The Chef JKP Podcast

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In this episode of the ChefJKP Podcast, founder of Aroma Di Olio Magdalena Orzechowska, shares her incredible journey from a corporate career to becoming a health advocate and olive oil expert after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.
She discusses the intricacies of running an olive oil business, provides tips on choosing the best extra virgin olive oils, and shares her passion for educating people on the incredible health benefits of high-quality olive oil.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Growing up in Poland during the communist era and the types of foods available
• Magdalena's educational path and her initial career in banking
• Magdalena's breast cancer diagnosis and how it led her to discover the power of the Mediterranean diet
• Magdalena's journey to becoming a master olive oil sommelier and starting Aroma Di Olio
• Tips on cooking with and consuming high-quality extra virgin olive oil

You can follow Magdalena on HERE
You can see more of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils on HERE
The show is proudly brought to you by Luvv Fits, your go to Gourmet Protein Bar, you can follow them on HERE

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In this episode of the ChefJKP Podcast, Shaw Lash, the chef and founder of Lila Taqueria, shares her culinary journey, starting from her childhood memories of Mexican cuisine to her professional experiences working with renowned chefs.
Throughout the episode, Shaw discusses the intricacies of Mexican cuisine, dives into her transition from being a chef to a culinary producer and touchs on the challenges and successes faced in opening Lila Taqueria.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Childhood food memories and culinary influences
• Transition from politics to culinary career
• Lessons learned from working with Rick Bayless
• Inspiration and journey to establish Lila Taqueria
• The unique dining experience at Lila Taqueria

You can follow Shaw on HERE
This show is Brough to you by Luvvfits - your go to guilt free protein bar, you can follow them on HERE

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This podcast is bought to you by Gulfood - https://www.gulfood.com and Meelz - https://meelz.me
For the last two episodes, we are doing a two-part special on one of the most celebrated and highly decorated chefs of our time.

He is known to most as the godfather of modern Middle Eastern cooking, the one and only Greg Malouf!
http://gregmalouf.com

In the second part, we now discuss all the award-winning books that he has co-written with Lucy Malouf, as well his love of the Middle East.

With so many to chose from , I wanted to delve into which ones were the most tricky to write.The ones he found the most challenging, were Saha, Turquoise, Saraban, as travel books, these are an interpretation, specifically of Persian food, the taste was not the issue, it is how to make it look attractive. It was all about keeping the integrity of the dishes, but it was a way to play around with the cuisine but keeping the respect and the culture.

We also talked about how he feels about Lebanese food, all about how the food has hit a brick wall, he wants to push the boundaries, a new world thinking if you like! What Greg is doing, is to elevate the food up a notch, with always keeping the foundations of a place he truly loves.

Dubai came in the way of an opportunity, he came here to be close to Lebanon, and to cook in the Middle East. He opened a beautiful restaurant called Zahira, the food was a representation of the entire Gulf region, focussing on the produce, ensuring the quality is delivered to his guests. He is also a consultant, for many other projects, and is also embarking on another book.

His life has always been about his love of Lebanese food, the fond memories that are discussed, not just came from his Mum, it also came from his dad who used to go to the weekend markets. His childhood to this day still plays a significant role, whether writing books or menus, it something that he talks about with a huge grin on his face.

Greg has made a huge impact on the culinary world, his books have won awards, his restaurants have won major accolades, the mark on Middle Eastern cuisine is one that will influence the world over.

One of the greatest and humble chefs of our time.

For me, it was one of the most memorable and interesting interviews I have had the pleasure of conducting, thank you Chef Malouf for the opportunity and the time.

To see what he is doing, you can follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gregmaloufchef

Thank you to our partners Gulfood and Meelz, make sure to click on their links at the very top of the page.
Until next time, food is memories!

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This podcast is bought to you by Gulfood - https://www.gulfood.com and Meelz - https://meelz.me

Alannah fell into hospitality completely by accident. The dream was to become a graphic designer, however after realising that it meant sitting behind a desk, it was a that point the decision was made to go into culinary school, the journey began at the tender age of 16!
The College was in Luton, UK, Alannah was shown the A-Z of what it was like to be in this world. In terms of her pastry life, again totally by chance, her presumption was that pastry chefs are not real chefs!
The very first recipe she made, was the famed crème brulee, after that day she never went back into the main kitchen.
Alannah did some work experience in London at the 5 star luxury Royal Garden Hotel in Kensignton, with the brilliant Executive chef Steven Munkley, he would be the one to show her the ropes at the very early stages of her career.
https://www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk
Her first real taste of how tough life can be in the world of the kitchens, would be at the busiest time of the year, when the entire senior pastry team resigned, which meant Alannah was the next one in line manage the whole pastry operation, at the age of 19, that’s not an easy task, however she stepped up, this gave her an experience that she will never forget and a lesson that she still carries with her to this day.
After two years, it was time to take a break, life had a different plan, she got a job in one of the most Iconic hotels in the world – The Savoy. https://www.thesavoylondon.com
Once again, after sending one of the best ever fruit plates to a guest that just so happened to be the group director of Fairmont worldwide, she had sealed her fate, and worked in the Savoy for a further 2 and half years.
On one of the days, Alannah received a phone call from a previous chef, asking if she was interested to go and work in Dubai, after making a quick pit stop from Malaysia, this would be her next move as the Executive Pastry Chef of the Address Dubai Marina.
https://www.addresshotels.com
This would give her an opportunity to run her own team kitchen, compete at the highest possible level, even gaining a world record!

Fate would rear its head once again, this time opening her own business, she took a leap of faith, and went on to supply the likes of Etihad, Costa, Jumeirah, in fact it was selling to over 200 vendors.
5 years down the line it was time to say goodbye, and was tasked to run the entire pastry division of Sarood Hospitality, another gigantic operation which takes military precision.
https://www.saroodhospitality.com
Alannah doesn’t know when to stop, knowing her, she will end up being the head of food evolution for NASA or Tesla, developing recipes for intergalactic travel!
You can follow all of her escapades via Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/alannah_francesca

Alternatively you can contact her on LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alannah-doe
Stay tuned for next week’s show, we talk to someone who is about to push a global collaboration platform!
Thank you to our partners Gulfood and Meelz, make sure to click on their links at the very top of the page. Until next time, food is memories!

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Let's just say that food and hospitality has always been around for Maria Stevens.
Originally from Spain, we all know that the Spanish not only know about great food and service, but they have given us the likes of Ferran Adria, Serrano ham, and notably a world class football league.
Maria started her professional marketing journey by the way of being a restaurant manager, always having to look after what should be on the monthly food and beverage social media calendar.
Always having a passion for delicious dishes and impeccable service, there no better place to be than on the palm in Dubai woking in the award winning Social by Heinz Beck.
Here she was working alongside the team in both the back and front of house as the Food and Beverage Sales Manager.
https://www.heinzbeck.com
After this, she got the opportunity to be the manager of a friends restaurant, where again she not only had to take full responsibility of the business, she also looked after the marketing, which led her to question what career path should she take?
Once the contract had ended, after a well earned break, she then decided to take a course in Digital Marketing, during this time she took on various consulting projects that allowed to have a deeper understanding of the Marketing industry and what it takes to convert campaigns into real customers.
Once the studying was over, Maria took the position of Marketing Manager for the Steigenberger Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai.
https://www.steigenberger.com/en/hotels/all-hotels/dubai/dubai/steigenberger-hotel-business-bay
She managed all of the Food and Beverage for the entire hotel, which is not an easy task in a city like Dubai, but a challenge that Maria took fully in her stride.
At the same time, if this wasn't enough, she is also in charge of the marketing for The Dubai Chef's Collective, this is a completely different ball game altogether, as this time there are over 30 different chefs to manage.
This is one of the projects that she truly enjoys to work on, as each chef brings something different to the table.
https://www.dubaichefscollective.com
There is no arguing that Maria loves her job, and above all she loves all things hospitality, and by the way did I mention she's married to a chef!
On the side Maria is also a Reiki healer, not just for humans but also for animals, another incredible passion.
To see what Maria is doing, not only can you click on the Dubai Chef's Collective page, but you can also follow her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mayulacoquette
Digital marketing is now an integral part of any business, so if you need any advise or a consultant, you now where to find one!

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