Food Rebels
Hosted by AJ Sharp, Food Rebels is a captivating food and drink show. Focusing on the dynamic world of food founders, challenger brands and new products. We meet the most exciting people in the food industry today and taste the newest products. Each 30min show offers a peek behind the curtain, on-air tastings, and food and drink-based entertainment for our listeners around the UK and further afield.
Episodes
In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp is joined by Richard Peake, Managing Director of Merchant Gourmet, to explore what authentic leadership looks like when you’re not the founder, and why that can be a superpower.
From lentil tagines and quinoa “before it was cool” to ready-to-heat pouches that are actually good for you, Merchant Gourmet has quietly become a staple in cupboards across the UK. Under Richard’s leadership, the br...
This week, AJ Sharp interviews cook, writer and storyteller Amber Guinness, whose new book Winter in Tuscany celebrates the magic of Italy’s colder months. Amber shares why it's in winter that you can experience the true heart of Tuscan cooking, from porcini-rich forests to truffle-filled valleys and the comforting dishes that define the season.
They explore how slowing down, cooking with intention and embracing the colder months c...
Inaccurate labels don’t taste so good anymore, it's time to start rewriting the language of food.
In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp chats with Egyptian food writer and culinary consultant Soha Darwish, whose cooking blends the rich influences of her Egyptian and Syrian heritage. From growing up in cosmopolitan Alexandria to discovering her culinary voice in London and Abu Dhabi, Soha shares how she swapped a career in mecha...
This week AJ Sharp meets Tina Faghihi-Hallam, the innovative co-founder of Flavour Bombs, the bold new brand reinventing how we recreate global flavours at home. After 12 years in tech, Tina swapped spreadsheets for saucepans and turned a lightbulb moment watching Inside the Factory into a food business making authentic global flavours simple, clean and waste-free.
This week, AJ Sharp has just returned from a study tour to Copenhagen led with sustainable food consultant Simon Wright. Together they discuss the wisdom of agreeing to optionally taste hospital and school food in another country. As well as how share how Denmark became a world leader in organic, plant-rich, and planet-friendly food systems, from school meals and hospitals serving fully organic menus, to chefs redefining flavour th...
This week AJ Sharp is joined by the brilliant Ravinder Bhogal, chef, writer, and founder of London’s acclaimed restaurant Jikoni. Born in Kenya and raised in the UK, Ravinder has built a career celebrating cooking without borders, a joyful fusion of cultures, memories, and maternal traditions.
She opens up about her journey from home cook to restaurateur, the inspiration behind Jikoni’s deeply personal dishes, and why intuition and...
This week, AJ Sharp is joined by Professor Charles Spence, the Oxford scientist changing how we think about taste. They explore how sound, colour, light and mood all shape our experience of food and drink, and how culture and nature influence what we find delicious. Expect sensory surprises, practical tips for dining better, and a whole new way of looking at what’s on your plate.
AJ is joined by a Food Rebels favourite, Suzy Pelta! Suzy is back to tell us about her developing journey into TV, sharing some behind the scenes info about manifesting her exciting new presenter role. Listeners receive a real palpable sense of female empowerment and how much can be achieved when women support each other, along with reflections on the power of manifestation to achieve your goals.
In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp and Eve Tudor discuss their favourite food products, falling down every available rabbit hole along the way! They explore themes of creativity, food preferences, and the impact of diet on health and hormones. They share personal anecdotes about their culinary journeys, including Eve's passion for coffee and AJ's obsession with Thomy mayonnaise!
In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp interviews Huw Griffiths., the founder and CEO of Besmoke, a company specialising in innovative smoked ingredients. The conversation explores the origins of Besmoke, the primal connection humans have with smoke, and the scientific and artistic approaches to flavouring food with smoke. Hugh discusses the techniques used to infuse smoke into various ingredients, the importance of reclaiming na...
Join us in this week's episode as Charlotte Miller, founder of Caroboo, shares her inspiring journey of revolutionising chocolate! She delves into the challenges of balancing parenting and entrepreneurship while creating healthier treats for families. Discover the story behind Caroboo's unique products and learn about their innovative approach to marketing. Tune in to hear about the mission to transform children's snacking options ...
In this episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp is joined by Thuy Hoang, quarter-finalist of MasterChef 2023 and one of the UK’s stars in Vietnamese cuisine. Born in Saigon and arriving in the UK as a child refugee, Thuy shares her remarkable personal story and how food became a way for her family to preserve their culture and identity.
AJ and Thuy dive into her MasterChef experience, the lessons she took from the competition, and her mis...
For this very special milestone, we’re celebrating with a hand-picked collection of the best moments from some of our most unforgettable guests. You’ll hear Heston Blumenthal on breaking the rules of flavour and perception, Jay Rayner on the art (and mischief) of food criticism, Gok Wan on the joy of sharing food and culture, Dominique Woolf on building a food brand with heart, and Craig Sams on pioneering organic, sustainable food...
In this episode of Food Rebels, host AJ Sharp welcomes back Dhruv Baker to discuss the exciting developments in his career, including the merger of Tempus Foods with Rare Pasture. They delve into the principles of regenerative farming, the importance of soil health, and how livestock can be integrated into sustainable farming practices. Dhruv shares insights on identifying quality charcuterie, the shift towards natural foods, and h...
Join us on Food Rebels as we explore the fascinating career of Philippa Davis, a private chef, food writer, and TV presenter. From her roots on a Dorset farm to cooking for elite clients worldwide, Philippa shares her unique experiences, the art of private cheffing, and her passion for sustainable food practices. Discover her journey through London's top kitchens, her adventures in global markets, and the stories behind her culinar...
This week AJ is joined by Hannah Brown, the mastermind behind Peat’d. We hear how she transformed her whisky industry expertise into a line of mouth-watering peat-smoked tomato sauces! Find out how Hannah turns obstacles into opportunities for innovation, and get a sneak peek at what’s next for the brand.
In this powerful episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp sits down with Samantha Beeny, a PR and marketing pro in the food world, to explore her firsthand experience with GLP-1 medication (specifically Monjaro). Originally drawn to the drug while researching food trends and seeking relief for endometriosis, Sam shares what it was really like. From dramatic weight loss and the strange absence of hunger to unexpected side effects like fati...
In this special live episode of Food Rebels, recorded at Bread & Jam, the UK’s ultimate festival for food and drink challenger brands, AJ Sharp catches up with a stellar lineup of food industry disruptors. Guests include Joe Woolf (Home Cooks), Milly Bagot (By Ruby), Mitch Lee (PACT), Rikki Tooley (Easton Chilli), Katie Truss (Fabulous Food Finds), and Charlotte Pike (chef, author & judge). From bold new trends to surprisin...
🎙️ On this week’s episode of Food Rebels, AJ is joined by Clare Pope, editor of Taste Kent, and food and drink marketing expert Sam Beeny for a wine-filled adventure through the stunning Wayfarer Wines vineyard in Kent, recorded live from their tasting room on a balmy summer’s evening. 🍇✨
They sit down with Karen Ashford, co-founder of Wayfarer Wines, to uncover how a retirement dream turned into one of Kent’s most exciting still...
On this week’s episode of Food Rebels, AJ is joined by Ed Ayton, who leads sustainability and ethics at Abel & Cole, the organic pioneers shaking up how we grow, sell and deliver food in the UK.
Ed shares how a direct challenge at the UK River Summit led to one of the boldest moves in the company’s history: dropping open-net farmed salmon. He explains why they made the change, how they brought customers with them, and what real...
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