Episodes

  • S18 Ep3: José Pizarro
    Feb 11 2025
    My guest today is José Pizarro.

    José has been been cooking in the UK for over 25 years. He grew up in the outermost Western province of Spain and never thought of working in food, in fact he was all set to become a dental technician before fate intervened. He arrived in the UK in 1999 seeking to expand his horizons as a chef and has since become one of the industry’s best-loved characters.

    He worked at several Spanish restaurants, including Brindisa, where he was executive chef. Then, in 2011, he opened two restaurants of his own on Bermondsey Street, south-east London: a tiny tapas bar named José and the larger Pizarro, both instant hits. Many more restaurants and cookbooks have followed all championing Spanish cuisine. In recognition of his “extraordinary services to Spain”, Pizarro was awarded the officer’s cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic by the Spanish ambassador in London.

    He says when it comes to cooking, he has a mantra, “Buy the best and don’t mess it up” - often described as The Godfather of Spanish cuisine in the UK.

    If you enjoy Desert Island Dishes make sure to subscribe and I will see you next week.
    Thank you for listening!

    This episode was a Rutherford Production.
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    36 mins
  • S18 Ep2: Ferne McCann, TV presenter and reality TV star on the dishes that have shaped her
    Feb 4 2025
    Ferne is a TV presenter, reality TV star, social media sensation and entrepreneur. She shot to fame on hit reality series The Only Way is Essex where she quickly became a fan favourite. She’s gone on to front her own ITVBE series Ferne Mccann - First Time Mum which ran from 2018 - 2024 and documented her journey into motherhood with her two daughters. Since then she has graced our screens on shows like I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Celebrity SAS - who dares wins.

    She made it to the semi final of Celebrity Best Home Cook and says that food is her love language.
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    53 mins
  • S18 Ep1: Gwyneth Paltrow, Oscar winning actress and founder of Goop on the dishes that have shaped her life
    Jan 28 2025
    Gwyneth won an Oscar for her role in Shakespeare in love at the age of just 26 and she has since gone on to become an entrepreneur as the founder of the digital media, e-commerce and lifestyle brand and behemoth Goop. She founded Goop at the age of 36 which grew from a simple newsletter into one of the most influential businesses in the world.

    She’s hosted TV shows, starred in some of the most iconic films and tv shows we all know and love, and has written multiple best selling cookbooks. We explore the story of how she got to where she is today and her passion for cooking, her love of food and the belief that family really is everything.

    Thank you so much for listening. Don't forget to follow and subscribe so you don't miss an episode and I will see you next week.

    Find me on instagram @desertislanddishes and @desertislanddishespodcast

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    48 mins
  • S16 Ep9: Superstar chef Nuno Mendes on the dishes that have shaped his life, his greatest success and the best dish he'd ever eaten
    Dec 12 2024

    We have a bonus episode for you today in the form of Nuno Mendes. Described as the chefs chef, Nuno has had an incredible career. He thought of becoming a marine biologist but quickly changed direction and after enrolling at culinary school, he's never looked back. He has worked with some of the world’s leading chefs, such as Wolfgang Puck before moving to London and opening the cult ground breaking Loft Project and world famous Chiltern Firehouse. His latest restaurant Lisboeta is an ode to his home country and has already made waves since it’s opening.


    Thank you so much to Comté Cheese for sponsoring this episode of Desert Island Dishes. Comté Cheese is genuinely one of my favourite cheeses in the world.


    It’s a delicious cheese to eat on its own, worthy of any cheese board but it’s also so brilliant to cook with. I love it with baked pasta, or gratins or the most amazing toasted cheese sandwiches. The taste and texture changes as it ages - so you get some young Comté that tastes buttery and almost with caramel notes and then more matured Comté is a bit more nutty and slightly fruity. So incredibly good. And the best news is they are now available at all major supermarkets.


    Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe if you enjoy today's episode and you can find me over on Instagram @Desertislanddishes or over on the website www.desertislanddishes.co. You can also sign up for my newsletter where I send you one easy and delicious weeknight recipe over at www.dinnertonight.substack.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    48 mins
  • Side Dish: The Dream Dinner Party with Georgina Hayden (mini episode)
    Nov 28 2024

    My guest this week on The Dream Dinner Party is Georgina Hayden. Georgie was on Desert Island Dishes a few years ago now, well worth going back and having a listen if you haven't heard it before. I love her food and her writing and I feel confident she would throw a very good dinner party!


    Thank you so much or listening.Thank you very much to our sponsor for this season: Maldon Salt. Maldon Salt are passionate about the love of food and helping connect people in moments of pleasure from food and drink and so are the perfect match for Desert Island Dishes. Find out more at www.maldonsalt.com


    Thank you so much or listening to the dream dinner party, these really are fun to do so I hope they're fun to listen to. Find more at https://desertislanddishes.co/



    This episode was produced by Rutherford Productions.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    29 mins
  • S16 Ep8: Manon La Greve on how The Great British Bake Off Changed her life, turning failure into a positive and
    Nov 26 2024

    It's the season finale and my guest today is Manon La Greve.


    Born and raised in France, Manon came to the UK to work as an au pair and then rose to fame as a quarter finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2018 and has become known and loved for her delicious French inspired recipes. Described as a culinary sensation, she’s now the author of two cookbooks,


    She says she takes inspiration not only from her French heritage, and her London discoveries, but also from her travels around the world. When asked to describe her cooking style in 3 words she’s said it is French food made easy.


    Thank you so much to the brilliant Maldon Salt for sponsoring this season of Desert Island Dishes. I am a huge fan and long-time genuine customer so to be working with them is a dream come true.


    Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe if you enjoy today's episode and you can find me over on Instagram @Desertislanddishes or over on the website www.desertislanddishes.co. You can also sign up for my newsletter where I send you one easy and delicious weeknight recipe over at www.dinnertonight.substack.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    43 mins
  • Side Dish: The Dream Dinner Party with Melissa Hemsley (mini episode)
    Nov 21 2024

    My guest this week on The Dream Dinner Party is Melissa Hemsley. Melissa was on Desert Island Dishes a few years ago now, well worth going back and having a listen if you haven't heard it before. Melissa is such a warm and lovely person, I felt sure she would throw a brilliant dream dinner party.


    Thank you so much or listening.Thank you very much to our sponsor for this season: Maldon Salt. Maldon Salt are passionate about the love of food and helping connect people in moments of pleasure from food and drink and so are the perfect match for Desert Island Dishes. Find out more at www.maldonsalt.com


    Thank you so much or listening to the dream dinner party, these really are fun to do so I hope they're fun to listen to. Find more at https://desertislanddishes.co/



    This episode was produced by Rutherford Productions.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    25 mins
  • S16 Ep7: Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York on the dishes that have shaped her life
    Nov 19 2024

    My guest today is Sarah, Duchess of York


    Sarah is a Sunday Times and New York Times best-selling author, award winning producer and philanthropist.


    For over 30 years she has been committed to being a voice for forgotten children around the world. She founded Children in Crisis in 1993 and the charity has educated over 1.4 million children. The Duchess also champions the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Children’s Air Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation and Julia’s House to name just a few and it was recently announced she is now a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer, as patron, she will focus on spreading the word about the importance of early detection.


    Over the course of her career, she has written over 70 books and her latest children’s book Wonder in the Woods - a joy filled celebration of the power of community and being connected to the world around you is out now.


    Thank you so much to the brilliant Maldon Salt for sponsoring this season of Desert Island Dishes. I am a huge fan and long-time genuine customer so to be working with them is a dream come true.


    Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe if you enjoy today's episode and you can find me over on Instagram @Desertislanddishes or over on the website www.desertislanddishes.co. You can also sign up for my newsletter where I send you one easy and delicious weeknight recipe over at www.dinnertonight.substack.com



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    44 mins