It's the season finale of Beyond the Pass and Marie Mitchell is here! Marie is a British-Caribbean cultural practitioner, writer, and cook whose work sits where food, community, and storytelling meet.

Marie’s debut cookbook, Kin: Caribbean Recipes for the Modern Kitchen, has earned major acclaim, including the Fortnum & Mason Debut Cookery Award 2025 and praise from all corners of the culinary world. She’s also a regular on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and a contributor to The Guardian, Eater and Harpers Bazar just to name a few! Tune in to hear us chat learning by doing, why nourishment, care and community are central to everything she does, and the joy of a truly elite scrambled egg sandwich.

Quickfire favourites include: M&S chicken goujons, neighbourhood spot Singburi, celebrity crush Teyana Taylor and a whole host of best dishes to be found at Gina's, Singburi and the Brooklyn vegan spot Aunts et Uncles.

A massive shout out to Marie's Hospitality Heroes - a four way tie between Ixta Belfrage (for inspiration), Melec Erdal (for thinking about romance and beauty), Melissa Thompson (for laughs and thinking about being a better person) and Ravneet Gill (for generally being a bad bitch).

Pick up a copy of the brilliant Kin here. This episode was recorded in October 2026.

Mandy Yin is here! Chef, restaurateur, and the force behind London’s beloved Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Mandy moved to London as a child and started out as a corporate lawyer before following her passion for food. Her laksa bar has become a North London institution, celebrated for its bold, aromatic flavours and modern takes on Malaysian classics. She’s also the author of two bestselling cookbooks, Sambal Shiok and Simply Malaysian, and a familiar face on Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef: The Professionals. Alongside her work as a chef, Mandy is committed to building a workplace that champions equal opportunity and mutual respect.

Tune in to hear us talk about the powerful influence of Malaysian food culture, the balancing act of being an independent operator, and the journey to making a Laksa so good that people queue up in the snow for it.

Quickfire favourites include curry puffs, a yoghurt-covered flapjack from Holland & Barrett, neighbourhood spot Chu Chin Chow and the impossible to get right anywhere but Malaysia Char Kway Teow. A very special shout out to Mandy's Hospitality Hero Ravneet Gill who consistently brings transparency and brilliance to the table in equal measure.

You can pick up a copy of the BRILLIANT Simply Malaysian here.

This episode was recorded in November 2025.

Conor Gadd is here!

Conor started cooking at 16 under Michelin-starred chef Paul Rankin in Belfast. His style was later shaped by travels through Asia, time in Auckland, and training a Ballymaloe, where he developed a passion for seasonal, ingredient-led food. He went on to help launch Terroirs in London before joining Trullo in Highbury, where he became Head Chef and stayed for over a decade. Now a Co-owner at Trullo, Conor brings more than 20 years of experience to the table, and we are delighted to be sharing this great conversation.

Tune in to hear us talk about the foundations of a building a solid team, the superiority of the potato and the brilliant side of creating a career in restaurants.

Quickfire favourites include celebrity crushes Shane Lowry and Rory Mcllory*, snacking on a bag of flame grilled steak crisps with a can of Coke, and the best dish he’s ever eaten: tagliarini with white truffle butter, Parmesan and egg yolk at Trullo.

*We recorded this episode in September right after the Ryder Cup lol

Anna Tobias is here! Anna began her career at Blueprint Café under Jeremy Lee before spending four formative years at The River Café. She later became Head Chef at Rochelle Canteen, guided by Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold, who encouraged her to find her own voice in the kitchen and her own approach to hospitality. After Rochelle Canteen, Anna freelanced, including a residency at P. Franco. In 2020, she opened Café Deco with the team from 40 Maltby Street, where she leads as Head Chef and owner. Alongside cooking beautiful food, she is committed to creating meaningful change in kitchens, championing team welfare at the fore front.

Tune in to hear us talk about building a restaurant with intention, creating a kitchen culture rooted in respect, and why the humble potato is the best ingredient there is. Quickfire favourites include neighbourhood spot Oi Vita, a packet of plain salted crisps, and two unforgettable dishes: her mum’s broth with semolina dumplings, and a langoustine and crab lasagna by Phil Howard from the days of The Square that she still dreams about.

David Taylor is here! Trained under the guidance of Glynn Purnell before heading to Norway, David was part of the team that earned three Michelin stars at Oslo’s Maaemo, shaping his passion for seasonality, the discipline of responding to what the land yields, and the power of food as cultural storytelling.

In 2022, David opened his first solo restaurant, Grace & Savour at Hampton Manor, alongside his wife and restaurant director Anette Taylor. The response was instant, with a Michelin Star awarded just one year after opening. His second restaurant, Kynd, followed in February 2025, further cementing his thoughtful, produce-led approach to modern British cooking.

Tune in to hear us dive into peak-season British fruit, the emotional toll of picking crab , and why Hobnobs are an undefeated snack.

Quickfire favourites include many Birmingham greats including Early Bird Bakery, Grace & James and 670 Grams (providing the best meal David has had this year) plus a minced monkfish curry by chef DavidThompson that David still dreams about.

Biggest shout out of all to David’s Hospitality Hero: Brian Turner - an unsung legend of the industry whose generosity with time, mentorship, and encouragement has shaped countless careers, including his.

Chantelle Nicholson is here! She’s a multi-award-winning chef, restaurateur, and all-around force for a more conscious way of dining. As chef-owner of Apricity in London, proudly awarded a Green Michelin Star, Chantelle champions regeneration and circularity, weaving seasonality, locality, and a deeply people-first ethos into every corner of her kitchen and dining room.

Tune in to hear us chat conscious cooking, circular kitchens, favourite snacks, ultimate food memories, and why butter (specifically Kerrygold) reigns supreme.

Quickfire hits include Tyrrells salt & vinegar crisps, Supawan Thai as the go-to local gem, a pineapple red curry eaten in Thailand that still lives rent-free in Chantelle’s mind, and celebrity crushes of note including Nicola Walker, Gillian Anderson and Pamela Anderson (excellent taste, no notes).

While Chantelle's Hospitality Hero is still TBD, special shoutouts to Will & Hugh of Hawksmoor and Dan Barber of Blue Hill Farm for being industry inspirations.

Adam Leydon is here! Originally from the lovely Mersea Island in Essex, he has spent 20 years in hospitality, with the last 12 at Hawksmoor where he’s now the L&D Manager. He’s all about helping people grow their careers and takes a really people-focused, empathetic approach to everything he does. He’s a big foodie, loves eating out, and is the vice-captain of Graces Cricket Club, the world’s first LGBTQ+ cricket team. He's passionate about mental health, having hosted the Kelly's Cause ‘Reducing the Stigma’ event for International Men’s Day for the past two years.

Tune in to hear us get into the magic of empaths in hospitality, why curiosity is the antidote to judgement, and the soul-healing comfort of a good bowl of spaghetti carbonara.

Huge shoutout to Luigi’s Al Fresco at The Griffin for best meal of the year and to the kind, calm and empathetic Madeleine Geach for scooping up the title of Adam's Hospitality Hero!

Gina Knight is here! With 18 years of hospitality experience spanning hotels, bakeries, and restaurants, Gina brings sharp insight, compassion, and a mindset-first approach to everything she does. Now Head of People at Flat Iron and a coach, she’s all about helping others cut through the noise and focus on what really matters.

Tune in to hear us chat about creating a career in hospitality that works with your individuality, the power of the Lake District for a mindset reset and what it means to truly listen to your team.

Shout out to Bubala for best meal of the year, Vlatko Trayanov at Paul Rhodes for being a true Hospitality Hero, and to celebrity crush Ed Sheeran for being vibe captain.