The Go To Food Podcast

Go To Podcasts
Go To Podcasts
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

The Go-To Food Podcast is where the world’s most influential chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and critics share the stories behind their craft. Hosted by award-winning presenter Freddy Clode and chef and food writer Ben Benton, this weekly show dives deep into the experiences, inspirations, and “Go-To” favourites that define a life in food. From hidden gems to the restaurants they return to time and again, each episode serves up intrigue, insight, and the untold moments that shaped their journey. With food and drink inspired by their stories, expect stories from the food world, insider knowledge, and a true celebration of food culture at its finest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2d ago

    Alexis Gauthier - I Lost 99% of My Customers Going Vegan, Feuding With Jeremy Clarkson & Why Michelin Is Stuck in the Past!

    Alexis Gauthier spent decades at the summit of classical French cooking, training under Alain Ducasse, earning Michelin stars and building one of London’s most celebrated restaurants. Then he did something few chefs of his generation would dare to do: he removed meat, fish, dairy and every other animal product from his menus. When Gauthier Soho became fully plant-based, Alexis says he lost 99% of his existing customers. In this remarkably candid conversation, he explains why he took the risk, how he rebuilt the restaurant around compassionate French gastronomy and why his greatest regret is not making the change sooner. We also discuss the brutal economics of running a London restaurant, why fine dining may be safer than the middle market, whether Michelin-starred restaurants are finally improving their vegan food and the unexpected challenges of operating an entirely animal-free kitchen, from wine and honey to seaweed and figs. Alexis also looks back on his extraordinary childhood in Avignon, where horse steak cooked in brown butter was an everyday lunch and a glass of horse blood was considered medicine. Funny, provocative and deeply personal, this is the story of a chef who completely overturned everything he had been trained to believe. BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Alexis Gauthier - I Lost 99% of My Customers Going Vegan, Feuding With Jeremy Clarkson & Why Michelin Is Stuck in the Past!

  2. 5d ago

    Cynthia Shanmugalingam - From HM Treasury To Opening One Of London's Greatest Restaurants 'Rambutan'

    This week on the Go To Food Podcast, we're joined by one of the most fascinating figures in British food today: Cynthia Shanmugalingam, founder of Rambutan, the Borough Market restaurant that's redefining how London experiences Sri Lankan cuisine. From studying economics at Cambridge and working at HM Treasury to building one of the UK's most celebrated restaurants, Cynthia's journey is anything but conventional. We dive into the extraordinary story behind Rambutan, from losing her first restaurant site during the pandemic to spending six months travelling around Sri Lanka researching family recipes and village cooking for her award-winning cookbook. Cynthia shares why opening an open-fire kitchen in Borough Market was so important, the realities of running a thriving restaurant in today's hospitality landscape, and why she already has plans for what's next. Along the way, we explore the food that shaped her—from childhood meals in Coventry and her grandmother's cooking to the incredible breakfasts, curries and street food of Sri Lanka. She explains why "rice and curry" is far more complex than people realise, reveals the dishes she'd love to bring to London next, and gives us the ultimate guide to eating your way around Colombo. Plus, we chat meal deals, supermarket pork pies, Borough Market favourites, why oysters might be the most overrated thing on restaurant menus, and the economics behind building a successful restaurant. It's a brilliant conversation about food, family, culture and entrepreneurship with one of the industry's most original voices. BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cynthia Shanmugalingam - From HM Treasury To Opening One Of London's Greatest Restaurants 'Rambutan'

  3. Jul 16

    Jack Stein - Accidentally Deleting Rick Stein's Cookbook, Working As A KP At 12 Years Old & Running Britain's Most Famous Seafood Empire

    What was it really like growing up as Rick Stein's son? This week we're joined by Jack Stein for one of our favourite conversations yet. From washing pots aged 12 and accidentally deleting his dad's first cookbook, to training in Paris, Sydney and Japan before returning to help lead one of Britain's most iconic restaurant groups, Jack tells the stories you've never heard before. We dive into the reality of family businesses, the pressures of carrying one of the biggest names in British food, why Michelin stars were never his obsession, and the lessons he brought back from some of the world's greatest kitchens. Along the way there are hilarious tales of Wimbledon, Padstow, kitchen disasters, late-night bowling, and the drink he'd choose every single time. BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Jack Stein - Accidentally Deleting Rick Stein's Cookbook, Working As A KP At 12 Years Old & Running Britain's Most Famous Seafood Empire

  4. Jul 13

    Josh Emett - The Untold Story Of Gordon Ramsay's Right-Hand Man Who Won Michelin Stars Across Three Continents

    From a remote dairy farm in New Zealand to the most feared kitchens in the world, this week we're joined by one of the greatest chefs you've probably never heard enough about. Josh Emett spent over a decade as Gordon Ramsay's right-hand man, helping lead Michelin-starred restaurants across London, New York, LA and beyond before returning home to build one of New Zealand's most celebrated restaurant groups. Josh takes us inside the reality of life at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay during its golden era, working alongside chefs like Paul Ainsworth and James Knappett, the pressure of chasing Michelin stars, opening iconic restaurants like The Savoy Grill, and the brutal kitchen culture that shaped him. He also shares incredible stories from New York, including running Gordon's restaurants through union disputes, launching Michelin-starred kitchens in America and why working for Ramsay was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. We also dive into what life looks like after leaving one of the biggest names in hospitality. Josh explains how he built a thriving restaurant empire in New Zealand, why he's rethinking how hospitality businesses should be run, and the financial model that's transforming staff culture. Plus, we hear about cooking with Gwyneth Paltrow at her house, judging MasterChef New Zealand, and why Michelin finally arriving in New Zealand is such a landmark moment. BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Josh Emett - The Untold Story Of Gordon Ramsay's Right-Hand Man Who Won Michelin Stars Across Three Continents

  5. Jul 9

    Eddie Huang - From Corporate Lawyer To Drug Dealer To Award Winning Restaurateur!

    Chef. Filmmaker. Bestselling author. Restaurateur. Streetwear pioneer. Former lawyer. Former drug dealer. There aren't many people who have lived as many lives as Eddie Huang. In one of our favourite conversations ever, Eddie joins us for an unfiltered deep dive into the decisions, failures and moments that shaped one of food's most original voices. This is funny, brutally honest and completely unpredictable. We talk about everything from opening BaoHaus and changing the perception of Taiwanese food in America, to why he fell out of love with restaurants before rediscovering his passion for cooking. Eddie also explains why he believes modern food has become over-styled, why "don't fool people with shrubbery" has become his plating philosophy, and what actually makes a great restaurant in 2026. Away from food, the stories are unbelievable. Eddie reveals how getting fired as a corporate lawyer led him to dealing weed on the streets of New York, promoting comedy nights, building clothing brands and eventually creating the career that made him a cultural icon. He also opens up about the making of Fresh Off the Boat, why he hated the TV adaptation, directing films in Hollywood, and what Quentin Tarantino unknowingly taught him while living across the street. This is Eddie Huang at his absolute best: hilarious, provocative, deeply thoughtful and never afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. Whether you're obsessed with food, fascinated by creativity, or simply love hearing extraordinary life stories from extraordinary people, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Thankyou to the Standard Hotel for hosting us for the recording - you can check out more - https://www.standardhotels.com/ BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Eddie Huang - From Corporate Lawyer To Drug Dealer To Award Winning Restaurateur!

  6. Jul 6

    Margaux Aubry - 12 Years Of Naughty Piglets, Getting Fired From Trinity & Becoming Andrew Lloyd Webber's Business Partner!

    Margaux Aubry has quietly built one of London's most influential neighbourhood restaurants. As the owner of Naughty Piglets, she's spent the last 12 years helping redefine what modern London dining can be: brilliant produce, fearless cooking, incredible natural wine and a restaurant that genuinely feels part of its community. In this episode, she joins us to tell the remarkable story behind one of the capital's most beloved independent restaurants. We dive into her journey from growing up in Lyon to arriving in London as a teenager, falling in love with hospitality and eventually opening Naughty Piglets with almost no blueprint to follow. Margaux shares the highs and lows of building an independent restaurant, why she's happier running the business on her own terms today, the famous jambon beurre that has become a London institution, and why Paris still pulls at her heartstrings every time she visits. As always, the conversation is packed with brilliant food stories. Margaux reveals her favourite bistros in Paris, the dishes that defined her childhood, why Comté might just be the perfect cheese, the legendary fox that once became trapped inside the restaurant overnight, and the wild days serving millionaire yacht owners on the French Riviera. We also chat natural wine, London's changing restaurant scene, and why she believes the industry's constant negativity risks putting off the next generation of restaurateurs. BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Margaux Aubry - 12 Years Of Naughty Piglets, Getting Fired From Trinity & Becoming Andrew Lloyd Webber's Business Partner!

  7. Jul 2

    Mario Carbone – Why Michelin Is Bullsh*t, Critics Don't Matter & The Secret Behind Carbone's Success

    One of the most influential restaurateurs of the last decade joins us on the Go To Food Podcast. Mario Carbone, co-founder of Major Food Group, sits down for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from building one of the world's most sought-after restaurant empires to why hospitality should feel more like theatre than dinner. From Queens to New York, London and beyond, Mario shares the philosophy behind Carbone, the power of storytelling, and why every detail in a restaurant matters. We dive deep into the psychology of great hospitality, including the famous "moves" that define the Carbone experience—from the snacks that land on your table before you've even opened the menu to the theatrical tableside service that's become their signature. Mario explains why generosity with the small things creates unforgettable memories, why guests should feel like the star of their own movie, and reveals how Goodfellas inspired the atmosphere inside every Carbone restaurant. Mario also doesn't hold back on the state of the restaurant industry. He gives his unfiltered thoughts on Michelin stars, restaurant critics, why tasting menus have fallen out of fashion, and why restaurateurs shouldn't be ashamed of building profitable businesses. He also shares hard-earned lessons on scaling globally, why alcohol remains essential to the restaurant business model, and what separates restaurants that survive from those that don't. Along the way, we hear stories from Mario's early days working in Michelin-starred kitchens, his obsession with restaurants as a teenager, his favourite places to eat in London, why he believes New York serves the world's best Italian food, and what it really takes to create restaurants people can't stop talking about. This is a masterclass in hospitality, branding, storytelling and building experiences that guests remember long after the last plate has been cleared. BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mario Carbone – Why Michelin Is Bullsh*t, Critics Don't Matter & The Secret Behind Carbone's Success

  8. Jun 29

    Liz Haigh - Why She Walked Away After Winning a Michelin Star, Her Cookbooks Plagiarism Scandal & Building The UK's Best Singaporean Restaurant

    From winning a Michelin star at Pidgin to walking away at the height of her success, Liz Haigh has had one of the most fascinating journeys in British hospitality. In this episode of Go To Food, Liz joins us to discuss her unconventional path from studying architecture and appearing on MasterChef to becoming one of the UK's most celebrated chefs. We dive into the realities of life in Michelin-starred kitchens, the pressures of creative cooking, and why she ultimately chose a different route. Liz opens up about building her own vision through Mei Mei in Borough Market, where she's championing Singaporean food and culture with dishes inspired by her family and heritage. We discuss why Borough Market remains one of London's most exciting food destinations, the challenges of running an independent food business, and how she's introduced thousands of people to authentic Singaporean flavours through her cooking. The conversation also explores some of the most difficult moments of Liz's career, including the controversy surrounding her cookbook Makan and the plagiarism allegations that led to the book being withdrawn by its publisher. Liz shares her perspective on navigating a very public challenge, the impact it had on her personally and professionally, and how she chose to rebuild rather than walk away from the industry she loves. Along the way, we talk about Michelin-star kitchens, burnout, leadership, Singaporean hawker culture, the future of restaurants in Britain, and Liz's favourite places to eat. Honest, insightful, and packed with great food stories, this is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in hospitality. Buy Mei Mei's incredible sauces - https://www.meimeigoods.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopX0SPooHS3c9dSa5dptPACvYeBK2fgvqr3xDVuBCkOIhCZfz37 BUY TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW HERE ON MONDAY 27TH JULY - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/go-to-food-podcast-live-with-chef-adam-byatt-tickets-1992111901323?aff=oddtdtcreator You can book a virtual demonstration with Quooker to find the right setup for your kitchen and remember, until the end of August, if you use the code GO TO FOOD, you’ll get free installation and a free Quooker glassware set. Just head to www.Quooker.co.uk now! Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/ Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Liz Haigh - Why She Walked Away After Winning a Michelin Star, Her Cookbooks Plagiarism Scandal & Building The UK's Best Singaporean Restaurant
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

The Go-To Food Podcast is where the world’s most influential chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and critics share the stories behind their craft. Hosted by award-winning presenter Freddy Clode and chef and food writer Ben Benton, this weekly show dives deep into the experiences, inspirations, and “Go-To” favourites that define a life in food. From hidden gems to the restaurants they return to time and again, each episode serves up intrigue, insight, and the untold moments that shaped their journey. With food and drink inspired by their stories, expect stories from the food world, insider knowledge, and a true celebration of food culture at its finest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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