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In this final episode of the ChefJKP Podcast season 7, host James Knight-Paccheco sits down with Reim El Houni - a veteran in the world of television and media.

Reem shares her fascinating journey, from discovering her passion for television at a young age to founding her own successful production company, TI22 Films.

Throughout the discussion, Reim emphasises the importance of perseverance, building relationships, and developing strong camera presence and visibility - lessons that are applicable not just for chefs, but for anyone looking to build a successful career.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Childhood food memories growing up in Libya, including the prominence of pasta, bread, and spicy Libyan dishes like harissa
• Discovering a passion for television and media at a young age
• The founding of her production company TI 22 Films and how it evolved over the years
• The critical importance of having strong camera presence and visibility
• Advice for budding presenters, including finding your niche, being persistent, and leveraging social media

You can follow Reim on HERE

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In this episode of the ChefJKP Podcast, Shaw Lash, the chef and founder of Lila Taqueria, shares her culinary journey, starting from her childhood memories of Mexican cuisine to her professional experiences working with renowned chefs.

Throughout the episode, Shaw discusses the intricacies of Mexican cuisine, dives into her transition from being a chef to a culinary producer and touchs on the challenges and successes faced in opening Lila Taqueria.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Childhood food memories and culinary influences
• Transition from politics to culinary career
• Lessons learned from working with Rick Bayless
• Inspiration and journey to establish Lila Taqueria
• The unique dining experience at Lila Taqueria

You can follow Shaw on HERE

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In this episode of the ChefJKP Podcast, founder of Aroma Di Olio Magdalena Orzechowska, shares her incredible journey from a corporate career to becoming a health advocate and olive oil expert after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

She discusses the intricacies of running an olive oil business, provides tips on choosing the best extra virgin olive oils, and shares her passion for educating people on the incredible health benefits of high-quality olive oil.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Growing up in Poland during the communist era and the types of foods available
• Magdalena's educational path and her initial career in banking
• Magdalena's breast cancer diagnosis and how it led her to discover the power of the Mediterranean diet
• Magdalena's journey to becoming a master olive oil sommelier and starting Aroma Di Olio
• Tips on cooking with and consuming high-quality extra virgin olive oil

You can follow Magdalena on HERE

You can see more of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils on HERE

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In this episode of the ChefJKP Podcast, host James Knight-Paccheco sits down with Alex Augusti, the food blogger and influencer behind the popular Instagram account JustFoodDXB.
Alex shares his journey from working in restaurants as a teenager to building a successful food content business in Dubai.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Alex's childhood food memories growing up in Cyprus with his Greek grandfather.
• The challenges of learning social media and video content creation from scratch.
• Navigating conflicts with restaurants over negative reviews and the importance of authenticity.
• Strategies for effective food content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
• Thoughts on the differences between "influencers" and "food bloggers".

You can follow Alex on HERE

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In this episode of the ChefJKP Podcast, we delve into the inspiring and challenging journey of Prachi Kulkarni, a highly trained and qualified chef who has overcome cancer.
The episode begins with Prachi sharing her childhood food memories and her transition into the culinary world.
She recounts her experience working in various kitchens, including a detailed exploration of her time in the butchery.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Prachi’s time in the butchery and her transition into fitness as a chef.
• Prachi’s misdiagnosis, subsequent cancer diagnosis, and the beginning of her treatment journey.
• The challenges of continuing work while undergoing chemotherapy.
• Navigating the complexities of cancer treatment and recovery.
• Her love of all things gastronomy.
• Pushing beyond your limits.

You can follow Prachi on HERE

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In this episode, Chef Kyung Soo Moon shares with the podcast his incredible journey from wanting to be a policeman as a child to becoming one of the top chefs in the Middle East.

He discusses his early passion for food, learning Japanese cuisine, and the challenges he faced breaking into the industry. Chef Moon also talks about his experiences working in iconic hotels like the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa, as well as opening the renowned Sushi Samba restaurant in Dubai.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Chef Moon's childhood food memories and decision to become a chef
• Moving to Dubai and working at the Address and Armani Hotels
• Opening and overseeing Sushi Samba in Dubai
• Tailoring menus for different markets and expanding the Sushi Samba brand
• Challenges of managing multiple restaurants globally

You can follow him on HERE

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In this deeply heartfelt episode, Chef James Knight Pachecco celebrates the life and legacy of the late Chef Greg Malouf, a true pioneer in modern Middle Eastern cuisine. Over the weekend, the culinary world lost an icon, and in this special tribute, Chef James reflects on the incredible impact Greg had on chefs and food lovers around the globe.

From his co-authorship of eight influential books to his role in bringing Middle Eastern flavours to the global stage, Greg was more than just a chef—he was a visionary and a mentor. This episode revisits personal stories, tributes from industry peers, and Chef James' own memories of interviewing Greg in 2021. During that interview, Greg’s kindness, humour, and wisdom left an indelible mark on Chef James, who fondly recalls their conversation about food, travel, and life.

Join Chef James as he raises a glass to Greg—his favourite Negroni—and invites listeners to do the same, in remembrance of a man who changed the culinary landscape forever.

"Thank you, Greg, for your kindness, your brilliance, and the memories that will live on."

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In this episode, host James Knight-Paccheco is joined by Michelle Johnson, the co-founder and managing partner of the award-winning Pitfire Pizza brand.

Michelle shares the incredible journey of how she and her husband Bill turned their pizza passion into a thriving business, overcoming challenges and building a beloved brand in the Middle East.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Growing up in rural Alabama and the food scene there
• Michelle's educational and career path, from accounting to human resources
• The origins of the Pitfire Pizza brand name and concept
• Overcoming challenges and legal battles in the early days of Pitfire
• Developing the Pitfire menu and recipes

You can follow Michele on HERE

This show is brought to you by LUVV FITS Gourmet Protein Bars, you can follow them on HERE

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