilliant chef he is today! In this episode, I road test a new cocktail in a can so you don't have to - thank me later, ha! Had to try it when I saw the words Cherry Long Island Iced Tea on the can. Yum! And I give you the lowdown on a food dating story that knocked me for six! So nice when people come to a date with no agenda and are just there for the good food and chat. Love it! Get your ears into Menu - the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the brilliant Jess Latchford! Not only is she the founder of Waste Knot, but she's also created foraging phenomenon Leading Wild. Jess tells us all about what she does and her passion shines through in this interview. It's good to hear. We also step back in time and talk about her food memories. All I have to say is, this woman is handy with a knife and some offal. Haha! I give you a dating story centred on hard spicy wedges. Yeah, I know, annoying aren't they. Cos they should be soft and biteable, not hard! Never put your trust in a date to make potato based decisions for you: lesson learned. Then we have a lovely little Master Chef UK story where food, family, and beautiful childhood memories collide. Gorgeous. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week I tell you about my foodie trip to Lightswood Park, courtesy of Digbeth Diner. I give an account of my adventure at a foodie event, and get the microphone out as soon as I get in there, haha! It was lovely to soak up the atmosphere. Pure sunshine and good vibes all round. Listen to how it went down in Bearwood's famous Park. After that you must listen to my brilliant guest Chris Connolly of Connolly's Wine Merchant - Arch 13. It was so good to listen to the family history of the place and understand how it all came about. You really don't know the history of a place until you speak to the owner. And I really did. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is BaxterStorey's Lizzie Hennig, a top Nutritionist. She knows her onions...literally! Lizzie gives advice to us foodies who love our food and talks about the importance of lifestyle when it comes to eating well. And...guess what...she loves a naughty potato! Haha! I take a trip down memory lane and remember the days when Spanish onions ruled the land. I'm not sure what's happened to them now. Let me know if you spot one. And then there's my 'how touching' moment. When a Lecturer and hospitality students from University College Birmingham sent me a lovely thank you card for the presentation I gave. It gets me get all misty-eyed. How sweet! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

In this week's episode, I've been chatting to Hospitality and Culinary Art Management degree Students at University College Birmingham (UCB), when I did a talk for them about this very podcast! They got creative ideas for their own food podcast. Some really good stuff suggestions came up. I enjoyed my time with them. I continued my culinary adventures when I met my guest Phil the foodie. We even did the interview over lunch. Well, why not - Ha! And I review what I think is the best wrap ever! Good wrap game Marks and Spencer - loved that chicken Caesar. Finally, I say goodbye to my favourite independent bakery - Ten Four Bakehouse - as they close their doors due to financial pressures. Gotta support the independents peeps, our tastebuds would never forgive us otherwise! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

In this episode I've been out and about, took myself down to Unilever kitchens in Surrey to get involved in the Chaine UK Young Chef Competition! I was invited by Chef Ben Purton. It was a wonderful day, really positive - great bunch of people! The chefs competing and judges were in their element! Was a real hive of activity in the kitchen. The final four chefs are Michalis Kashis from Harrods. Maciej Pisarek from the Savoy. Jason Ramplin from Chewton Glen. And Jacob Taglione from Grantley Hall. Whooop! Congratulations all. Judging the competition was - Andy Aston of Baxter Storey. Cherish Finden from Bake off The Professionals and a Pastry Consultant. Darren Liew of Blue Jasmine restaurant. Franciane Tartari an award winning Pastry Chef. And past winner Jordan Kerridge, a Development Chef at Higgidy. So much great food and chat on the day. It was special! The winner of the competition will be revealed on May 12 at an award dinner at The Hyatt Regency London Churchill hotel. The winner will go on to compete in the world finals, held in Istanbul in October. Good luck to all 4 young chefs! Also...guess what?! A specially made creme egg was created for me by a chef! It was after I was saying how much I hated the horrible, sugary, middle bit last week. Haha! Listen to the review of my personalised creme egg! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my podcast guest is the brilliant Paul Watters! An accomplished well travelled chef who's not only a food columnist, but also a regular on American TV! Paul's doing a great job of spreading his glorious message of  simple, tasty, healthy food! And, as it's Easter, I tell you what you can do with the middle of your Cadbury creme egg - if like me, you're not a fan of the horrible middle bit! Yuk! And while doing the long bank holiday thing, I found myself watching all sorts of films. One of which, was Oliver. So had to include a bit of singing from Food Glorious Food in this week's podcast. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the fantastic Joan Blaney, whose allotment legacy work is in the name of her late husband, a GP, who believed food was medicine. Joan has beautiful, fond and loving memories of her husband and his nourishment food-filled work. She also talks about her food memories when she was a child in Jamaica, and how food and friendship is important in her life. Also, I give you a review of the best pina colada cocktail in a bottle you'll find on these shores. It's absolutely delicious. Truss mi! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

My guest this week is the brilliant Jose' from A La Mexicana. You will love his food stories of food and tequila and how he ended up in Birmingham from his sun-drenched country of Mexico. He gives us the low down on how he came to Bearwood and the superb food and drink combinations he brought with him, as well as discussing the traditional way the food is cooked in his restaurant. And. Can I just say. His son made me the best alcoholic drink ever! Never had anything like it! Also, I give you an Cadbury creme egg hack for those that hate the creamy part of the egg. And I ask, do you feel a way if someone deems you to be greedy on a date? Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my guests are a plethora of peeps all here to celebrate food memories and their fantastic mothers. Happy Mother's Day! We listen to beautiful, funny, poignant and warm stories of my guest's moms in the kitchen whisky up memories for life. Memories from Rosa, Zong, Glynn Purnell, Ben, Povan, Mel, Jason, Michael and plenty of others. Listen to fantastic mom filled memories on this week's episode. Get your ears into Menu, the feel- good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my guest is the brilliant Roger Edwards, an entertainer whose part of a long-standing cooking family. And will have you in hysterics! His food family stories are superb. You'll love it! He's from a long-standing cooking family, and tells us the crazy food adventures he and his cousin got up to in the café they ran at a market (family owned since 1948) in the Black Country, West Midlands. The family memories from Rog are warm, funny and touching. They're fantastic family tales of food joy. In my part of the show, I talk about the Caribbean beverages my Grandad used to make. All hail punch and carrot juice. They were sooo delicious! I can taste them now. I also ask if you're as susceptible as me when it comes to food advertising on telly. If it's advertised in a certain way, I just feel like I want to get onto the Deliveroo app, place my order, and eat it! Get your ears into Menu, the feel- good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

This week my guest is the fantastic Michael Wilkinson, a Sports Performance Chef. Michael tells us about the sports performance chef world, and what he does when working with athletes. After chatting sporty food stuff, we take a wander down memory lane, where he tells us all about the great family meals he had growing up and the love of food. We also have a chat about his pet peeves when going to eat at restaurants. We also have a good laugh about the eating habits of dates we've been on. Haha! Why do people do weird things on dates?! Beats me. And...I do some eves dropping on two builders' lunchtime food requests while I was walking through Birmingham city centre. Haha, their conversation just made me laugh so had to share it with you! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Rosie Wells, a tv presenter and head honcho behind food show Bearwood Bites. Rosie tells us how the show came about and why she's so passionate about the food scene in her community - Bearwood. We also take a walk down memory lane and Rosie gives us a taste of her food tales growing up. Including a stint in Scotland when she was a kid and lived with her gran - cooking up some lovely memories. Great food tales of the past that'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This week's episode also includes a dating story from me, which isn't for the lactose intolerant, haha! I mean who buys someone a milky drink on the first date?! Weird. I also review a sweetie called a staggerback with my friend. Heard of it before? No, nor me. But tried one and liked it. Yum! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Povan Bharadwaj, a freelance chef based in Wolverhampton. Povan tells us his food tales and eclectic journey as a chef and how his background and culture brought him back to his home town. Great family stories around food and great tales of food memories! Povan tells us about his food tales and his eclectic journey as a chef. He also talks about how his background and culture brought him back to his home town of Wolverhampton. And how when he was a kid, the family dog waited for him to come home from football practice so it could eat the KFC bones. Haha! The dog knows This episode also includes a story from my grannies house when my aunty and uncles were experimenting with certain foods, haha! Not sure whose idea it was to eat lemons all day! Crazy. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with everyone talking about the day of LOVE - Valentine's Day! I have interviews with Ben Purton, Rosa Brough, Jason McCrelis, Micheal Wilkinson, Zong Tang. Along with Jose', Povan Bhardwaj, Jeffery Koren and Aduko Agokei. They give us the highs and lows of Valentine's Day with lots of different stories. These tales will make you go “arrrrh". They'll make you laugh. And they make you say “what the hell?! Either way, you'll love this episode. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Zong Tang, a head chef for a top notch golf club in Wakefield. Zong's food story is of a man whose family escaped from a country, was in a jungle in Vietnam, and then got rescued to England! Remarkable! Food was a major part of the whole journey! Just shows what a powerful role food can play in your life! It really is a brilliant and inspirational interview. You WILL love listening to it! This episode also includes a dating story which wasn't a disaster. I know! Had a good one that day with a generous foodie type. It was bliss. Shame the connection wasn't there. Life and love, eh. Food's the only thing you can really depend on. Haha! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Melinder Williams, a nurse and chef who cooks amazing Trinidadian food. Yum! Melinder tells us about how her business came about, her Trini cuisine, and her superb food memories from the Caribbean and the UK. The story of her mom at the restaurant in Hilton hotel in London is funny! Wish I was there. Haha! This episode also includes my food memory of the kitchen table at my granny's house. It served me and the wider family well over the years. Ahhh, such good times at my Grannies house filled with laughter, food, joke and joy! And...I've found some new tortilla crisps! So HAD to do a review about them. Need to share the tortilla love don't I? Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guests, yes that's plural, ha!....I have Ros McAteer a Senior Lecturer at University College Birmingham (UCB) - an education establishment that teaches you all you need to know about the hospitality industry. Ros joins me with her brilliant students, Ines and Nelise. All three guests have superb food stories, telling us about their family memories covering the globe - Ireland, Portugal and Cape Verde! This episode also includes the celebration of marriage and the food it brings, yum! It was my uncle's wedding on Jan 21st, listen to what I had for my starter, main and dessert. And soak up the steel pan vibes from the reception courtesy of my talented cousin! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Ben Purton, a Hospitality Consultant and Executive Chef, who's worked for Harrods and Selfridges. You can also get stuck into my x2 dinner dating story. Where I found out that one man had a very low food dining out limit, haha. Can't believe the x2 dinner was a rule! Also listen to my first ever experience of a cruffin. Yes, the croissant and muffin mash up, I never had it before....until now. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Jeff Koren, a former Sommelier who's now a wine and spirit buyer. Me and my friend Meena met him on a Malta food tour. I know! It's good to talk, eh. I'm also bringing the Malta sun with me in January, and feature my culinary adventures of my food tour in Valletta. It was superb! We didn't just hear about and taste great local food, we also got an interesting history lesson too! Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

Happy New Year Menu lovers! This is the one that's all about the podcast interview adventures of 2022. It's my best bits! Listen to fun and joyous food tales from top chef and restaurateur, Glynn Purnell, Rosa Brough of Seven Fifty Films, Conrad Brunton of Tonic Talent. Along with food memories and restaurant pet peeves from Jack Brabant of Digbeth Dining Club, Nicola Burston of the Drinks Trust, the hilarious Harriet Giles of Dishoom and the brilliant Sam Coulstock from the Institute of Hospitality. And I have the dating food story of the year From Eugine Patterson of Vibez drinks. Not forgetting my dating food disaster gem that is prawn gate! You'll love this 2022 best bits wrap up show. More feel-good food stories this year. Keep listening for fun foodie chat weekly. Let's make 2023 a tasty one! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The Birmingham Christmas Shelter one, where I volunteered at a local charity on Christmas Day. The Shelter provides adults who are homeless or alone at Christmas with a free warm, safe and welcoming place to eat, shower, sleep and enjoy Christmas. With guests Jim the chef, music from Jess the volunteer, Dean who volunteered in the kitchen, and my running commentary of the day. And of course, as always, we have the social share. Enjoy the festive season, and don't forget to....get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Conrad Brunton of Tonic Talent, a speacilist recruitment company within the catering and hospitality industry. Also includes my Christmas food memory when I was a kid. And a little Greggs experience which made me laugh, so just had to record a clip of what happened. And of course we have the social share. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Phil Oldershaw an event host and presenter. Also includes my superb getaway to Malta with my brilliant friend Meena. Listen to the Mediterranean foodie adventures, as I talk you through my food highlights of Malta's culinary delights. And of course, we have the social share. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message

The one with guest Lewis Walker of University College Birmingham. Also includes my dating story and a pizza situation as well as an added extra as I was really enjoying some chocolate. And of course the social share. Get your ears into Menu, the feel-good food podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/karen680/message