Best Britains Finest Podcasts (2025)

1
Santiago Lastra - From Sofa Surfing To Creating The UK's Only Michelin Starred Mexican Restaurant & How Rene Redzepi Changed His Life Forever! 1:04:07

11h ago1:04:07

1:04:07

Today we're delighted to be joined by Michelin Starred Head Chef and Owner of Kol and Fonda - the genius Santiago Lastra to unpack his incredible career that started off with him working in an Italian restaurant in Mexico and has taken him around some of the greatest kitchens in the world including working for Andoni Luis Aduriz at Mugartiz and lea…

1
A deadly mission: how Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira tried to warn the world about the Amazon’s destruction 30:36

21m ago30:36

30:36

The Guardian journalist and the Brazilian Indigenous expert were killed while investigating the impact of deforestation. In this extract from the book Phillips was writing at the time of his death, he reflects on his encounters with the rainforest and its people – and why it is so vital to save this precious place By Dom Phillips. Read by Felipe Pa…

1
From the archive: Alan Yentob: the last impresario 47:39

14m ago47:39

47:39

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2016: For decades, Alan Yentob was the dominant creative force at the BBC – behind everything from Adam Curtis to Strictly Come Dancing. He was a towering figure in British culture – so why did ma…

1
‘We know what is happening, we cannot walk away’: how the Guardian bore witness to horror in former Yugoslavia 31:34

1d ago31:34

31:34

During the decade-long conflicts, the major powers dithered as Serb militias carried out their brutal campaigns of ethnic cleansing. Guardian reporters became more passionate and more outspoken in their condemnation, attracting praise and criticism By Ian Mayes. Read by Owen McDonnell. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/long…

1
Sabrina Ghayour - From Fleeing Iran To Working At McDonalds To Becoming A Multi Best Selling Cookbook Author! 52:40

2d ago52:40

52:40

In this episode of The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with the unapologetically fearless Sabrina Ghayour — bestselling author, supper club pioneer, and one of the most influential voices in Middle Eastern cooking today. Sabrina talks about; fleeing Iran during the revovlution in 1979, working illegally as an 11 year old at her local Chinese superm…

1
The ancient psychedelics myth: ‘People tell tourists the stories they think are interesting for them’ 33:19

5d ago33:19

33:19

The narrative of ancient tribes around the world regularly using ayahuasca and magic mushrooms in healing practices is a popular one. Is it true? By Manvir Singh. Read by Sebastián Capitán Viveros. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Farmer Tom Jones - Britain's Best Farmer on; Fighting Depression & Toxic Masculinity, A Short Lived Acting Career & Supplying The Best Restaurants In The UK! 37:41

7d ago37:41

37:41

Welcome back to a farming and butchery special by the man who’s been supplying some of the UK's best restaurants for over 2 decades including ST. John, Lyle's, Camille, The Camberwell Arms, and more and has recently opened his own butcher's shop in Bermondsey, the legendary Farmer Tom Jones. We find out how he went from turning down a career being …

1
From the archive: The lost Jews of Nigeria 49:14

7d ago49:14

49:14

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: Until the 1990s, there were almost no Jews in Nigeria. Now thousands have enthusiastically taken up the faith. Why? By Samanth Subramanian. Read by Raj Ghatak. Help support our independent j…

1
149 – Dream Beans: Growing Tips, Varieties & Greenhouse Jobs for May 17:07

9d ago17:07

17:07

In this episode, Rob Smith sings the praises of broad beans — the hardy, fragrant, and easy-to-grow staple of UK veg patches. Discover his expert tips on sowing, spacing, and supporting your plants, plus how to guard against blackfly and chocolate spot. From rare heirloom varieties like Crimson Flowered and Martock to low-maintenance options perfec…

1
Jimi Famurewa - How He Was Brutally Fired From 'The Standard' - Why London Restaurant's Scene Is Getting Boring & His Horrifying Experience With Salt Bae! 1:02:21

10d ago1:02:21

1:02:21

This week on The Go-To Food Pod, we’re joined by the much-missed voice of London restaurant criticism, former Evening Standard food writer Jimi Famurewa. For years, Jimi helped define what made eating out in the capital exciting, accessible, and culturally relevant. From neighbourhood heroes to headline-grabbing launches, his reviews brought warmth…

1
‘We thought we could change the world’: how an idealistic fight against miscarriages of justice turned sour 42:06

10d ago42:06

42:06

When a no-nonsense lecturer set up a radical solution to help free the wrongfully convicted in the UK, he was hopeful he could change the justice system. But what started as a revolution ended in acrimony By Francisco Garcia. Read by Nicholas Camm. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
‘All other avenues have been exhausted’: Is legal action the only way to save the planet? 32:29

13d ago32:29

32:29

Monica Feria-Tinta is one of a growing number of lawyers using the courts to make governments around the world take action By Samira Shackle. Read by Díana Bermudez. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Samyukta Nair - The Queen Of London Restaurants On; Critics Getting Personal, Why She Prematurely Closed Her Restaurant With Claude Bosi & Why London Is Facing An Existential Crisis! 50:45

14d ago50:45

50:45

In this episode of The Go-To Mise en Place, we sit down with Samyukta Nair, the powerhouse behind London’s boldest and most elegant dining destinations. As the creative director of LSL Capital, she’s responsible for a growing portfolio of restaurants that blend storytelling, design, and deeply personal heritage — from the Michelin-starred Jamavar t…

1
From the archive: Super-prime mover: Britain’s most successful estate agent 42:26

15d ago42:26

42:26

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: Gary Hersham has been selling houses to the very rich for decades. At first, £1m was a big deal. Now he sells for £50m, £100m, even £200m. What does it take to stay on top in this cut-throat…

1
Tom Kerridge - Kitchen Trauma, Alcohol Abuse & Risking Everything To Create The First 2 Michelin Star Pub In The World! 1:10:52

17d ago1:10:52

1:10:52

This week on The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with one of Britain’s most recognisable chefs, Tom Kerridge, for a refreshingly honest conversation about the journey from wild, hard-drinking kitchens to becoming a household name with multiple Michelin stars. Tom opens up about the early days of The Hand and Flowers, how he went from not even knowi…

1
A year of hate: what I learned when I went undercover with the far right 34:58

17d ago34:58

34:58

Working for Hope Not Hate, I infiltrated an extremist organisation, befriended its members and got to work investigating their political connections Written and read by Harry Shukman. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son 49:36

20d ago49:36

49:36

For the first time, the man the KGB codenamed ‘the Inheritor’ tells his story By Shaun Walker. Read by James Faulkner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Amy Poon - Bringing Back The First Ever Michelin Starred Chinese Restaurant - Starting A Champagne Bar In Singapore’s Red Light District & Struggling To Survive In Tokyo! 37:04

21d ago37:04

37:04

In this episode of The Go-To Mise en Place, we sit down with Amy Poon, chef, food entrepreneur, and heir to one of the most iconic names in Chinese dining, for a wide-ranging, laugh-out-loud conversation that covers everything from opening a champagne bar with a newborn to scrubbing pots at midnight when staff don’t show. Amy reflects on her family…

1
From the archive: What lies beneath: the truth about France’s top serial killer expert 58:12

22d ago58:12

58:12

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: An intrepid expert with dozens of books to his name, Stéphane Bourgoin was a bestselling author, famous in France for having interviewed more than 70 notorious murderers. Then an anonymous c…

1
148 - May in the Veg Patch: Top Jobs, Planting Tips & Pest Protection 11:15

23d ago11:15

11:15

In this episode of the Kitchen Garden Magazine Podcast, we dive into the essential tasks for your vegetable patch this May. From protecting ripening fruit and earthing up potatoes, to thinning carrots and setting up sturdy supports for beans — we've got your seasonal to-do list covered. Discover smart ways to deter root fly, manage weeds, and mulch…

1
Giorgio Locatelli - The Tragedy That Nearly Ruined His Career, Getting Bullied In Paris & The Reason Why He Decided To Walk Away From His Michelin Stars! 1:06:12

24d ago1:06:12

1:06:12

This week on The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with legendary Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli — the man who helped redefine Italian cuisine in London. From his early training at The Savoy to becoming the first independent Italian chef in the UK to earn a Michelin star, Giorgio takes us through the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments of a career…

1
‘Why would he take such a risk?’ How a famous Chinese author befriended his censor 39:25

24d ago39:25

39:25

Online dissent is a serious crime in China. So why did a Weibo censor help me publish posts critical of the Communist party? By Murong Xuecun. Read by Zhang Wang Li. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
The mystery of the nameless girl found dead in a Spanish border town 38:52

27d ago38:52

38:52

On a summer morning in 1990, the body of a young woman appeared in a small town close to the frontier. For those who saw her, finding her identity became an obsession that would last 30 years By Giles Tremlett. Read by Luis Soto. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Will Beckett - Hawksmoor Founder On; How He Broke America, His Huge Falling Out With Keith McNally & A.A. Gill's Brutal Review! 57:02

28d ago57:02

57:02

This week on The Go-To Mise en Place, we’re celebrating 15 years of Hawksmoor Seven Dials—one of London’s most beloved restaurants—with co-founder Will Beckett. Over a very special lunch from their 15th birthday menu (available Monday to Friday lunchtimes for just £19.50—arguably the best value lunch in the West End), Will reflects on the journey t…

1
From the archive: Food fraud and counterfeit cotton: the detectives untangling the global supply chain 45:32

29d ago45:32

45:32

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: Amid the complex web of international trade, proving the authenticity of a product can be near-impossible. But one company is taking the search to the atomic level By Samanth Subramanian. Re…

1
Stevie Parle - Kicking A Michelin Starred Chef Out Of His Restaurant - The Tragic Effect 'Viral Dishes' Has Had On Menu's & Creating The Pop Up Movement! 38:54

1M ago38:54

38:54

This week on The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with London’s original restaurant protege Stevie Parle - one-time pop-up poster boy, chef, restaurateur, and the creative force behind Dock Kitchen, Rotorino, Pastaio, and most recently, the soon to be hardest restaurant in London to get a table at, Town on Drury Lane. Stevie shares the story behind …

1
From acid house to ancient rites: Jeremy Deller’s enormous, collaborative, unsellable art 38:24

1M ago38:24

38:24

The artist Jeremy Deller can’t really draw or paint. Instead of making things, he makes things happen. And later this year, he is planning to unleash a bacchanalian festival that will be his most daring public artwork yet By Charlotte Higgins. Read by Richard Coyle. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
What happens when the US declares war on your parents? The Black Panther Cubs know 51:32

1M ago51:32

51:32

The Black Panthers shook America awake before the party was eviscerated by the US government. Their children paid a steep price, but also emerged with unassailable pride and burning lessons for today By Ed Pilkington. Read by Chiké Okonkwo. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Rosie Kellett - The Queen Of Supper Clubs on; Warehouse Evictions, Parmesan's Medicinal Magic & Creating Meghan Markle's Wedding Cake!! 47:09

1M ago47:09

47:09

This week, we’re joined by the brilliantly warm and wildly talented Rosie Kellett - writer, food creator, and author of In For Dinner. From comforting nostalgia to weeknight saviours, Rosie takes us through her dream menu from breakfast to pudding. We get into her favourite hangover-busting salt and vinegar potato soup, a citrusy macaroni-spaghetti…

1
From the archive: The last phone boxes: broken glass, cider cans and – amazingly – a dial tone 32:20

1M ago32:20

32:20

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: Five million payphone calls are still made each year in the UK. Who is making them – and why? By Sophie Elmhirst. Read by Emma Powell. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.…

1
Legends Roundtable: Michelin Starred Chefs; Phil Howard, John Williams & Adam Byatt | Escoffier's Legacy & The Current State Of The Industry. 1:17:47

1M ago1:17:47

1:17:47

The Go-To Food Podcast proudly introduces The Legends’ Roundtable— a brand-new monthly series celebrating the chefs, kitchens, and ideas that have shaped modern gastronomy. Each episode, we gather some of the most respected names in the industry to reflect on where food has come from, where it's going, and what it truly means to dedicate a life to …

1
Many life-saving drugs fail for lack of funding. But there’s a solution: desperate rich people 29:52

1M ago29:52

29:52

Each year, hundreds of potentially world-changing treatments are discarded because scientists run out of cash. But where big pharma or altruists fear to tread, my friend and I have a solution. It’s repugnant, but it will work By Alexander Masters. Read by Tom Andrews. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
In search of the South Pacific fugitive who crowned himself king 47:44

1M ago47:44

47:44

Noah Musingku made a fortune with a Ponzi scheme and then retreated to a remote armed compound in the jungle, where he still commands the loyalty of his Bougainville subjects By Sean Williams. Read by Simon Darwen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Chef Andy Benyon - Winning A Michelin Star After Just 20 Days Of Opening - Witnessing A Married Couple Breakup Mid Meal At His Restaurant & The Genius Of Claude Bosi & Phil Howard! 28:17

1M ago28:17

28:17

This week, we head Behind the pass—literally—with chef-owner Andy Benyon, the Michelin-starred mind behind one of East London’s most intimate and inventive restaurants. From langoustines with truffle yakisoba to clam shell madeleines, Andy’s flavour-first, technique-driven cooking has built a cult following and earned him a Michelin star just 20 da…

1
From the archive: ‘I pleaded for help. No one wrote back’: the pain of watching my country fall to the Taliban 30:06

1M ago30:06

30:06

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: As the fighters advanced on Kabul, it was civilians who mobilised to help with the evacuation. In the absence of a plan, the hardest decisions fell on inexperienced volunteers, and the stres…

1
The real Scandi noir: how a filmmaker and a crooked lawyer shattered Denmark’s self-image 47:41

2M ago47:41

47:41

The Black Swan follows a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients in front of hidden cameras. But is she really reformed – and is the director up to his own tricks? By Samanth Subramanian. Read by David Bateson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Kahane’s ghost: how a long-dead extremist rabbi continues to haunt Israel’s politics 46:37

2M ago46:37

46:37

A violent fanatic and pioneer in bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest levels of government By Joshua Leifer. Read by Kerry Shale. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Chef Jake Finn - Walking Out On The Biggest Bully In The Industry, Chucking Out Racist Customers & Creating One Of London's Greatest Neighbourhood Spots! 42:39

2M ago42:39

42:39

Welcome back to Mise en Place where this week we sit down with Jake Finn, the chef-owner behind Cinder – the neighbourhood restaurant where everything hits the charcoal. Jake shares his journey from being one of the first Ritz apprentices in 2006 to opening Cinder in the middle of a pandemic, and building it into a two-location favourite for fire-c…

1
From the archive: The great betrayal: how the Hillsborough families were failed by the justice system 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: After 32 years of establishment lies, media smears, inquests, trials and retrials, the families of the Hillsborough dead have yet to see anyone held accountable By David Conn. Read by Gavin …

1
My mother, the racist 32:03

2M ago32:03

32:03

She spent her life in northern France doing exhausting, back-breaking work – and yet she turned her anger against people who had done no wrongs to her. But as much as I couldn’t stand her rants, I was forced to accept her as she was By Didier Eribon. Read by Mark Noble. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Rosemary Shrager - How Pierre Koffmann Saved My Life - Falling Out With Donald Trump & Surviving A Very Unhappy Childhood! 1:03:22

2M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

This week on The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with the legendary Rosemary Shrager — self-taught chef, bestselling author, and TV favourite — for a wide-ranging conversation full of warmth, grit, and unapologetic passion for food. Rosemary opens up about her unconventional journey: from a turbulent childhood and being sectioned as a teen, to carv…

1
The reluctant collaborator: surviving Syria’s brutal civil war – and its aftermath 50:15

2M ago50:15

50:15

At 18, Mustafa was told his only way out of prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad’s fighters could get him killed By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. Read by Mo Ayoub. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Chef Luke Farrell - Opening The Spiciest Restaurant In The Country - Creating A Thai Jungle In Dorset & Passing Out Eating Thailand's Craziest Dish! 35:34

2M ago35:34

35:34

This week on The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with Luke Farrell — the modern godfather of Southeast Asian cuisine in London. From the neon-lit Speedboat Bar to his innovative Thai greenhouses in Dorset, Luke unpacks what it takes to run four award-winning restaurants rooted in authentic Southeast Asian flavours: Speedboat Bar (Thai-Chinese), Pla…

1
From the archive: Votes for children! Why we should lower the voting age to six 33:49

2M ago33:49

33:49

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: The generational divide is deforming democracy. But there is a solution By David Runciman. Read by Andrew McGregor. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Chef Theo Randall - Winning The River Cafe Its Michelin Star -The Magic Of Working At Chez Panisse & Uncovering A Young Jamie Oliver! 59:23

2M ago59:23

59:23

This week on The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with legendary chef Theo Randall to talk about his incredible journey through the world of food. From starting as a kitchen porter at just 14, to working his way up through some of the most influential kitchens in the world, Theo shares how a transformative stint at Chez Panisse shaped his approach t…

1
The Rainham volcano: a waste dump is constantly on fire in east London. Why will no one stop it? 38:55

2M ago38:55

38:55

Under Arnolds Field, tonnes of illegally dumped waste have been burning for years, spewing pollution over the area. Locals fear for their health – and despair that no one seems willing to help By William Ralston. Read by Sam Swainsbury. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
It came from outer space: the meteorite that landed in a Cotswolds cul-de-sac 29:30

2M ago29:30

29:30

Meteorite falls are extremely rare and offer a glimpse of the processes that formed our world billions of years ago. When a space rock came to an English market town in 2021, scientists raced to find as much out as they could By Helen Gordon. Read by Sasha Frost. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Manuel De La Torre - Escaping Death Threats From The Mexican Cartel Who'd Killed His Family - Making Emergency Asylum To The UK & Creating The Best Mexican Restaurant In The Country! 34:16

2M ago34:16

34:16

Welcome back to Mise en Place, where this week we sit down with Taco Manny at his spot Guacamoles. Manny is a Mexican refugee who fled death threats for a cartel and rebuilt his life in London—one taco at a time. With just £70, he launched a pop-up that made £3,000 in 15 days, all of which he donated to his church. Now, his tacos are celebrated as …

1
From the archive: ‘The treeline is out of control’: how the climate crisis is turning the Arctic green 36:32

2M ago36:32

36:32

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: In northern Norway, trees are rapidly taking over the tundra and threatening an ancient way of life that depends on snow and ice By Ben Rawlence. Read by Christien Anholt. Help support our i…

1
Chef Kate Austen - How She Became The Youngest 2 Michelin Starred Female Chef In The World - Why She's Turned Her Back On The Industry & The Secrets To Winning The Great British Menu! 59:54

2M ago59:54

59:54

Today we’re delighted to be joined by a chef who was once the youngest 2 Michelin star female chef in the world and after working in 4 Michelin Starred restaurants around Europe and then working for Gordon Ramsay, she casually became the first woman to ever win the Great British Menu main course, in over 20 years of the shows history! Kate opens up…

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