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 hospitality.

For our inaugural Round Table, we are delighted to be hosted in the extraordinary Trinity restaurant where we are joined by Michelin starred legends, Adam Byatt of Trinity, Phil Howard of Elystan Street and John Williams of The Ritz to dive into Escoffier’s Legacy and the timeless foundations that still underpin great kitchens today.

In a lively and honest conversation, three legendary chefs open up about the evolution of the industry — from the old-school days when chefs could focus solely on craft, to today’s harsher realities where financial precision is critical to survival. They explore the irreplaceable thrill of cooking, the unique rewards of creating something ephemeral yet deeply meaningful, and the hard balance between natural flair and disciplined technique.

The discussion peels back the layers of what it really takes to be a great chef: the importance of marrying creativity with meticulousness, the subtle but crucial connection between cook and ingredient, and the difference between chefs driven by pure love of food and those who focus on process. They reflect on the irreplaceable role of mentorship, the pride in seeing protégés rise, and the deep emotional bonds forged through years of relentless service.

With unforgettable stories from iconic kitchens, candid reflections on leadership and legacy, and plenty of laughs (and tart anecdotes) along the way, The Legends’ Round Tables is a love letter to the world of food — and to everyone who has ever fallen in love with it.

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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 days after opening.

In this episode, Andy shares what it was like working under culinary greats like Phil Howard and Claude Bosi, and how their influence shaped his own philosophy in the kitchen. We dig into the art and agony of tasting menus—why they’re so hard to get right, and how Andy keeps his feeling fun, creative, and worth the price. He recalls the chaos of nightmare services (including a guest walking out mid-meal over the music) and the small wins that come from surprising, happy endings.

We also talk about Andy’s upcoming speakeasy-style bar concept hidden behind his restaurant, where diners will be able to enjoy more casual snacks while peeking into the kitchen. And of course, we couldn’t resist chatting about one of his most passionate design features: the toilets. Built with the same guy who did Sketch, they’re part submarine, part statement—proof that every detail matters.

This is a candid, unfiltered chat about perfectionism, creativity, and building a restaurant that feels like home.

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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-cooked, produce-led food.

We talk about his formative years under the notoriously exacting Raphael Duntoye at Le Petit Maison, then going onto Coya where there was one night he ruined £2,500 of Waygu Beef for one table, and the leap into running his own place. Jake gets candid about the tough moments – walking out of a toxic kitchen, delivering meals to 50 homes a night during lockdown, chucking out guests for being racist to his staff and the struggle to stay afloat in this market– as well as the highs, like when Pierre Koffmann walked into his restaurant, and how he became a regular.

Expect stories about burnt sausages, burnt leeks, and everything in between, as we explore Jake’s Mediterranean-inspired cooking style, signature dishes like cedar plank salmon, and why he believes the best food is always the simplest. Oh, and he’s not holding back on his thoughts about smash burgers either.

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