Dominic Hamdy talks starting out in scotch eggs and his ever-expanding restaurant empire.

Today’s guest brings me to an achingly picturesque country pile in Oxfordshire. An enormously celebrated hotel, housing the renowned two Michelin starred restaurant Maison aux quat’saison which has retained its stars for 40 years and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.Raymond's infectious passion, drive and attention to detail has seen many a great chef pass through his kitchens and go on to in turn to reach dizzy heights within the world of food. Landing on British soil in 1972, his  52 years in the industry has seen his aptitude for French gastronomy catapult him to fame. A whopping ten cookery books, numerous television shows, a two star restaurant and a chain of brasseries with over 40 sites across the uk are just some of his achievements! 2008 saw him receive an honorary OBE for his work promoting culinary excellence and raising awareness around the importance of healthy food. He currently resides as President of the sustainable restaurant association, something else he is truly passionate about. Follow Raymond Blanc OBE HEREFollow Anna Barnett HERE to see some behind the scenes sandwich making and wine drinking!

Dominic Hamdy started out by whipping up the best scotch egg in town, from market stalls to a wholesale business with the likes of Selfridges and Wholefoods as clients. Scotchtails didn’t in fact continue to scale but instead morphed into something much broader. First a Nordic inspired coffee shop on the Strand which was sold ahead of launching the enormously successful Crispin in Spitalfields. Think small plates, seasonal produce and an epic wine list of low intervention and natural wines. Many a chef collaboration helped cement its popularity and a further three restaurants have followed; Bar Crispin in Soho, Bistro Freddie in Shoreditch and Crispin at Studio Voltaire in Clapham. It's almost impossible to get a table currently. The fashion crowd are big fans as is just about everybody else! Follow Bistro Freddie HERE Follow Crispin HERE Follow Dominic Hamdy HERE And you can follow me Anna Barnett HERE

Danilo Cortellini is one of my favourite Italian exports. Before landing on British soil over fourteen years ago there were stints at the revered San Domenico near Bologna and Perbellini in Verona, both of which hold two Michelin stars. London saw him throw himself into 3 Michelin starred French restaurant Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, a brave move for an Italian chef!He carved out a career based on discipline, precision and dedication which put him in good stead to take over the role as head chef at the Italian Embassy, an esteemed position which he held for over 9 years. Catering for and hosting both intimate dinners and galas alike for dignitaries and on plenty of occasions the rich and famous, it was there that he had his first cookery book published ‘4 Grosvenor Square’.2015 saw him compete on Masterchef The professionals, where he made it to the finals!The pandemic was the turning point in his career, catapulting this Italian chef towards social media stardom. He went on to amass almost half a million followers across instagram alone. His Italian heritage is firmly at the forefront of everything he does and his dedicated followers wait with bated breath for his every post. Better Than Nonna is available to pre order now.Follow Danilo here

Queen of all things sweet, Ravneet Gill is a self confessed sugar addict and the ultimate baking critic. The past four years have bought with it 3 books, one being the ultimate baking bible, an actual baby and a tv career to boot! 2021 saw her step into the shoes of Prue Leith as one of the judges on junior bake off. 2023 saw her join Michel Roux Junior and Mike Reid on Ch4’s Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef. This cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef has worked her way around some of London’s best pastry sections, working for renowned restaurants St John, Wild by tart, Andrew Edmunds and neighbourhood gem llywellns, to name but a few!Alongside her relentless schedule within the world of food, she now contributes to numerous top publications, all whilst running Countertalk, a platform that aims to support those within the hospitality industry,  creating positive change from within. Follow Ravneet HERE Follow Anna Barnett HERE

Giorgia Goggi arrived amongst the olive trees and arid terrain of southern Italy back in 2017. As Puglia was cementing its place as a destination of choice, so was Pugliese farmhouse Masseria Moroseta where our guest joined as Resident Chef for a modest 6 rooms. She would go on to build Moroseta’s reputation as THE culinary hotspot in the region with an aesthetic and menu well ahead of its time. Led by the seasons and with produce from her organic garden, today’s guest has continued to evolve, channeling her passion through a variety of ventures. Moroseta presents most recently as the complete lifestyle brand, with carefully curated products within ceramics, tableware, beauty, olive oils and cookery retreats. Moroseta Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from a Modern Puglian Farmhouse launched this August capturing her meticulous 360 approach to food and showcases the very dishes that make her so celebrated within the food scene.  For a constant stream of food inspiration and stunning photography follow Giorgia on instagram HEREAnd for more images of Masseria Moroseta and a video on how to recreate that incredible sandwich of sorts head to AnnaBarnettCooks

From fully fledged lawyer to restauranteur, chef and best selling author; Karan Gokani's growing empire continues to blossom at pace. Responsible for bringing Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine to the masses; he launched Hoppers back in 2015 to much acclaim.The much anticipated Hoppers the cookbook, a collection anecdotes, imagery and family style recipes topped many a ‘best cookbook list’.With an amassed following of just under 600k followers across instagram and views reaching the millions, today’s guest continues to share his passion for recipes with his legions of fans. In this episode I get to sample Karan's take on a Bombay cheese toastie, which was nothing short of epic!

In this week's episode I step into the world of Jeremy Lee, chef proprietor of the iconic Soho restaurant Quo Vadis. We cook up that renowned Smoked Eel sandwich in the kitchen of Quo Vadis before retiring to his enviable East London apartment (a treasure trove of cookery books and serveware).We talk about Jeremy's favourite restaurants, people that inspire him and what it was like to work alongside Sir Terrance Conran for almost two decades. His book, Cooking simply and well, for one or many is out now and I can assure you it's one worth having as part of your cookery book collection. Follow Jeremy Lee and Quo Vadis here.

I’m finally back with Series 3 of The Filling and we are kicking things off with a bang!On this episode I’m lucky enough to be joined by an American culinary heavyweight and self-confessed perfectionist Nancy Silverton. The woman responsible for bringing artisan bread first to Los Angeles and then to the rest of America. Described as ‘Goddess of Delicious’, whose brioche bought Julia Child to tears, and amongst those in the know she’s considered in the pantheon of all-time great chefs.We talk about Nancy’s ever expanding restaurant empire, a collaboration in the making with ‘Somebody Feed Phil’ Phil Rosenthal. Her favourite LA, London and NYC spots to dine at and people to follow (Brat, Mountain, Sally Clarke, April Bloomfield- Sailor and Jeremy King all get a mention). We discuss her great inspirations in the world of food, Alice Walters and Chez Panisse are celebrated as destinations everyone should visit during their lifetime.Nancy also whips up an incredible piadina using her famous Pizzeria Mozza pizza dough.Head to instagram AnnaBarnettCooks for the video and recipe! Nancy Silverton Instagram Nancy Silverton Three Ingredients podcast

EPISODE SYNOPSISThis is an EXCITING ONE! Fresh from a morning gym session and seated in her Spitalfields’ kitchen, 2Michelin starred chef Angela Hartnett MBE joins host Anna Barnett for this week’s episode of TheFilling podcast where Angela shares stories of growing up in the family fish and chip shop, workingwith Gordon Ramsay for 17 years and how it feels to be the only woman in a kitchen of male chefs.The answer to that may surprise you.EPISODE NOTES03:30 – 05:30) Angela admits to working throughout lockdown, and here she details the Cook 19initiative she developed to supply hospitals with meals during the pandemic.17:40 – 20:00) With a Welsh Italian mother, Irish father and growing up in Essex, Angela draws onher varied background for culinary inspiration.22:15 – 25:00) Working for Gordon at the world-famous Connaught Rooms did not come withoutits struggles; here Angela details how she overcame them.34:40 – 36:30) An enlightening discussion around being the only woman in an all-female team leadsto an unexpected confession. Listen here.38:30 – 40:00) Here Angela gives some invaluable advice for young chefs starting their careers.43:30 – 44:30) Angela and Anna discuss the regional differences of Italian food.TOP QUOTES“If you’ve got dried chili, garlic and tomatoes – you’ve got a meal.” Angela“When I first started working for Gordon, I thought; ‘Right, I’ve got to get serious.’.”“I know my limitations; I don’t wake up in the morning and think Michelin stars.” Angela“What’s always worked in my favour is being a woman.” Angela“I’m not afraid to say I don’t know, and I think that’s key in this business. How can anyone knoweverything about food?” Angela“The hospitality industry can look back at itself after this year and be proud.”RESOURCESwww.angelahartnett.comwww.muranolondon.comwww.limewoodhotel.co.ukwww.stjohnrestaurant.comwww.brawn.cowww.bratrestaurant.comABOUT THE GUESTSAngela Hartnett is one of the most high-profile female chefs in the world, having worked at many ofLondon’s top restaurants. During her childhood, Angela's Italian grandmother and mother instilled inher an appreciation and love of good food.Angela has since won numerous awards and has paid real homage to her Italian roots by openingMurano, a fine-dining restaurant in London with an Italian-influenced menu. In January 2007, Angelawas awarded an MBE for services to the industry. Her restaurants currently hold 2 Michelin stars.She lives in London with her husband.

EPISODE SYNOPSISMusical husband and wife duo, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones, sit down in their London homewith The Filling host Anna Barnett to chat about how they met and Sophie’s chat-up lines, theimportance of music in their lives and how to feed a family of 7 during lockdown. Here’s a clue: lotsof cereal and lots of milk. Also on the table are Sophie on Strictly, falling over on stage, and fallingpregnant 6 weeks into dating.EPISODE NOTES06:30 – 08:30) Ever wondered what breakfast time looks like for a house of 7 including 5boys? Listen here to get the full picture.21:00 – 23:00) Here Sophie and Richard talk about how they met and Sophie’s nowinfamous first chat-up line.25:10 – 28:45) Music played a big role in Sophie’s childhood, but can you guess her first gigat the age of 8? Prog rock anyone?34:40 – 38:00) Here Sophie talks candidly about her first band before going solo, and herbig break. Can Groovejet really be 21 years old?41:30 – 48:00) The Feeling were turned down by many record companies before landingtheir deal. Richard here discusses the origins of the band and how they craft their songs.01:12:30 – 01:15:00) Sophie was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 and here sherecounts her time on the show. Find out if she and Richard continue to waltz around the kitchen.TOP QUOTES“Chicken soup and garlic bread? That’s the worst combination ever.” Sophie requoting one of herchildren.“When we and the 5 kids are all eating the same thing at the same time – that’s success.” Richard“We have children who don’t like jacket potatoes; how annoying is that?” Sophie“We have personality types that are complimentary, not competitive.” Richard“He got worryingly into golf in his 20’s, so I bought him flying lessons.” SophieRESOURCESwww.sophieellisbextor.netwww.thefeeling.comwww.eataly.comABOUT THE GUESTSSophie Ellis-Bextor is an English singer, songwriter and model. She first came to prominence in thelate 1990s, as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded, Ellis-Bextor went solo, achieving success in the early 2000s. Richard Jones is a British music producer,songwriter, bass guitar player and founding member of the British rock band The Feeling. Career.Jones attended the BRIT School in Croydon. Richard and Sophie have 5 sons and live in London.Instagram: @sophieellisbextorInstagram: @ richardjonesface