#021 - Mark Birchall & Tom Shepherd - Graft, Grit & Greatness in Competition

Guests:

Mark Birchall - Chef Patron, Moor Hall (Three Michelin Stars) & Chair of National Chef of the Year Judges

Tom Shepherd - Chef Patron, Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (One Michelin Star) & Chair of Young National Chef of the Year Judges

Host: Phil Street

Recorded in the crypt at Fortnum & Mason on launch day of National Chef of the Year, Phil is joined by two of the UK’s most respected chefs, Mark Birchall and Tom Shepherd, now leading the judging panels for National Chef of the Year and Young National Chef of the Year.

From three Michelin stars to Staffordshire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant (At the time, congrats to "The Boat" since recording), this is a conversation about graft, humility, resilience, and what truly matters when it comes to cooking at the highest level.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Mark’s journey from school food tech classes to building Moor Hall into a three star destination
2. Tom’s early days in the Lake District and the moment he realised cooking was his calling.
3. The reality behind Michelin success, and the doubts that come before the breakthroughs.
4. Why hard work often trumps “natural talent”
5. The evolution of their own restaurants and why perfection is always a moving target
6. What they’re looking for in this year’s National and Young National Chef competitors
7. Why flavour beats fireworks every single time
8. The biggest kitchen clangers they’ve made along the way (yes, even three-star chefs mess up)

Listen now for:

1. Why confidence and authenticity matter more than complexity in competition.
2. The importance of cooking your food, not someone else’s Instagram version of it.
3. Why judges want to see personality on the plate.
4. How to handle pressure and still enjoy the moment.

Memorable Quotes:

1. “You sit down, you’ve got a plate of food, you want it to be delicious” - Mark Birchall
2. “Don’t look at Instagram and recreate someone else’s dish. Cook your food” - Tom Shepherd
3. “You’ve got to really want it” - Mark Birchall
4. “No one’s exempt from making mistakes” - Tom Shepherd

This episode is for:

1. Chefs considering entering National or Young National Chef of the Year
2. Hospitality professionals striving for excellence without losing themselves
3. Young chefs needing reassurance that doubt is normal, even at the top
4. Anyone fascinated by what truly drives Michelin-level ambition

Links & Resources:

1. Phil Street (Host): LinkedIn & Instagram @hospitalitymeets
2. Moor Hall
3. Upstairs by Tom Shepherd
4. National & Young National Chef of the Year
5. Craft Guild of Chefs

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