Over The Counter Podcast

Gemini Chocolate was founded by Sam Chandler and started in a small kitchen at his home in Yorkshire where he experimented with different cacao beans and flavours. About 5 years down the line, he now sells (together with his brothers Ben and Will) at different market stalls around London and online. He tells us about how his music background influences his chocolate making, where he draws inspiration for new flavours from and how being at a market changes your relationship with your customers and fellow sellers. ​ Recorded via Zoom on the 23rd of August 2020

Panificio Collina is a small bakery run by husband and wife Vincenzo and Antonella in the town of Faenza, in the region of Emilia-Romagna in Italy. The bakery was opened by their grandfather in 1938 after he couldn’t couldn’t continue work as a farmer due to his rheumatism and has since then been a family business ever since. They tell us about how they try to keep all the processes and ingredients as local as possible, how their customers and surroundings shape their produce and Vincenzo’s passion for vintage bicycles (which he might turn into a museum in the future!). This episode is in Italian and a transcript + translation can be found on the website. Recorded via Zoom on the 4th of August 2020

The Corner is a small restaurant and cafe in the area of Kleine Berg and offers fresh meals everyday, which are inspired by an international cuisine. Yamani opened The Corner four years ago and has since brought much joy to his regular and new guests with his delicious dutch pancakes, traditional moroccan tagines and healthy salads. He tells us about his beginnings as a pastry chef, what makes an attractive dish and the differences between Morocco and the Netherlands. His close relationship with his regulars is a beautiful thing to witness and shows how important local shops can be for a community. ​ Recorded in the restaurant on the 8th of July 2020

King Food and Wine is a convenient and off-licence store on the edge of Islington and Hackney. During this difficult time, the owner Engin and his family have been an anchor for the neighbourhood and he tells us about how this pandemic has changed his approach to business, his close relationship with the locals and that small gestures really can make a difference. Our local reporter Misaki, who lives just around the corner from the shop and for who they were a life saver in the past few weeks, is curious to hear about their story. ​ Recorded in safe distance in the shop on the 15th of June 2020

Flower Sisters is a very young florist in the heart of Cologne. Opened only in February this year, Turkish-born Mahir and Fulya were hit hard with the reality of Covid-19.  ​ We spoke to Mahir about their struggles of surviving as a shop that only just opened and doesn't have a stable costumer base yet and what keeps them going. After his sisters was left by her business partner a few weeks ago, he stepped in to help her out and now they are working hard to show their neighbours what they have to offer. ​ Recorded remotely on the 21st of May 2020

Hawk & Dove is a curated vintage boutique, concentrating on heritage pieces and timeless classic looks. You will find mainly European vintage from Italy and France hanging on the rails alongside made in England items from the 1920s to date. ​ Jade opened her shop in 2018 and has since then gained a loyal customer base. She tells us about her beginnings on Ebay and at Agent Provocateur, her style influence, what Hastings means to her and how important it is to look out for other people. Recorded remotely on the 25th of April 2020