Season 9 - Episode 2 - William Drew - Director of Content for the Worlds 50 Best !
03/13/25 • 79 min
What really goes into ranking the world’s best restaurants?
James Knight-Paccheco sits down with William Drew, Director of Content for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, to pull back the curtain on the prestigious list that shapes the global dining scene.
From the secrecy behind the voting process to the evolution of kitchen culture, William shares insider insights on what makes a restaurant truly world-class. Plus, he dives into his journey from political journalism to food media, the biggest shifts in gastronomy today, and the future of fine dining.
Tune In To Learn:
👨🍳 How restaurants are ranked and why the process remains a well-guarded secret.
👨🍳 The evolution of kitchen culture, wellness, and the shift towards a healthier work environment.
👨🍳 Key trends shaping the future of food and the importance of regional recognition.
👨🍳 William’s most memorable dining experiences and what he believes makes a truly world-class restaurant.
00:00 Chef JKP Podcast Goes Live!
02:28 Meet William Drew
07:02 The Golden Era of Magazines & Transition to Food Journalism
19:44 The Influence of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List
22:28 How the Voting Process Works
29:46 Expanding the 50 Best Lists Globally
39:50 Launching in the Middle East and North Africa
41:55 Building a Global Culinary Community
44:09 Evolving Kitchen Culture & Well-being
53:18 The Evolution of Global Dining
01:04:06 Quick Fire Questions & Fun Stories
01:12:36 Final Thoughts & Advice
You can follow the Worlds 50 Best on Here - https://www.instagram.com/theworlds50best/
You can follow the Chef JKP Podcast on Here - https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast/
A huge thank you to our sponsors:
Westholme Australian Wagyu - https://www.westholme.com/
Luvvfits Gourmet Protein Bars (luvvfits.com)
Food is memories. Enjoy the episode! 🍴
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What really goes into ranking the world’s best restaurants?
James Knight-Paccheco sits down with William Drew, Director of Content for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, to pull back the curtain on the prestigious list that shapes the global dining scene.
From the secrecy behind the voting process to the evolution of kitchen culture, William shares insider insights on what makes a restaurant truly world-class. Plus, he dives into his journey from political journalism to food media, the biggest shifts in gastronomy today, and the future of fine dining.
Tune In To Learn:
👨🍳 How restaurants are ranked and why the process remains a well-guarded secret.
👨🍳 The evolution of kitchen culture, wellness, and the shift towards a healthier work environment.
👨🍳 Key trends shaping the future of food and the importance of regional recognition.
👨🍳 William’s most memorable dining experiences and what he believes makes a truly world-class restaurant.
00:00 Chef JKP Podcast Goes Live!
02:28 Meet William Drew
07:02 The Golden Era of Magazines & Transition to Food Journalism
19:44 The Influence of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List
22:28 How the Voting Process Works
29:46 Expanding the 50 Best Lists Globally
39:50 Launching in the Middle East and North Africa
41:55 Building a Global Culinary Community
44:09 Evolving Kitchen Culture & Well-being
53:18 The Evolution of Global Dining
01:04:06 Quick Fire Questions & Fun Stories
01:12:36 Final Thoughts & Advice
You can follow the Worlds 50 Best on Here - https://www.instagram.com/theworlds50best/
You can follow the Chef JKP Podcast on Here - https://www.instagram.com/chefjkppodcast/
A huge thank you to our sponsors:
Westholme Australian Wagyu - https://www.westholme.com/
Luvvfits Gourmet Protein Bars (luvvfits.com)
Food is memories. Enjoy the episode! 🍴
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
The Chef JKP Podcast Season 9 - Wellness !
Season 9 is here! 🎉 And this time, we’re diving deep into wellbeing in the hospitality industry, as we all know it can be a tough place to be.
James Knight-Paccheco returns with a season dedicated to the real struggles and challenges faced by chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals, featuring raw, honest conversations with inspiring guests.
This season isn’t just about food—it’s about thriving in an industry that never stops. Expect practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories on how to manage stress, recognize mental health struggles, and create supportive work environments.
00:00 Special Announcement!
00:47 Welcome to Season 9
01:21 Focus on Wellness and Mental Health
02:12 Sponsors and Partnerships
03:04 Sneak Peek of Upcoming Episodes
05:48 Personal Updates and Achievements
08:04 Mental Health in Hospitality
09:47 Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Issues
14:10 Resources for Mental Health Support
15:53 Conclusion and Season Wrap-Up
A huge thank you to our partners:
Luvv Fits - www.luvvfits.com
Westholme - www.westholme.com
Join the Conversation LIVE
🚨 We’re taking the podcast on the road! 🚨
Join Chef JKP for live recordings at Time Out Market Dubai on April 13th, 20th, and 27th. Expect raw, unfiltered conversations, audience Q&As, and an inside look at what’s shaping the future of hospitality.
Make sure to follow, share, and subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Leave us a review and let us know what topics YOU want to hear this season.
Links for free mental health advise is below;
· 7 Cups
Provides free, anonymous emotional support through online chat with trained volunteer listeners, along with community forums.
· Mental Health America (MHA)
Offers free mental health screenings, educational resources, and information to help users better understand and manage mental health.
· The Mighty
An online community where people share their personal experiences with mental health challenges and support one another.
· Mind
Although based in the UK, Mind provides extensive mental health information, advice, and support services that can benefit users worldwide.
· Samaritans
Offers free, confidential support for people in distress. While its primary services focus on the UK and Ireland, the website provides useful global resources and crisis intervention advice.
· IMAlive
A free online crisis chat service where individuals can speak with trained volunteers if they’re in distress (primarily available for the US, but accessible online).
Remember: Food is memories. Enjoy Season 9, culinary brothers and sisters! 🍴
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
Season 9 - Episode 3 - Mental Health Special with Dr. Bisi and Dr. Gurveen - Clinical Psychologists!
Is the hospitality industry facing a mental health crisis?
🧠 In this powerful episode of the Chef JKP Podcast, James Knight-Paccheco sits down with clinical psychologists Dr Bisi Laniyan and Dr Gurveen Ranger of Sage Clinics to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the industry - mental health.
From stress and anxiety to burnout and depression, this episode provides practical tools, expert advice, and real-world strategies to help hospitality professionals and beyond prioritise mental well-being.
Whether you’re in hospitality or simply looking for ways to take care of your mind, this episode is filled with must-hear insights.
Tune in to learn more about:
👨🍳 What mental health really means and how it manifests in daily life
👨🍳 Proven techniques to reduce pressure in high-intensity workplaces
👨🍳 How to recognize the signs of depression and burnout and take action before it’s too late
👨🍳 Breaking the stigma around seeking professional help and building a support network
👨🍳 Why mental resilience is crucial in the food industry, and how professionals can create healthier work environments
👨🍳 The healing power of food and how communal eating fosters mental well-being.
00:00 Event Announcement!
03:17 Meet the Experts
11:30 The Journey to Becoming a Psychologist
23:18 Understanding Mental Health & Its Manifestations
29:27 Working in Dubai's Multicultural Environment
42:34 Techniques for Managing Anxiety & Depression
58:21 The Reality of Mental Health in Hospitality
01:14:31 Recovery & Coping Strategies for Industry Professionals
01:23:02 The Role of Professional Help & Support Networks
01:25:01 How to Approach a Loved One About Mental Health
01:39:12 Cooking as Therapy & The Power of Communal Eating
01:46:24 Quick Fire Round
🚨 The Chef JKP Podcast is going LIVE! 🚨
Join us for unfiltered, real conversations on April 13th, 20th, and 27th at Timeout Market Dubai. Expect deep insights, audience Q&As, and a chance to connect with industry leaders.
A huge thank you to our partners:
Luvv Fits - www.luvvfits.com
Westholme - www.westholme.com
For more information on Sage clinics head over to https://sage-clinics.com
Follow Dr. Bisi on HERE
Follow Dr. Gurveen HERE
Follow the Chef JKP podcast on INSTAGRAM !
Don’t forget to follow, share, and subscribe to the podcast—it’s the best way to support the Chef JKP community. Leave us a five-star review and let us know your favorite moments from this episode!
Food is memories!
Enjoy the episode! 🍴
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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