Season 9: Episode 02: Paul McKenna

My first TV chef! How exciting! What an eye opening, inspiring conversation I had with Ching. As a young child growing up in Taiwan, she opened up to me about the family dynamic of living on a farm, eating together and the foods they would eat as a whole community. She relives her life in South Africa, where she then had to leave due to the unrest in the late 80s, and her journey to becoming a TV chef and business owner in the UK.She discusses the difficulties she faced when opening her first food business at aged 21, Fuji, and how she balanced this along with her burgeoning TV career. We obviously spent a lot of time talking about the intricacies of Chinese cooking, the flavours and spices, and she perfectly explains to me the difference between a frying pan and a wok!! Very important!This episode is sponsored by Squirrel Sisters – who are on a mission to help you treat your health. They have a range of healthy snacks, bars and nibbles that can be found in stores across the nation including Waitrose, Holland and Barrett, Selfridges and online on Amazon.All their products are 100% natural, vegan, gluten-free and made with the highest quality ingredients, and most importantly - do not have any added sugars! It’s a win win for all! Follow them @squirrelsistersSTILL not had enough of me?! Head on over to the Crazy Sexy Food YouTube channel to check out all the offerings over there! The food show episodes, Crazy Sexy Quickies cooking demos, food walks and so much more!Social Media:@chinghehuang@crazysexyfood@hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Juni 20201h 1min

**This episode was recorded before the brutal, unjust killing of George Floyd, and subsequent global Black Lives Matter protests. There is no room for racism of any kind in my world, your world and our world. I hope this finally brings change to an issue that will be silenced no more.**Due to the ongoing CO-VID19 Pandemic, this interview was recorded remotely so please do bear with me if there’s any technical or audio issues.Melissa Hemsley is a dear friend of mine and the poster girl for delicious, wholesome cooking. Not only beautiful on the outside, she’s rather fabulous on the inside too.We discuss how her and her sister, Jasmine, came to make a name of themselves as the duo Hemsley & Hemsley, cooking for a whole host of celebrities, as well as delving into her personal journey as a cook. She speaks up about important issues such as sustainability, eating locally and by season. And she discusses her very interesting Filipino heritage and how it’s played a part in her career.She discusses her Filipino heritage and how her mum is VERY secretive about her recipes, and I remind her about the funny story of how we met; which involved a cake make of cannellini beans!This episode is sponsored by Squirrel Sisters – who are on a mission to help you treat your health. They have a range of healthy snacks, bars and nibbles that can be found in stores across the nation including Waitrose, Holland and Barrett, Selfridges and online on Amazon.All their products are 100% natural, vegan, gluten-free and made with the highest quality ingredients, and most importantly - do not have any added sugars! It’s a win win for all! Follow them @squirrelsistersSTILL not had enough of me?! Head on over to the Crazy Sexy Food YouTube channel to check out all the offerings over there! The food show episodes, Crazy Sexy Quickies cooking demos, food walks and so much more!Social Media:@melissa.hemsley@crazysexyfood@hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Juni 202054min

**This episode was recorded before the brutal, unjust killing of George Floyd, and subsequent global Black Lives Matter protests. There is no room for racism of any kind in my world, your world and our world. I hope this finally brings change to an issue that will be silenced no more.**I’M BAAAAAACK!! Did you miss me?!I can’t believe I’m onto the second season! And what a season it’s going to be!As a close family friend, Stephen and I have known each other for a while, but I had never sat down with him to really delve into his life story and how he came to bI’M BAAAAAACK!! Did you miss me?!I can’t believe I’m onto the second season! And what a season it’s going to be!As a close family friend, Stephen and I have known each other for a while, but I had never sat down with him to really delve into his life story and how he came to be a jewellery designer to the stars.From his humble beginnings in Kent, to art school and apprenticeships, his time living in Canada was a very touching story and tribute to the effects of depression and it’s link to eating disorders – in men.More recently, his venture into restaurants as well as living with a very foodie wife, Stephen speaks eloquently about the food he loves and the places he eats in.We bond over our absolute love for a packet of Monster Munch, the best crisp in the world, which is why I have such respect for him!!I was also given an education into his jewellery world, how he creates his eye catching pieces, and how he created his synonymous range, Crystal Haze.This episode is sponsored by Squirrel Sisters – who are on a mission to help you treat your health. They have a range of healthy snacks, bars and nibbles that can be found in stores across the nation including Waitrose, Holland and Barrett, Selfridges and online on Amazon.All their products are 100% natural, vegan, gluten-free and made with the highest quality ingredients, and most importantly - do not have any added sugars! It’s a win win for all! Follow them @squirrelsistersSTILL not had enough of me?! Head on over to the Crazy Sexy Food YouTube channel to check out all the offerings over there! The food show episodes, Crazy Sexy Quickies cooking demos, food walks and so much more!Social Media:@stephenwebsterjewellery@crazysexyfood@hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____Music by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Juni 202059min

It’s the final episode of season 1!!! I feel quite emotional writing this!But there was only one way to end this incredible season, and that was with PIZZA! My favourite food in the world!What a pleasure it was to sit down with Mark Wogan, the man behind the leading pizza restaurant in London, Homeslice. Famed for its 20-inch New York sized pizzas, Homeslice is at the forefront of innovative pizzas, toppings and overall experience at any of its 6 locations.Mark and I speak all about his childhood growing up in a foodie background, working as a chef at places such as The Neal Street Restaurant and The Groucho Club before moving onto the serious matter of pizza.He may have a serious love for good food (in particular, oysters at the bar at Bentley’s) but his real love and dedication is very much within the Homeslice brand. Their pizzas are seriously good, and I am not being biased – I’m just a connoisseur.Such a fan that I am, Mark invited me to come and have a pizza masterclass with the head chef, Morris, before we recorded the podcast. The video and slightly embarrassing efforts on my part can be seen on the Crazy Sexy Food YouTube channel. It’s definitely worth a watch!And so I leave you, but not for long. Stay tuned for an even better Season 2. In the meantime, catch up on our daily antics on Instagram, and the aforementioned YouTube channel.Thank you to all my wonderful and diverse guests and to each and every listener and supporter. Until next time……@homesliceldnHosted & created by @hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Apr 202049min

What a woman Theresa Roberts is! Born and raised in Jamaica, sent over to the UK by her parents at 7, where she then embarked into the world of art, property and philanthropy in her adult life. She owns what has been regarded one of the most beautiful properties in the Caribbean, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. And if that wasn’t enough, she created and launched the Jamaica Patty Company, selling the most delicious Jamaican patties this side of the Atlantic.We discuss her incredibly idyllic childhood growing up in her home country and her thoughts on the UK when she was brought over as a young girl. Her love of art and entertaining is ingrained in her blood; she supports both Jamaican and British artists and has had the likes of Usain Bolt and Sean Paul at her house, Hanover Grange, in Jamaica!In 2013 she opened the Jamaica Patty Company in Covent Garden, London, which she details as the hardest venture she’s achieved to date.We recorded inside the restaurant and hysterically got interrupted halfway through as Theresa had to go and tell off her staff for not working whilst she had her eye off them!!Please go and visit the Jamaica Patty Company and you’ll understand why her patties and food are the best example of true Jamaican flavour and taste in the UK.@jamaicapattyco26 New Row, Covent Garden, LondonHosted & created by @hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Apr 202035min

I have so much to thank these two for! I experienced my first ever retreat last year with these two at their outpost in Mallorca. I was sent out to document my time through my eyes and lens. And I came back a different person – if only all my assignment were like this!The Body Camp is the leading holistic, transformational retreat destination; a perfect blend of fitness, wellness and the best plant based food courtesy of Ben!I drove to Surrey and interviewed the guys at the new home of The Body Camp UK – a beautiful country house with swarming grounds. We talk all things fitness, wellness, plant based food (and the pros and cons of keeping such a diet), and the ethos behind the brand and how they’ve set themselves apart from other retreats on offer.We delve into their unique childhoods growing up above a pub and helping their dad out on a daily basis, and I get to really find out the nitty gritty behind the brand and the incredible staff and experts they have helping them lead the retreats and how it’s such a transformational experience.At some point, everyone needs to go and experience The Body Camp – take my word for it!@thebodycampibiza@thebodycampmallorca@thebodycampukHosted & created by @hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Apr 20201h 2min

I was so excited to sit down with the couple behind my favourite restaurants! It was a real fangirl moment! We spoke about their lives growing up in different parts of Israel, Jewish food, moving to the UK and working in different kitchens until they started at Ottolenghi and helped open many of Yotam’s outposts. And then we got to talk real business – opening Honey & Co and delving into the processes behind some of their most famous dishes!I loved hearing about their different upbringings and the food they were around as children, their time in the Israeli army and their transition to working in kitchens. Their journey as cooks was up and down and we realise that we used to work opposite each other when they were at Ottolenghi in Kensington!I even got to ask them the secret behind their infamous cheesecake. If you know, you know!@honeyandco@crazysexyfood@hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Apr 202059min

I was delighted to catch up with Millie before the imminent arrival of her baby girl. We met at her fabulous new home and ate lemon drizzle cake and discussed her childhood growing up in a foodie family, how she approaches fitness whilst pregnant and her new collaboration with Body By Simone.We delved into her time on Made In Chelsea and how she dealt with the fame and change of path it created for her.We bonded over some awful fashion choices we made in the early 2000s as well as foods we love and hate! And she disclosed the most fabulous dinner party guests she’d invite to her dream dinner!@milliemackintosh@crazysexyfood@hannahharleyMusic by @casnova____ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Mars 202048min