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Hi I am Matt FARRELL and welcome to IN THE WEEDS podcast. I am of the ethos that food and drink bring people together and we talk to the people in the industry who follow that believe. I have been in the hospitality business for over 20 years. Being 16 years old on work experience in a Catalonian family restaurant to being co founder of GSG. (graffitispiritsgroup.com) an independent restaurant and bar group in the UK, it has always been my passion. I am now also a freelance food travel writer recently becoming part of the guild of food writers (fazmangoes.com). In The Weeds is a common term used in the hospitality when things are quite simply too much to handle, its where we find society right at this critical point, like anything in life things need to worsen before they get better and triumphing through adversity often sparks a sense of unison. Throughout the podcasts we go in the weeds with some high profile hospitality and entertainment professionals. Raw conversations on travel, life, culture, food and drink and how it can help bring society together. Without this what have we got? Every bodies still got to eat and drink right! So sit back, listen, relax, dream a little and let’s bring some positivity to the table. We also look at mental health factors that have become so poignant due to the ongoing pandemic but ones think is for sure conversation is a tonic to help. We are all in this together! Website: mattyfarrell.co.uk Social: @fazmangoes

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'The Barn' with Ralf Rüller (Berlin)

2021/12/17

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.

'Parlour Unites Local People' with Jonas Anderson + Spaniard Bernabeu (Copenhagen)

2021/11/19

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.

'A Raval State of Mind' with Moe Aljaff (Barcelona)

2021/10/22

This week we are arrive in sunny Barcelona in conversation with a Schmuck to find out the story of Two Schmucks with Moe Aljaff. A story of independents, shoe string budgets, pop ups, collaborations, triumphing through adversity and ultimately coming out the other side. Putting life back into the historic multicultural Raval neighbourhood that is now called home and also his love of the city. Famous to documenting many of the trials and tribulations of owning your own bar on social media, he has catapulted his brand to one of the most recognised online and throughout the industry. A really positive insight into how to use social media an be used as a democratising inclusive platform in a modern world. Moe has lived in many places before residing in Barcelona and we talk about his favourite cultures and travels. This was recorded back in May 2021 and on a busy street in Barcelona haha.

'Home and Away' with Daniel Heffy (Stockholm)

2021/10/08

Throughout this series the focus is all about reaching out and hearing stories from across the globe. As always hospitality, food, cullture and well-being are the focus. Its time to reconnect. We start this series in Stockholm with the young talented chef Daniel Heffy. A native of Liverpool who moved to Stockholm to work in Frantzén (3 Michelin Star) widely renowned as one of the best restaurants on the planet and now for the esteemed restaurant Adam/Albin. We talk and learn about the different ways gastronomy integrates into life, family and culture in Sweden and his time in what is one of the most beautiful cities in the world in the kitchen and reconnecting with nature.

'Time to SHOW up.'

2021/04/09

With the hospitality industry opening back up it's time to talk about the epidemic of NO SHOWS and put them into the history books. An horrendous and almost accepted problem for soo long and a real sore spot for the industry. Something has to change and the guest has to be educated to understand the ramifications, here I am adding to the conversation in trying to explain these issues that have a knock on effect for so many. Post pandemic hospitality must fight back for change (and stay out of the weeds) in some key areas that were crippling the industry and this is right up there at the top!

'All the way from LA' with Josh Kopel

2021/03/18

This week I welcome Josh Kopel to ITW podcast. Josh is originally from Baton Rouge but now calls Los Angeles his home. Josh is an entrepreneur, award winning Michelin rated restaurateur and environmental advocate bringing Southern Hospitality to California. Josh has managed the hottest Hollywood nightclubs, bars, and ultra-lounges and in 2010 went independent, opening his first concept Five0Four on the Walk of Fame in the heart of Hollywood. Ten years later, and he has created a family of brands ranging from Michelin-rated fine dining to fast casual, all with a central focus on Southern hospitality and Southern cuisine. Josh had his world turned on its head a year ago, like many, and we hear his story and fight throughout this pandemic to get the message of support out there. Josh has been busy creating content, hosting the Full Comp podcast (in partnership with Yelp) and getting the word of support out there for the industry, as well as realigning some of his core values.

'Herbalism' with Louise King

2021/03/11

Louise is a herbalist hairdresser and founder of Wilderness Hair. I feel the next few years could be an interesting time for Louise, as more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of a powerful holistic ethos and this is not about standing under a waterfall with some shampoo! If you go to Louises salon you will herbs growing, pots and pans cooking away, so the integration of raw cooking elements really got me really fascinated in her story and ideologies and how this can be integrated into a society with new found beliefs and this ultimately can start at home. Louise is also a twin parent and we discuss the challenge of multiples alongside educating ourselves on her story and passion about the earth and its ingredients.

'Traditions and Expectations' with Oscar Akgul

2021/03/04

This weeks I go ITW with Oscar Akgul, owner of Lucia Restaurants and Cut and Craft Steakhouses with sites in Harrogate, York and soon to be Leeds. Originally from Turkey and traveling the world working on some of the finest cruise liners, Oscar settled in York 22 years ago and has never looked back. After completing a 800k return in their Lucia site in York last February they were then forced to close a month later due to coronavirus but we hear how they have seen great support throughout from the public. A self contest workaholic we hear the challenges faced by Oscar and also the expectations he sets himself.

S3 E4 - 'This is... Life Right Now' with Chanel Cresswell

2021/02/25

I am joined by BAFTA award winning actress Chanel Cresswell, best known for playing Kelly Jenkins in This is England, as well as roles in popular shows The Bay and Trollied. We get an insight into Chanel's personal story working in making it as an actress and working with some great characters in her career so far and we discuss how the arts industry has been suffering over the course of the pandemic and how it can bounce back. Chanel is also a big mental health advocate and we discuss about believing in yourself and the importance of looking out for others and not forgetting of course her favourite places to eat and drink across the globe!

S3 E3 - 'Talking Scran' with Tom Kitchin

2021/02/18

This week I am delighted to be joined by one of Scotlands and the U.Ks most celebrated Michelin star chefs Mr. Tom Kitchin. Tom has held the accolade for 14 years and became the youngest ever chef to be awarded a star at just 29 years old. Tom has some beautiful venues in and around his beloved hometown Edinburgh and he has cut his teeth with some of the best chefs ever to set foot in a kitchen. We talk about all things hospitality, investing in youth, his love for Scotland and also his close affiliation with Liverpool. We also learn of an ITW moment that changed Toms career forever. Tails of positivity and determination grace the episode to come out of this difficult period stronger and fighting fit! *“Scran’’ - for those who do not know is another word for food originating in Scotland and widely used in Liverpool, hence one of Toms venues being fantastically named the “Scran and Scally’’. **The episode was recorded a few weeks ago the morning after the Michelin stars were announced this year.

S3 E2 - 'A Social Perspective' with Ollie Downey

2021/02/11

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.

S3 E1 - 'The Dragon Slayer' with Levi Roots

2021/02/04

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.