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Send us Fan Mail How does an Italian American raised on Sunday spaghetti become a Farsi-speaking food blogger in Dubai? David Marino, known online as David Shekamoo, talks about his father’s Sunday lunches, volunteering with refugees in Greece, meeting his wife and learning Farsi. He also shares what working at Chick-fil-A and experiencing Persian hospitality taught him about welcoming people. David and Chef JKP discuss the spaghetti video that helped him go viral, exploring Persian food beyond kebabs, and building a community through Food Guys of Dubai. He also shares his advice on honest food reviews and staying consistent as a creator. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE ✔️ Italian American Sunday lunches and his father’s influence ✔️ How volunteering with refugees in Greece changed his outlook ✔️ What Chick-fil-A taught him about hospitality ✔️ Marrying into a Persian family and learning Farsi ✔️ The spaghetti video that helped David Shekamoo go viral ✔️ Exploring Persian cuisine beyond kebabs ✔️ Bringing people together through Food Guys of Dubai ✔️ Honest food reviews and consistency as a creator CHAPTERS 00:00 David Marino on Persian Food, Family and Connecting Cultures 20:22 Volunteering in Greece and Discovering New Food Cultures 35:47 What Chick-fil-A Taught Him About Hospitality 41:09 Marrying Into a Persian Family and Learning Farsi 01:01:04 Starting David Shekamoo and Going Viral 01:10:48 The Problem With Instagrammable Food 01:16:00 Building a Community Through Food Guys of Dubai 01:38:58 Authenticity, Consistency and Advice for New Food Bloggers FEATURED GUEST David Marino Food Blogger, David Shekamoo & Food Guys of Dubai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidshekamoo/ Food Guys of Dubai: https://www.instagram.com/foodguysofdubai/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East: https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE: https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask: https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍽️ #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #davidmarino #davidshekamoo #foodguysofdubai #persianfood #dubaifood Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail How does one birthday cake turn into a career bringing food, fashion and Dubai’s chefs together? Lidija Abu Ghazaleh shares how her Serbian upbringing in Montreal shaped her love for cooking, why she chose a different path after modelling, and how hosting dinners in Dubai eventually led to a catering business. She takes Chef JKP through the early days of Lydia’s Kitchen, including a rejected request to film at COYA that eventually opened the door to chef collaborations. They also discuss why she rebranded to Devour by Lidija and what it took to self-publish Devour, a cookbook featuring 107 recipes. From a broken oven just before the photoshoot to recipe testing, reshoots and two and a half years of work, Lidija shares the challenges behind the finished book. She also reflects on Dubai’s changing dining scene and why creators shouldn’t wait until they feel ready. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE ✔️ The Serbian food traditions that shaped Lidija’s childhood in Montreal ✔️ Why she moved away from modelling and built a career in fitness ✔️ How hosting dinners in Dubai turned into a catering business ✔️ The birthday cake that led to corporate catering opportunities ✔️ Starting Lydia’s Kitchen and getting access to professional kitchens ✔️ Bringing food, fashion and culture together through chef collaborations ✔️ Why Lydia’s Kitchen evolved into Devour by Lidija ✔️ The challenges of self-publishing Devour and bringing 107 recipes to life CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Food Has Always Been More Than a Career for Lidija 08:53 Modelling, University and Choosing Her Own Path 15:17 From Personal Training to Hosting Friday Dinners 26:00 Moving to Dubai and Building a Life Through Food 33:13 How One Birthday Cake Became a Catering Business 38:19 Starting Lydia’s Kitchen and Getting Into Professional Kitchens 54:49 Why Lydia’s Kitchen Became Devour by Lidija 01:07:51 Creating a 107-Recipe Cookbook and What Comes Next FEATURED GUEST Lidija Abu Ghazaleh Creator, Devour by Lidija Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devourbylidija/  Cookbook: https://devourbylidija.com/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East: https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/  AUDIO PARTNER RØDE: https://rode.com/  SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask: https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/  FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp  Website: https://chefjkp.com/  Food is Memories™️ 🍽️ #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #devourbylidija #lidijaabughazaleh #cookbook #foodandfashion #dubaihospitality Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to understand hospitality from every side of the business? Chef JKP sits down with Colin Hutton, CEO and Founder of Umami Comms and Magna Carta, to trace a career that began behind the bar and eventually led to building one of the region’s first hospitality-focused communications agencies. Colin shares how dropping out of university took him through bars, hotels and restaurants across Europe before bringing him to Dubai in 2009. He talks about learning hospitality from the ground up, moving from operations into brand marketing, and spotting the gap that eventually became Umami Comms. They also get into what restaurants often get wrong about PR and marketing, why launches need months of preparation, how Dubai’s dining scene has evolved, and the delivery problem Colin is now trying to solve with Magna Carta. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Why Colin dropped out of university and chose his own path • How working across Europe became his real hospitality education • Moving to Dubai in 2009 and adapting to a completely different market • How bartending competitions took him from operations into brand marketing • The idea that led to launching Umami Comms in 2016 • Why restaurants need to plan PR and communications months before opening • What hospitality brands misunderstand about marketing, PR and staying relevant • Building Magna Carta to improve restaurant delivery margins and performance CHAPTERS 00:00 Childhood Food Memories & Growing Up In Dublin 13:43 Dropping Out Of University & Choosing His Own Path 17:08 Couch Surfing Europe & Finding Hospitality 31:58 Moving To Dubai In 2009 39:34 The Bartending Competition That Changed His Career 49:39 Spotting The Gap That Became Umami Comms 01:03:13 What Restaurants Get Wrong About Launching 01:28:13 Building Magna Carta & The Future Of Delivery FEATURED GUEST Colin Hutton CEO & Founder, Umami Comms and Magna Carta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colin.umami/ https://www.instagram.com/umamicomms/ https://www.instagram.com/magnacartahq/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #colinhutton #umamicomms #hospitality #restaurantmarketing Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build a career when you keep choosing the harder path? Chef JKP sits down with Trisha Henault Singh, Executive Pastry Chef at FIVE LUXE JBR, to talk about her journey from aspiring fashion designer to leading pastry kitchens in Dubai. Trisha shares how she entered hospitality at 18 without ever having worked in a professional kitchen, trained through demanding 12-hour shifts, and eventually moved to Dubai, where her career took her from large-scale hotel openings to producing thousands of chocolates at Bulgari. They also discuss managing teams, why young chefs shouldn’t rush the learning process, mastering the basics, finding your own style, and how Dubai’s pastry and dining scene continues to evolve. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Why Trisha chose hospitality over fashion • What an intensive three-year apprenticeship taught her • Moving to Dubai for a three-hotel pre-opening • Heading the chocolate room at Bulgari • Producing thousands of chocolates while maintaining the same standard • Moving from chocolate into leading full pastry and bakery operations • Her approach to leadership and training young chefs from scratch • Why mastery takes time and young chefs need to find their own voice CHAPTERS 08:34 Choosing Hospitality Over Fashion 15:51 Surviving 12-Hour Shifts At 18 24:39 Moving To Dubai For A Three-Hotel Pre-Opening 31:21 Heading The Chocolate Room At Bulgari 40:12 Moving From Chocolate To Leading Pastry & Bakery 56:20 Taking On FIVE LUXE & Its Eight Outlets 01:08:46 Women In Professional Kitchens & Leading By Example 01:26:25 Why Young Pastry Chefs Shouldn’t Rush Mastery FEATURED GUEST Trisha Henault Singh Executive Pastry Chef, FIVE LUXE JBR https://www.instagram.com/cheftrishahenault/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #trishahenaultsingh #pastrychef #pastry #chocolate #dubai #hospitality Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail From Dubai to Park City, Chef JKP takes the podcast on the road for a special episode from the inaugural Chef’s Table Festival in Utah, bringing together 70 chefs across roughly 100 events. James goes behind the scenes of the festival, from live-fire cooking and pizza parties to the Chef’s Table family meal, alongside some of the world’s most influential chefs. The episode also features a special conversation with Nancy Silverton, who reflects on her journey into food, the importance of the family table, mentorship, changing kitchen culture, and her advice for the next generation of chefs. A special episode about food, people, culture, and the moments that made Chef’s Table come alive in Park City. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • How Chef’s Table Festival brought 70 chefs together in Park City • Why Chef’s Table changed the way chef stories are told • Sarah Akil bringing Middle Eastern flavours to Utah • Inside a live-fire dinner with six different chefs • Dario Cecchini kicking off the Chef’s Table pizza party • What happened at the Chef’s Table family meal • Nancy Silverton on mentorship and changing kitchen culture • Nancy’s advice for the next generation of chefs CHAPTERS 03:52 How Chef’s Table Changed Food Storytelling 06:08 Inside the First Chef’s Table Festival 11:16 Bringing Middle Eastern Flavours to Utah 15:08 Six Chefs, One Live-Fire Dinner 18:18 Dario Cecchini & the Chef’s Table Pizza Party 24:03 Inside the Chef’s Table Family Meal 26:03 A Special Conversation With Nancy Silverton 28:11 How Nancy Silverton Found Her Way Into Food 33:28 Mentorship & the Changing Culture of Kitchens 46:34 Nancy’s Advice to the Next Generation of Chefs FEATURED INTERVIEW Nancy Silverton American Chef, Baker, Restaurateur & Author SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #chefstable #chefstablefestival #nancysilverton #parkcity #utah #cheflife #hospitality #culinaryculture Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Rick Gonzalez, Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, and Florian van Dillen, Head Chef at Farmhouse by Syrco, for two conversations about the experiences, kitchens, risks, and people that shape a chef’s career. Rick shares how growing up around his father’s Spanish restaurant in New York shaped his relationship with food and hospitality. From discovering professional kitchens and training in Switzerland to working in Michelin-starred environments and building an international career, he reflects on the standards, mentors, and decisions that shaped the chef he became. Then, Chef JKP sits down with Florian, whose journey began in professional kitchens in the Netherlands before becoming a sous chef, opening his own restaurant, and eventually making the difficult decision to sell it. He shares what ownership taught him about the business behind restaurants, why great food alone isn’t enough, and what brought him to the Middle East and Farmhouse by Syrco. Together, the conversations explore two very different paths through hospitality and what it really takes to build a lasting career in food. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • How Rick’s father and Spanish heritage shaped his relationship with food • The kitchen experience that made Rick want to become a chef • Training in Switzerland and working in a two Michelin-starred kitchen • Building an international career across different countries and cultures • How Florian entered professional kitchens at just 16 • Becoming a young sous chef and learning how to lead a team • The reality of opening, running, and eventually selling his own restaurant • Moving to Ras Al Khaimah and joining Farmhouse by Syrco CHAPTERS 07:48 The Kitchen That Made Rick Want to Become a Chef 13:09 Moving to Switzerland & Working in a Two Michelin-Star Kitchen 21:15 Building a Global Career Through Four Seasons 48:32 Moving to the Middle East & Entering a New Chapter 01:20:10 The Lessons Rick Took From a Lifetime in Hospitality 01:40:50 Florian: Starting in Professional Kitchens at 16 01:49:32 Becoming a Sous Chef & Learning to Lead Young 01:57:41 Opening His Own Restaurant 02:11:30 Why He Decided to Sell the Restaurant 02:23:07 Moving to Ras Al Khaimah & Farmhouse by Syrco 02:36:03 How the Middle East Dining Scene Compares to Europe FEATURED GUESTS Rick Gonzalez Executive Chef The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert https://www.instagram.com/chefrickg_/ Florian van Dillen Head Chef, Farmhouse by Syrco The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert https://www.instagram.com/byflipp_uae/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #rickgonzalez #florianvandillen #farmhousebysyrco #cheflife #hospitality #culinarycareer #finedining #rasalkhaimah Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Arva Ahmed, Co-Founder of Frying Pan Adventures, for a conversation about food, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and the cultures that have shaped Dubai’s food scene. Arva shares how her relationship with food evolved from childhood memories in the UAE to running a late-night food business from her university dorm in the US. After returning to Dubai, she began exploring the smaller restaurants and communities that were largely missing from the city’s food conversation, eventually turning that curiosity into Frying Pan Adventures. She also opens up about building the business through years of experimentation, the impact of appearing on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, and why she stopped waiting for her dream food show to happen and created Ditch the Silver herself. They also explore how Dubai’s food scene has evolved, what makes great food storytelling, and why understanding the audience matters when creating content. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Growing up in Sharjah and Dubai and her earliest food memories • Running a food business from her university dorm • How food became a way to connect with people • Why she wanted to change the narrative around Dubai’s food scene • Building Frying Pan Adventures and learning through experimentation • The impact of appearing on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil • Why she stopped waiting for her dream food show and created Ditch the Silver • What makes great food storytelling and content CHAPTERS 00:00 Growing Up With Food In The UAE 18:44 Starting A Food Business From Her University Dorm 35:35 The Idea Behind Frying Pan Adventures 44:19 The First Food Tour & What Went Wrong 49:23 Building Frying Pan Adventures 01:09:10 Appearing On Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil 01:25:18 How Dubai’s Food Scene Has Changed 01:42:24 Advice For Food Creators FEATURED GUEST Arva Ahmed Co-Founder, Frying Pan Adventures https://www.instagram.com/arva.ahmed/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #arvaahmed #fryingpanadventures #ditchthesilver #dubaifood #foodculture #foodstories #entrepreneurship Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Greg Wright, Co-Founder of Food People and Project People, for a conversation about recruitment, entrepreneurship, the food industry, and building a business in the Middle East. Greg shares how he left the UK at 19 and arrived in Dubai with no job, went from struggling to afford a meal to selling millions in real estate, and eventually found his way into executive recruitment. He also reveals how one unexpected meeting led to the creation of Food People, why relationships became one of the company's biggest advantages, and how AI is now changing the way they recruit talent around the world. They also explore what employers really look for when hiring, the mistakes people make on their CVs, how Dubai's food scene has evolved, and why communication, accountability, and curiosity remain some of the most valuable skills in any career. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Growing up in Coventry and his earliest food memories with his Italian grandmother • Leaving the UK at 19 and starting from scratch in Dubai • Going from real estate to executive recruitment • The unexpected meeting that sparked the creation of Food People • Building a recruitment business across the entire food supply chain • How Food People survived the pandemic without making redundancies • What employers actually look for in a CV and interview • How AI is changing recruitment and candidate screening CHAPTERS 09:58 Moving To Dubai At 19 13:44 From Struggling To His First Major Real Estate Deal 22:28 Moving To Australia & Discovering Executive Search 37:06 How Food People Started 51:51 Surviving The Pandemic As A Business 57:22 What Makes A Great CV 01:06:02 How AI Is Changing Recruitment 01:32:51 Advice For Anyone Entering Recruitment FEATURED GUEST Greg Wright Co-Founder, Food People & Project People SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is Memories™️ 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #gregwright #foodpeople #recruitment #foodindustry #hospitality #entrepreneurship #leadership #dubai #uae Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Karin Drane, founder of Curveball Events & Talents, one of the region's leading event and talent management companies. Karin shares how she went from studying law in Sweden to building a business in Dubai, why she dropped out of university twice, and how networking, resilience, and taking calculated risks helped shape her career. They talk about entrepreneurship, events, talent management, leadership, building high-performing teams, and what it really takes to succeed behind some of the Middle East's biggest productions. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Childhood food memories growing up between Sweden and Spain • Why she dropped out of law school and moved to Dubai • Studying hospitality before choosing entrepreneurship • Building Curveball Events from a single opportunity • What really happens behind major corporate events • Managing some of the region's biggest personalities • How to build and lead high-performing teams • Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, creators, and talent CHAPTERS 06:12 Growing Up In Sweden & Spain 15:12 Leaving Law School For Dubai 22:18 Studying Hospitality & Choosing Entrepreneurship 39:14 Building Curveball Events 53:28 What It Takes To Manage Talent 01:02:41 How To Build A High-Performing Team 01:15:02 The Future Of Events In The UAE 01:28:22 Quick Fire Questions 01:34:08 Advice To Her 16-Year-Old Self FEATURED GUEST Karin Drane Founder, Curveball Events & Talents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karindrane/ Curveball Events & Talents: https://www.instagram.com/curveballeventsandtalents/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is memories. 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #karindrane #curveballevents #eventmanagement #talentmanagement #leadership #entrepreneurship #dubai #hospitality #business  Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Paul Clifford, a journalist and editor who has spent more than a decade covering the Middle East's hospitality industry. Paul shares how he left banking to become a reporter, moved from crime journalism into food and hospitality, and built his career in Dubai. They talk about restaurant reviews, food influencers, responsible criticism, career change, and why journalists should never make themselves the story. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Growing up in northeast England and the food that shaped his childhood • Leaving a banking career to become a journalist at 27 • Reporting crime and the lessons it taught him about people • Moving to Dubai and building a career in hospitality media • Launching Gault&Millau in the Middle East • The difference between restaurant critics and food influencers • Why credibility matters more than popularity in journalism • His advice for aspiring journalists and storytellers CHAPTERS 00:00 Childhood Food Memories 10:10 Why He Left Banking For Journalism 22:47 Reporting Crime And Learning To Tell Stories 48:22 Moving To Dubai And Starting Again 01:08:36 Building A Career In Hospitality Media 01:34:37 Food Critics vs Food Influencers 02:14:23 Why He Left After Eleven Years 02:27:01 Advice For Young Journalists 02:38:31 Quick Fire Questions 02:47:05 Advice To His 16-Year-Old Self FEATURED GUEST Paul Clifford Journalist, Editor & Entrepreneur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdclifford/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is memories. 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #paulclifford #journalism #hospitality #restaurantreviews #foodmedia #gaultmillau #storytelling #dubai #hospitalityindustry Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Nicolas Lambert, Senior Executive Pastry Chef at Four Seasons Dubai and one of the most respected names in modern pastry. From growing up in his parents’ bakery in France to leading teams across Hong Kong, Russia, and Dubai, Nicolas shares the risks, mentors, and decisions that shaped his career. They discuss apprenticeship, leadership, competitions, learning English from scratch, and why mastering the fundamentals still matters more than chasing recognition. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Growing up inside his parents’ bakery in France • Choosing pastry instead of following his father into baking • The five-year apprenticeship that shaped his career • Learning inside some of France’s most demanding pastry kitchens • Moving to Hong Kong without speaking English • Becoming Asia’s Best Pastry Chef • Leading pastry teams across Hong Kong, Russia, and Dubai • His advice for young chefs building a lasting career CHAPTERS 05:19 Choosing Pastry Over Baking 06:28 The Five-Year Apprenticeship That Shaped Him 09:27 Leaving Home And Building His Career Across France 22:30 The Decision That Took Him Beyond France 30:18 Becoming Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 33:33 Russia, Dubai And Leading Global Teams 45:46 Competitions, Preparation And Advice For Young Chefs 48:02 Why Young Chefs Need Patience And Strong Fundamentals 58:13 The Kitchen Mistake That Changed His Leadership FEATURED GUEST Nicolas Lambert Senior Executive Pastry Chef, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolas_lambert/ SEASON 13 PARTNER This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle East https://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/ AUDIO PARTNER RØDE https://rode.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Chef JKP Thermos Flask https://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkp Website: https://chefjkp.com/ Food is memories. 🍸 #chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #nicolaslambert #pastrychef #modernpastry #fourseasonsdubai #asiabestpastrychef #pastryarts #cheflife #culinaryleadership Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Season 13 of The Chef JKP Podcast is built around one idea: influence. Across 15 episodes, chefs, founders, journalists, operators, and industry leaders share how they have shaped food, hospitality, business, and culture. In this opening solo episode, Chef JKP introduces the season, reflects on the current state of hospitality, shares updates from behind the scenes, and answers listener questions on leadership, career risks, branding, resilience, creativity, and the future of the industry. This is where Season 13 begins. What You’ll Hear in This Episode • Why influence is the central theme of Season 13 • What to expect from the 15 guests featured this season • The current challenges facing hospitality in the region • What separates a good chef from a great leader • Why career risks can become defining decisions • How chefs can stay relevant in a fast-changing industry • The role of resilience, curiosity, and consistency in success • Why human connection will remain essential in the future of hospitality Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Season 13 01:57 A first look at this season’s guests 06:49 Hospitality, industry updates, and life behind the scenes 11:17 Why influence became the theme of Season 13 13:32 Listener Q&A begins 18:14 What separates good chefs from great chefs 30:12 Hospitality, leadership, and the future of the industry 52:12 The message behind Season 13 Season Sponsor – Elle & Vire Professionnel This season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship. https://www.elle-et-vire.com/int/en/pro/ Audio Partner – RØDE The Chef JKP Podcast is recorded using RØDE microphones and audio equipment, delivering the sound quality behind every conversation. https://rode.com/ Support the Show Stay hydrated with the official Chef JKP Thermos Flask. Get yours here: https://pay.ziina.com/chefjkp/RKwVHDfpN Follow Chef JKP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco Food is memories. Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail This episode is different. Joining him is the person who knows him better than anyone else, his wife, Maria Knight-Paccheco. What begins as a fun conversation quickly becomes one of the most personal episodes of the podcast. They talk about marriage, life behind professional kitchens, the sacrifices hospitality demands, why chefs think differently, the reality of building something together, and the moments that shaped both of them. Maria turns the tables and asks James the questions nobody else has. From Michelin dreams and career regrets to family, legacy, fatherhood, restaurants, and what success really means today. It is an honest conversation about love, resilience, hospitality, and why the dinner table still matters more than ever. WHAT YOU WILL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Why James believes the podcast is never about the host • The realities of being married to a chef • The career moments that still hurt and the dreams still left to chase • How hospitality shaped their relationship • Why "Food is memories" became more than just a tagline • The importance of family dinners in a digital world • Building a life together through difficult seasons • Legacy, leadership, purpose, and the future of hospitality CHAPTERS 00:00 A Special Episode With Maria Knight-Paccheco 09:20 Maria Takes Over As Host 23:00 The Truth Behind Building The Podcast 36:50 The Career Moments That Still Hurt 47:10 What Success Means Today 56:00 Why Food Still Brings People Together 01:00:00 The Future Of Hospitality And Why Chefs Matter 01:05:00 Maria's Childhood Food Memories 01:10:00 What It's Really Like Being Married To A Chef 01:24:00 Marriage, Communication And Final Reflections FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco Follow Maria Knight-Paccheco Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mariaknightpaccheco/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-knight-pacheco-2b790260/ PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY VALRHONA Valrhona partners with chefs and artisans to elevate chocolate through craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to a more sustainable cocoa industry. Website: https://www.valrhona.com/en/valrhona-middle-east-africa-and-india SUPPORT THE SHOW Stay hydrated with the Chef JKP thermos flask. Get yours here: https://pay.ziina.com/chefjkp/RKwVHDfpN Food is memories. 🍸 Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Ariana Bundy, chef, author, television presenter, and founder of Ariana's Persian Kitchen at Atlantis The Royal Dubai. Ariana shares her journey through Iran, Switzerland, New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, and Dubai. From childhood food memories with her grandmother, to studying at Le Cordon Bleu, running pastry kitchens in Hollywood, writing cookbooks, filming across Iran, and opening a restaurant rooted in Persian heritage. They talk about food memories, Persian cuisine, television, motherhood, health, hospitality, and the responsibility of preserving culture through food. This is a conversation about identity, resilience, storytelling, and how food can carry memory across generations. WHAT YOU WILL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Ariana's childhood food memories and her grandmother's kitchen • Growing up between Iran, Switzerland, New York, London, and Paris • How Le Cordon Bleu made her feel like she finally belonged • Running a pastry kitchen in Hollywood straight after cooking school • Writing cookbooks and rebuilding recipes without gluten or dairy • Filming her National Geographic series across Iran • The story behind opening Ariana's Persian Kitchen in Dubai • Persian tea, wellness, food memories, and advice for young chefs CHAPTERS 00:00 Childhood Food Memories And Growing Up Between Countries 07:00 Studying Business While Dreaming Of A Creative Life 11:20 The IHOP Conversation That Changed Everything 13:20 Finding Her Place At Le Cordon Bleu 17:00 Running A Hollywood Pastry Kitchen In Her Twenties 24:00 Burnout, Food Intolerances And Writing Her First Cookbook 30:05 Why She Bet Everything On Persian Food And National Geographic 40:05 The Phone Call From Dubai That Changed Her Life 50:20 Building Ariana's Persian Kitchen At Atlantis The Royal 59:55 Persian Food, Saffron, Wellness And Ancient Food Wisdom 01:12:10 Why Persian Cuisine Deserves A Bigger Place On The Global Stage 01:27:00 Advice For Young Chefs, Entrepreneurship And Life Lessons FOLLOW THE GUEST Ariana Bundy Instagram https://www.instagram.com/arianabundy/ Ariana's Persian Kitchen https://www.instagram.com/arianaspersiankitchen/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY VALRHONA Valrhona partners with chefs and artisans to elevate chocolate through craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to a more sustainable cocoa industry. Website: https://www.valrhona.com/en/valrhona-middle-east-africa-and-india SUPPORT THE SHOW Stay hydrated with the Chef JKP thermos flask. Get yours here: https://pay.ziina.com/chefjkp/RKwVHDfpN Food is memories. 🍸 Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE

Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Glen Ballis, chef, restaurateur, and one of the most influential figures in modern hospitality. Glen shares his journey from a Greek family in Melbourne to leading kitchens across Thailand, Indonesia, China, Russia, and Dubai. He reflects on the chefs who shaped him, the lessons that came from failure, and how different cultures transformed the way he cooks and leads. They talk about opening restaurants, surviving financial crises, building teams, the realities of running hospitality businesses, and why great food will always be about product, simplicity, and people. This is a conversation about resilience, leadership, travel, and a lifetime spent chasing great food. WHAT YOU WILL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Growing up in a Greek household and the food memories that shaped him • Why a dream of becoming a professional cricketer led him into kitchens • The tough lessons learned in Australia's restaurant industry • Moving to Thailand and the leadership mistake that changed his career • Building restaurants across Asia and adapting to different cultures • Opening concepts in Moscow and spending more than two decades in Russia • The philosophy behind INA and cooking with fire in Dubai • Why chef-led restaurants and great produce are the future of hospitality CHAPTERS 03:31 Childhood food memories, Greek family traditions and his mother's cooking 11:58 From aspiring cricketer to finding his place in professional kitchens 17:52 Moving to Thailand and the leadership lesson that changed everything 27:31 Indonesia, Malaysia and how Asia shaped his cooking style 37:31 Moscow, Novikov and building a career in Russia 47:03 Financial crises, sanctions and the rise of local produce 56:34 Why he moved to Dubai and the philosophy behind INA 01:15:15 Masters of Fire, the future of restaurants and chef-led hospitality 01:29:29 Quick fire round 01:41:05 Advice for young chefs entering the industry FOLLOW THE GUEST Glen Ballis Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glen_ballis/ FOLLOW THE BUSINESS Fundamental Hospitality https://www.instagram.com/fundamentalhospitality/ J1 Beach Dubai https://www.instagram.com/j1beachdubai/ FOLLOW CHEF JKP Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-knight-paccheco-447b1b17 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesknightpaccheco PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY VALRHONA Valrhona partners with chefs and artisans to elevate chocolate through craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to a more sustainable cocoa industry. Website: https://www.valrhona.com/en/valrhona-middle-east-africa-and-india SUPPORT THE SHOW Stay hydrated with the Chef JKP thermos flask. Get yours here: https://pay.ziina.com/chefjkp/RKwVHDfpN Food is memories. 🍸 Support the show Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE