The Chef JKP Podcast
James Knight-Paccheco
James Knight-Paccheco celebrates the inspirational stories of people within hospitality, their ups, their downs and everything in between.
What does it take to keep up in one of the most competitive, mentally and physically stressful industries in the world?
Giving incredible insights and advice to the listeners.
For more information go to www.chefjkp.com
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Top 10 The Chef JKP Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Chef JKP Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Chef JKP Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Chef JKP Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Season 7 - Episode 10 - Magdalena Orzechowska
The Chef JKP Podcast
10/17/24 • 88 min
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
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Season 8 - Episode 5 - 2024 Festive Special !
The Chef JKP Podcast
12/19/24 • 115 min
It’s a special festive episode of the Chef JKP Podcast! James Knight-Paccheco spreads the holiday cheer as we celebrate the podcast’s new availability on YouTube and welcome special guests Courtney Brandt and Liam Collens for a lively discussion about what’s next in the culinary world.
With gifts exchanged, festive vibes in the air, and plenty of laughter, this episode dives into the trends shaping 2024, the rise of Emirati cuisine, and reflections on the Michelin awards in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, looking forward into the dining trends in 2025!
Tune in and enjoy:
👨🍳 Festive fun and culinary highlights: Kick off the season with cheerful banter, gift exchanges, and a look at what’s trending in 2024
👨🍳 Michelin’s impact: Celebrate the recognition of outstanding restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and what it means for the region’s culinary scene
👨🍳 Emirati cuisine on the rise: Insights into how local flavors are taking center stage globally
👨🍳 Behind the scenes: Personal reflections from JKP and his guests on press trips, exciting projects, and chef collaborations.
This festive episode is the perfect mix of inspiration, insight, and holiday cheer. Whether you’re interested in culinary trends, Michelin accolades, or just want to soak up the seasonal vibes, this conversation is packed with something for everyone.
- 00:00 Introduction
- 03:02 Gifts and Holiday Cheer
- 03:58 Culinary Trends for 2024
- 09:35 Chef Collaborations and Industry Highlights
- 16:03 Michelin Awards in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- 19:55 Exploring Abu Dhabi’s Culinary Scene
- 27:18 Ryba’s Journey to Michelin Recognition
- 37:21 Best Chef Awards and Industry Perspectives
- 49:49 Remembering Chef Greg Malouf
- 55:42 Challenges in Dubai’s Dining Scene
- 01:07:46 Trends: Non-Alcoholic Pairings and Supper Clubs
- 01:15:27 Future Culinary Predictions for Dubai
- 01:29:37 Memorable Dining Experiences of the Year
- 01:42:13 Advice for Surviving the Festive Season
A special thank you to our sponsors for spreading the holiday spirit:
- Chef Middle East (chefmiddleeast.com)
- No More Bottles (nomorebottles.ae)
- Luvv Fits Gourmet Protein Bars (luvvfits.com)
Celebrate the season in style with our Chef JKP thermos bottles, perfect for keeping your drinks warm this winter. Order now at chefjkp.com or DM us on Instagram!
Follow Courtney or Liam on Instagram.
Don’t miss this festive celebration—follow, share, and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube and all major platforms. Share the cheer by leaving a review and letting us know your favorite festive moment from this episode!
Food is memories.
Enjoy the episode! 🍴
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Sandy Muirhead - No More Bottles !
The Chef JKP Podcast
12/12/24 • 80 min
In this episode of the Chef JKP Podcast, James Knight-Paccheco sits down with Sandy Muirhead, Director of No More Bottles, to discuss the pressing issue of plastic waste and its impact on sustainability.
From Sandy’s roots in Scotland to leading a mission for conscious water consumption in the Middle East, this episode dives into how No More Bottles is revolutionizing the way we think about water.
Tune in to learn:
👨🍳Plastic waste problem: The environmental and health risks posed by plastic bottles and what businesses can do to minimize them
👨🍳Hospitality industry insights: Eye-opening statistics on water consumption in hotels and restaurants and how sustainable solutions can make a difference
👨🍳 Innovative solutions: The benefits of adopting water filtration and purification systems, and how No More Bottles is transforming the way businesses and individuals consume water
👨🍳 Educational initiatives: How Sandy and his team are raising awareness about the importance of filtered water and reducing plastic waste.
This episode offers practical advice and inspiring stories for anyone interested in sustainability, health, and the future of water consumption. Whether you’re in the hospitality industry or simply looking to make eco-conscious changes, Sandy’s insights are a must-hear.
00:00 Introduction
02:23 Sandy’s Journey into Sustainability
18:45 Transition to the Middle East and No More Bottles’ Mission
41:13 Water Consumption in Hospitality
45:11 Health Risks of Plastic Bottles
47:11 Educational Efforts and Raising Awareness
53:30 Filtered Water in Restaurants
01:05:06 Challenges and Future Predictions
01:10:43 Quick Fire Questions
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Chef Middle East (chefmiddleeast.com)
No More Bottles (nomorebottles.ae)
LuvvFits Gourmet Protein Bars (luvvfits.com)
Make the sustainable choice with our Chef JKP thermos bottles, perfect for keeping your drinks hot or cold. Order yours today at chefjkp.com or DM us on Instagram!
Be sure to follow, share, and subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review and share your favourite takeaways from this inspiring episode!
Food is memories! 🍴
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Maria Stevens - The Marketer!
The Chef JKP Podcast
11/11/20 • 33 min
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!
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Chef Troy Payne aka - TROTSKIE
The Chef JKP Podcast
09/30/20 • 54 min
Chef Troy Payne has been in kitchens since the start of his teenage years, so you could say he's been around the kitchen block!
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, who some people call the culinary capital down under, this was the place that would light up and inspire this chef.
As soon as he saw the flames, the heat, the tempers, he knew that the kitchen was the place to be, and so his journey began.
He made his way into some of the best kitchens, by simply going to the backdoor, speaking directly to the chef himself and just asking for work, this was all about determination and passion to be at the very heartbeat of the ever expanding aussie culinary scene.
After working for some big names, Troy landed in the famous kitchens of the legendary Greg Malouf.
http://gregmalouf.com
Working for one of Australia's all time most influential chefs was never going to be easy, however, as any chef with a pure lions heart for learning and wanting to become the best, what do you do? You put in the blood, sweat, and tears to be able to have the invisible badge of honour that so many cooks have today.
Troy worked for Greg for quite some time, to the point that he now calls him, his kitchen dad, they were re-united in Dubai, when they opened acclaimed restaurant Zahira.
A few years down the line, Chef Troy is about to embark on his latest venture - The Pangolin.
http://thepangolindubai.com
This is a project that has been in developed over 3 years, everything has been has been carefully sourced from the decor, to the local produce, the devil is in the details.
It is literally about to open, the excitement is the air, the team are fully engaged, food is being cooked, but let's not forget, all of this was happening during a pandemic.
Troy has a lot to teach, not just his team, but his peers, the knowledge, the recipes,the technical aspects of being a chef, there are so many intricacies, he is not the type of person to keep information to himself, he empowers you by sharing all of the amazing knowledge that he has accumulated over the years.
He is also involved with the Research and Development for the Dubai Chefs Collective, in order to share ideas, recipes, and to form a database of old and new trends.
https://www.dubaichefscollective.com
There is a huge amount to learn from Troy, who is without a doubt a true rock 'n rolla!
To see the type of dishes and all of his experiments, give him a follow, and if you're very lucky, you may see him dancing on his Instastories from time to time!
https://www.instagram.com/trotskie
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Michael Desouza - In-Flight Purser to Professional Chef!
The Chef JKP Podcast
06/16/21 • 40 min
This podcast is bought to you by Gulfood - https://www.gulfood.com and Meelz - https://meelz.me
Michael De Souza was working at Emirates airlines for 15 years, the pandemic came along, he was made redundant like so many people at the time, however he didn’t rest on his laurels, as there was always a passion for food from a young age, so he decided to become a chef. During his time growing up in India, his family owned a bakery, so naturally he grew up around hospitality, he recalls in 1994 when cable was available there were a couple of chefs on TV that would catch his interest even more so.
The first would be a show called Yan Can Cook, by revered chef Martin Yan. https://yancancook.com/home/
The second would be the late great Keith Floyd.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Floyd
The two food shows ignited a spark within young Michael, to taste all of the wonderful food he saw, and to travel, little did he know back then, that this influence would be a huge part of his adult life.
His family wanted to be a doctor, an engineer, he had other plans, to be part of a cabin crew.
He applied and got rejected a total of 18 times, with various airlines for various different reasons. One day the opportunity arose to interview with Emirates, only problem is that there was already 500 people in the queue, most of those with flight experience. Undetered by the 12 hour interview, he gave it his best, and finally got the job!
https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/
During his time and working his way up through the ranks, he learnt a great deal about the various types of foods, how to serve, how to deal with people from all walks of life, it was a great learning process.
Not being the type of person to shy away from a challenge, Michael wanted to push himself further within a leadership role, so he applied to be a flight supervisor, he then went on to become a successful Purser for one of the best airlines in the world.
After a 15 year career, he forced to make lifechanging decision due to COVID- 19, this came naturally as he loved food, but how do you become a chef?
After a conversation with his wife, she mentioned how much he loved food and his interest was always to be a chef, so he enrolled himself into one of the leading culinary institutes in the country – SCAFA!
http://www.scafa.ae
He now is a qualified chef, his apprenticeship began by working at the 5 star luxury hotel ME Dubai, which fast tracked him into working all of the sections of the kitchen, and has taught him the values of what it takes to be a chef in the true sense of the word.
From one extreme to another, Michael without a doubt will go far in his culinary career, as there are no boundaries, his pure passion and dedcication to keep pushing himself to be better day by day is what chef’s always strive for, looking forward to seeing the next phase of his journey.
To see what he is doing, you can follow him on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chefmichaelagnelo/
Stay tuned for next week’s show, we talk to one of the most re-known broadcasters in the region and in the UK!
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!
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Season 3 - Episode 5 - The Caviar Spoon
The Chef JKP Podcast
05/26/21 • 36 min
This podcast is bought to you by Gulfood - https://www.gulfood.com and Meelz - https://meelz.me
Mary or better known to her friends as Pra, is the founder of The Caviar Spoon, a platform that ties different types of brands to collaborate!
https://www.thecaviarspoon.com
Spending over eighteen months to get set up, hasn’t been an easy journey, however, is it about to launch, and let me tell you, is it going to take off in a big way.
Why did she decide to do it? Having spent over twenty years in the world of recruitment and headhunting, the way it came about, was after doing reviews within restaurants and hotels, there seemed a big gap for any types of collaborations, experiences, and a lot of overspending within the digital market.
Essentially, it is matching brands with brands, there are so many opportunities, and the platform is worldwide.
The craziest thing is that there is no-one doing it, so this is the very first of its kind.
Competitors have not always seen eye to eye, however there are always opportunities to works with brands that you never even thought would be possible, as an example Coors recently partnered up with National Geographic, they created a YouTube series, you can read all about it in the link below.
One of the interesting things that Pra also discusses, is how hospitality as whole can reap the financial rewards in terms of experiences. The pandemic has now caused us to want more of the human connection and we are all craving incredible experiences, this is how business can have the upper hand.
One of the key things, when starting a business on your own, is also about the sacrifices that have to be made in order to succeed, there will always be people who will doubt and critise what you do, but the most important things, is to not listen the naysayers, and put one hundred percent focus on what needs to be achieved.
Once the platform has been launched, you can see the varied types of brands and talent, that have been chosen to be in The Caviar Spoon, from there you can personally hand pick the creative mind-blowing experiences that people have to offer, there is such an incredible talent pool from a global perspective, and the best thing is, it has all been vetted, and is just in one place!
All of that just from an idea that Pra had one day!
There is plenty of very savvy advise to anyone who wants to go into collaborations, explore ideas, explore brands, and essentially it is imperative that they love and protect your brand as much as their own.
Without doubt, Pra is about to launch a one-of-a-kind collaboration platform, make sure to sign up right away in the link below.
https://www.thecaviarspoon.com
You can follow the platform via Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecaviarspoon/
Stay tuned for next week’s show, we talk to one of the most creative and talented chef’s in the world!
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!
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Episode 5 - Simon Ritchie - The Editor
The Chef JKP Podcast
07/02/20 • 39 min
Simon Ritchie began to be interested in journalism at the early age of 11, having lived for a short while in Egypt, for him and his family, the only English television around during that time was only the BBC News.
Remembering the amazing and interesting stories, is what really got him engrossed in this field.
A few years later, he dabbled with various subjects, before he got the spark to go and study at university to pursue a degree in business journalism in his home town of Glasgow, Scotland.
A brief stint in London, being an intern for the award winning magazine FHM, Simon describes this as " a dream come true !"
4 years down the line, he got the opportunity to get his first serious gig, being an editor of not just one, but two magazines, in the field of hair and beauty.
So how did Simon become the editor of the coveted Caterer Middle East magazine?
His family had previously lived in Dubai, but it was only after a second visit to see his older brother, that he made the final decision to move abroad.
Fortunately, he got picked up by ITP, who happens to be the biggest publishing house in the Gulf region - https://www.itp.com
This is where the he began the journey into world of chefs, food and hospitality.
Knowing that journalism is all about connections, he describes going to every new opening in order to get to know the movers and shakers of the industry in order to get the stories, 2 years down the line after having done an extensive amount of networking, it is now the owners, chef's and industry sources, who message him on the sly to get the latest on what's going on, impressive considering Simon has only been in the region for just over two years.
In that time he recalls interviewing industry giants like the 3 Michelin starred Massimo Bottura, who at one point had the number one best restaurant in the world - https://osteriafrancescana.it
One chef that needs no introduction is the one and only Marco Pierre White - https://www.marcopierrewhite.co
That interview did not disappoint - as the notorious chef was 30 minutes, due to an opening the night before.
The other memorable anecdote involves a heavy night out, and an interview with none other than international superchef Jason Atherton - https://www.jasonatherton.co.uk
Simon, delves into what it takes to be at the very top of his industry, as well as mentioning that is always a plus to have a couple of good friends in the media, as you never know when they could come in handy!
Being the editor of the regions top Catering magazine, has it's perks, but not forgetting that he is a business journalist, it took a while for him to become a member of the famous foodie club, although he is not done yet, as there is still another 12,000 restaurants to review, that's just in Dubai!
Should you have an interesting story, contact Simon directly, you can email him on - [email protected]
To see what the fuss is all about go to - www.caterermiddleeast.com
To watch the full video got to - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQnVGBXvNcg&t=16s
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Season 5 - Episode 5 - Govind Shepley - Interior Designers and Chefs are the Same !
The Chef JKP Podcast
03/14/24 • 68 min
Creativity is a fundamental aspect of interior design, and Shepley's approach to his craft is deeply rooted in collaboration and understanding the needs and desires of his clients.
In this episode of the ChefJKP Podcast, he highlights the importance of working closely with chefs and owners to create spaces that not only reflect their vision but also enhance the overall dining experience.
By involving the chef from the start, Shepley ensures that the design of the space aligns with the culinary concept and creates a cohesive and immersive experience for diners.
ChefJKP and Govind discuss:
• Designing with Chefs for Kitchen and Interiors
• Joining F&B Leaders and Designing for Jamie Oliver's
• Pressure and Challenges in Design Industry
• Design Industry Differences: London vs Dubai
• Confidence and Client Relationships in Design Projects
You can follow Govind on HERE
This show is bought to you by Twentyone06 - you can follow them on HERE
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Episode 1 - Who is JKP?
The Chef JKP Podcast
05/22/20 • 20 min
This is the first ever podcast!
A very warm welcome from the host James Knight-Pacheco, who will be discussing his own personal highs and lows about how he became an award winning chef. From London to Dubai, cafe's to Michelin starred kitchens, the host describes what it's like to get to the very top of a challenging industry.
Follow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Chef JKP Podcast have?
The Chef JKP Podcast currently has 96 episodes available.
What topics does The Chef JKP Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Stories, Learn, Cooking, Hospitality, Happy, Funny, Fun, Eating, Podcasts, Education, Arts, Business, Careers and Food.
What is the most popular episode on The Chef JKP Podcast?
The episode title 'Season 5 - Episode 11 - Halil Asar - Hospitality is a Feeling!' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Chef JKP Podcast?
The average episode length on The Chef JKP Podcast is 55 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Chef JKP Podcast released?
Episodes of The Chef JKP Podcast are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Chef JKP Podcast?
The first episode of The Chef JKP Podcast was released on May 22, 2020.
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