World of Mouth podcast

Hugh Allen is the chef of Yiaga, a tasting-menu restaurant set in Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens. Born and raised in Melbourne, Allen began his apprenticeship at 15 at Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar & Grill, before moving to Vue de Monde. He then staged in Paris at Le Cinq and Le Pré Catelan, and spent more than three years at Noma in Copenhagen, including its Mexico and Australia pop-ups and the opening of Noma 2.0. Back home, he led Vue de Monde before opening Yiaga, a dream project several years in the making, built with architect John Wardle and more than 50 Australian craftspeople. In his podcast, we will hear Hugh Allen tell about his path from a Melbourne steakhouse to some of the world’s most ambitious kitchens, his passion for Australian produce and native ingredients, and the craft and terracotta architecture behind Yiaga. He will also reveal some of his favourite places in Melbourne, Australia and the rest of the world. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Jeremy Chan is the chef and co-founder of Ikoyi at 180 Strand in London, which he opened with his childhood friend Iré Hassan-Odukale. Born in the north of England to a Chinese father and a Canadian mother, Chan grew up in Hong Kong and lived in the US before settling in London. He started cooking professionally around the age of 24, with early stints at the Ten Bells pop-up and Claude Bosi’s Hibiscus. Ikoyi began as a creative thesis Chan wrote, and earned two Michelin stars in its small original space before moving to the Strand. In his podcast, we will hear Jeremy Chan tell about his childhood in Hong Kong, his path into professional kitchens, and how Ikoyi has evolved into a restaurant driven by creative seasonality, spice and a close network of producers. He will also share his thoughts on the future of fine dining and reveal some of his favourite places in London and around the world. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Sara Aqel is a Palestinian chef born and raised in Jordan. She trained at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and went on to cook at La Capitale at the Four Seasons Amman and Al Muntaha and Massimo Bottura’s Torno Subito in Dubai. She later became global executive chef of Fi'lia, the region's first female-led restaurant. Today, she is back in Amman as chef and co-founder of Dara Dining by Sara Aqel, a sustainability-driven restaurant that pairs Jordanian produce and Levantine dishes with Mediterranean flavors. Her restaurant won the Highest New Entry Award at MENA's 50 Best Restaurants in 2025 and in 2026 Aqel was named MENA's Best Female Chef. In her podcast, we will hear Sara Aqel tell about her Palestinian roots and upbringing in Jordan, her connection to Jordanian produce, and the creative process behind the menu at Dara Dining. She will also reveal some of her favourite places in Amman and the rest of the world. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Nancy Silverton is a chef, baker, restaurateur, cookbook author and co-owner of the Mozza Restaurant Group in Los Angeles. Since starting her chef’s career in LA in 1982, she has opened numerous restaurants, most recently Max & Helen's in LA together with Phil Rosenthal. She has received the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award, and been featured in both Netflix's Chef's Table and Masterclass. She has also written eleven cookbooks and is an active fundraiser. In her podcast, we will hear Nancy Silverton tell about how she fell in love with cooking and what it actually takes to be a good restaurateur. She will also reveal some of her favourite places in Los Angeles and the rest of the world. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Khanh Nguyen is the chef behind Ashe, a Southeast Asian grill in Sydney's CBD, where he mixes flavours and techniques from across Vietnamese, Malay and Thai cooking. Nguyen also oversees the menu at sibling venue King Clarence, named Best New Restaurant in 2024. Before returning to Sydney, he co-founded restaurants Aru and Sunda in Melbourne, where he worked for five years. In his podcast, we will hear Khanh Nguyen tell about his Vietnamese-Australian heritage, his connection to Australian ingredients, and the creative process behind the fire-driven Southeast Asian menu at Ashe. He will also reveal some of his favourite places in Sydney, Melbourne and the rest of the world - and reveal the secrets of a perfect Pho soup and Bánh mì sandwich. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Pierre Thiam is a chef and cookbook author born in Dakar, Senegal. He lives in California and is the executive chef of Teranga, a New York-based fast-casual concept serving West African food and also the executive chef of Nok by Alara in Lagos, Nigeria — bridging fine dining with West African ingredients and culture. He also founded Yolélé, a food company creating economic opportunity for West African farmers through climate-smart agriculture. In his podcast, we will hear Pierre Thiam tell about his journey from Dakar in Senegal to bringing West African cuisine to the global stage and about his mission to champion ancient grains like fonio to scale resilient African crops, and how he has used food as an act of diplomacy. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Daniel Patterson is the chef and co-founder of newly opened Jacaranda in Los Angeles. He’s best known for his innovative cooking at two Michelin-starred Coi in San Francisco, which he opened in 2006. He was the co-founder and partner of Alta Adams in Los Angeles with chef Keith Corbin, and a co-founder of the fast food venture LocoL. He has also co-founded two non-profit organizations: The Cooking Project, that empowers youth through cooking, and LocoL Community, in the Watts neighborhood in LA. In his podcast, we will hear Daniel Patterson tell about his love for California, the local produce and the creative process of creating a dish. He will also reveal some of his favourite places in California and the rest of the world. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Gabriela Cámara is the chef and owner of Contramar, the Mexico City seafood restaurant she opened in 1998 in Colonia Roma, known for its tuna tostadas and pescado a la talla. She was born in Chihuahua, and raised in Mexico City. In 2015, Cámara opened Cala in San Francisco, a restaurant known for employing formerly incarcerated people, and since that, she has opened more than 20 restaurants. In her podcast, Gabriela Cámara shares her journey building a Mexico City institution, her thoughts on sourcing great Mexican produce, hospitality, and of course she will reveal her favorite taquerias and other restaurants in Mexico City. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Hussain Shahzad is the Executive Chef of Hunger Inc. Hospitality in Mumbai, the group behind Papa's, The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro and Veronica's. He grew up in Chennai, and after training with The Oberoi Hotel Group in Mumbai, he moved to New York in early 2014 to join Eleven Madison Park. There he met Indian chef Floyd Cardoz and in 2015 joined as sous chef of The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai. He has since led the The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro and Veronica's, and in February 2024 opened Papa's, a 12-seater chef's-counter restaurant. In his podcast, Hussain Shahzad will share his thoughts on contemporary Indian cuisine, and he will also reveal the secrets of a great Bombay Duck, which has nothing to do with duck. He will also guide us to the best eating in Mumbai and the rest of India. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Jess Shadbolt is the chef and co-founder of King, Jupiter and Deans in New York. She grew up in the UK, and joined The River Cafe as the assistant to Chefs Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers in 2009, before returning as a chef after having graduated from the Ballymaloe Cookery School in 2012. In 2018, she was named Best New Chef by Food and Wine Magazine. In March 2026, Jess Shadbolt opened Dean's in New York with co-partner Annie Shi as an ode to the great British pub, the traditions of British coastal cooking, nostalgic dishes and warm hospitality, inspired by Jess's upbringing in Suffolk. In her podcast, Jess Shadbolt will share her thoughts on the rise of British produce and gastronomy. She will also reveal some of her favourite places in New York, the UK and the rest of the world. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Fayçal Bettioui is the chef of Table 3 in Casablanca, Morocco. Bettioui grew up in a family of pastry chefs. close to the port in Casablanca, and fish and seafood was always a staple food in his family. His studies took him to the United States, where he switched to his chef’s career in some of the best restaurants in New York and Miami. He worked at Per Se in New York, and in 2011 opened his first restaurant in Miami Beach. He later moved to Europe, where he launched Restaurant Krone in Germany’s Pfalz wine region. After that, he and his family moved to Morocco, where he opened his fine-dining restaurant, La Table 3, in June 2024. In his podcast, Fayçal Bettioui will share his thoughts on Moroccan gastronomy. He will also reveal some of his favourite places in Morocco and the rest of the world. All the recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Max Rocha is the founder and chef of Café Cecilia in London. He was born in Dublin into a family of creatives. He started working in the music industry, but felt he needed something else in his life. After attending a bread baking course in London, he ventured into the restaurant world, working at iconic London restaurants like The River Café, St. John, and Spring. In 2021 he opened his restaurant Café Cecilia in East London. The restaurant quickly became a hit with locals and food critics. The restaurant was designed with Max’s dad John Rocha, the food leans on the family’s Irish heritage and the staff uniforms are designed by his sister Simone Rocha. In his podcast, Max Rocha will tell about his journey from Dublin to London, from the music industry to the restaurant kitchen and from a stressful life with addiction to running a sustainable restaurant in balance with his life. He will also reveal his favourite places in London, Dublin and the rest of the world. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Heidi Bjerkan is the chef and founder of Credo in Oslo, Norway. She grew up in the coastal town of Trondheim, where her grandfather, who was a fisherman, supplied the family with fresh fish and seafood. Her culinary journey took her from the Oslo Culinary School through some of Norway’s and Europe's most respected kitchens, including the Grand Hotel, the Queen Elizabeth II, Palace Grill, Bølgen & Moi and Claridge’s in London. In 1998 Heidi Bjerkan opened Credo in Trondheim. Almost 30 years later, she closed the restaurant and reopened it at the National Library in Oslo in 2025 where she also runs a bakery, canteen, food bar and summer terrace. In her podcast, Heidi Bjerkan shares her thoughts on how Credo is shaped by the respect for great Norwegian produce. She will also reveal some of her favourite places in Oslo and Trondheim. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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LG Han is the chef at Labyrinth in Singapore. Born to 3 generations of restaurateurs, food was never far from LG’s mind. He first studied finance at the London School of Economics and worked as a corporate banker in Singapore before quitting to pursue cooking. He cut his teeth working for internationally renowned chefs in Europe and Singapore, gaining a passion for the restaurant kitchen. In 2014, he founded Labyrinth, encapsulating his roots and memories of growing up in Singapore. In 2017, his restaurant was awarded a Michelin star and in 2021 it was recognised amongst Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. In the podcast we will hear LG Han tell about his obsession for great produce, finding the perfect cooking technique and telling the culinary story of Singapore. He will also reveal his favourite places for all the great dishes in his hometown. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Albert Franch Sunyer is the chef and co-owner of Restaurant Nolla in Helsinki, Finland. Born in a small mining town in Catalonia in Spain, as a young student he left his biology studies behind, to explore his passion for cooking at Michelin-starred restaurants in Barcelona. As a pastry and dessert chef, he worked in Thailand and then moved to work at Helsinki’s top restaurants. He and his two colleagues then opened Nolla, a pioneering restaurant in sustainable gastronomy, and the first zero-waste restaurant in the Nordics. In the podcast, we will hear about Albert Franch Sunyer’s desire to serve great food without compromising zero-waste values and about his vision of the progressive changes that are needed in the restaurant industry. At the end of the podcast he will reveal his favourite restaurants in Helsinki, Barcelona and the rest of the world. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Lynn Hazim is the owner and restaurateur of Middle Child in Dubai. She grew up in Beirut in Lebanon as the middle child of her food-obsessed family. Hazim made a career in the corporate world and moved to Dubai ten years ago working as a Google executive with a food blog. During covid, she gradually made the shift to becoming a cook, host and just some months ago, a restaurateur. This year, she was awarded the One To Watch Award by the 50 Best Restaurants. Her restaurant, Middle Child, is part restaurant serving an all-day menu with Hazim’s favourite dishes, part cookbook shop and pantry. In this podcast Lynn Hazim will tell how she made the switch to restaurateur and also how she operates in a country at war. At the end of the podcast she will reveal her favourite restaurants in Dubai and the rest of the world. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Luke Selby is the chef at Palé Hall Hotel in North Wales. Selby started cooking when he was 14, and he began his career at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, where he progressed from commis chef to sous chef under Raymond Blanc, before moving on to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Hide. He then ran the kitchen at Soho restaurant Evelyn’s Table with his brothers, where they received a Michelin star. A Roux Scholar and National Chef of the Year winner, Selby is recognised for his progressive cooking shaped by international experience, strong seasonal sourcing and clarity of flavour. After returning to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in 2025, in 2026 he moved to Snowdonia, as Chef Partner at Palé Hall Hotel. At the end of the podcast Luke Selby will reveal his favourite restaurants in the UK and the rest of the world. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Ivan Ralston Bielawski is the chef and owner of Tuju in São Paulo. He was born in São Paulo in 1985, and comes from a family with strong ties to gastronomy; his parents are the founders of the Brasilian Ráscal restaurant chain. He initially studied music at the Berklee College of Music in the United States, but in his twenties decided to follow his true passion: cooking. He then trained abroad and worked at some of the world’s most famous restaurants, including El Celler de Can Roca and Mugaritz in Spain, and RyuGin in Japan. In 2014, Ivan Ralston opened Tuju in São Paulo. Just one year later, the restaurant earned its first Michelin star, and in 2016, it joined the list of the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. In this podcast, we will hear about Ivan Ralston’s Brazilian identity with multiple ethnic backgrounds. At the end of the podcast he will reveal his favourite restaurants in Brazil and the rest of the world. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Jacob Kear is the chef and owner of Lurra in Kyoto, Japan. Born to a Japanese mother in California, he grew up both in Japan and the US. After completing culinary school in Pasadena, and working in hotel kitchens, he won a national competition on the Food Network that caught the attention of a restaurant in Korea where he became the executive chef at the age of twenty-four. He then trained in kitchens across Europe, Asia, and North America, among them Noma in Copenhagen. In 2019 he returned to Japan and founded Lurra in an old townhouse in Kyoto, where he blends technical precision with strict seasonality and craft. In this podcast, we will hear about Jacob Kear’s search of his place in the culinary world, and his deep respect of the Japanese culinary tradition. At the end of the podcast he will reveal his favourite restaurants in Kyoto and the rest of the world. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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Yasmina Hayek is the Executive Head Chef at Em Sherif restaurants and cafés, and she is based in Beirut, Lebanon. She grew up in a family where food brought people together, told stories and upheld traditions. As a child, she loved visiting her mother Mireille’s restaurants and that led her to studies at the Institut Paul Bocuse in France, before working in Michelin-starred kitchens, from Paris to Copenhagen. She later returned to Beirut to work at Em Sherif, which has grown from the original restaurant in Beirut to branches in Harrods London, Monaco, in Abu Dhabi and many other locations. In this podcast we will hear about the legacy of Lebanese dining Yasmina Hayek is spreading around the world. At the end of the podcast she will reveal his favourite restaurants in Beirut, Copenhagen and the rest of the world. The recommendations mentioned in this podcast and thousands more are available in the World of Mouth app: https://www.worldofmouth.app/

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