Food Neighbourhoods #374: Florence

This week, we’re delving into modern French dining – away from the nation’s confines. We sit down with the founder of Bistro Freddie in London to find out why a wave of new French-inspired spots has been popping up throughout the city and beyond. Also in the programme: Charlotte McDonald-Gibson tells us about the role that haute cuisine plays in Washington and Gregory Scruggs is in Seattle to meet the man putting his own spin on Gallic classics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we head to Johannesburg in South Africa. Known for its work-hard-play-hard culture, it’s a city that brings together a vibrant mix of cultures. Elna Schütz heads to the leafy suburb of Rosebank to sample its innovative restaurants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we sit down with Japanese chef Endo Kazutoshi to discover why good sushi is all about mentality. Plus: we head to Camparino in Galleria in Milan just in time for ‘aperitivi’ and we meet Georg Oelschlägel, owner of Viennese bakery Felzl, to find out about his nose for entrepreneurship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we head to the southeastern tip of England to wander around the seaside town of Margate. In recent years, the town has become a bit of a magnet for creatives, which has lead to some exciting culinary additions to the local food scene. Holly Fisher went along to meet Natalia Ribbe, the owner of French-inspired wine bar Sète, to visit some of her favourite seaside haunts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Salone del Mobile rolls into town, Chiara Rimella tells us which ‘latterie’ we should visit in Milan. Also in the programme: Monica Lillis sits down with Lucie Herring of Caviar House & Prunier to find out how the brand is adapting its image to appeal to a fresh crowd. Plus: Lilian Fawcett speaks to HSBC Asean economist Aris Dacanay to learn more about the booming market for the famously smelly durian fruit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Mandy Sinclair heads to the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival in Ontario to find out how the condiment is made and meet the faces behind the sweet stuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re joined by food writer and cookbook author, Ed Smith, to flick through his new cookbook “Good Eggs: Over 100 Cracking Ways to Cook and Elevate Eggs”. Monocle’s Hester Underhill meets Evangelia Koutsovoulou whose brand, Daphnis and Chloe, is dedicated to bottling up the best Greek herbs to be shipped to keen cooks around the world. Plus: Petri Burtsoff is in Tallinn to learn more about chef Kim Mikkola’s new venture – chicken burgers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to the leafy suburbs of north London to visit Crouch End. The area might feel like somewhat of an underdog to the nearby bustling Finsbury Park but its abundance of quaint coffee shops and vibrant bistros, as well as its community feel, make it well worth a stopover. Local resident Rob Prendergast takes us on a tour of the neighbourhood’s best culinary spots.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we get a taste of Polish cuisine. We sit down with Ren Behan to discuss her new book, ‘The Sweet Polish Kitchen’. Also in the programme, Julia Lasica heads to the renowned Ognisko in London’s South Kensington to find out more about the historic restaurant. Plus: Mateusz Mazzini is in Warsaw to visit local wine bar Brać and learn about the emerging Polish wine industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, boasts a vibrant and rapidly evolving food scene. For many years, however, culinary talent has avoided the city’s medieval old town, which has been deemed too expensive and touristy. But now the trend is reversing and young chefs looking to make their mark have rediscovered the historical city centre. Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff met with restaurateur and sommelier Kristjan Peäske for a tour of his favourite drinking and dining spots in Tallinn’s Old Town.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.