The chefs

The chefs

Author: BBC World Service October 30, 2025 Duration: 26:29

You've got to be full of passion to make it as a top chef. It's a highly skilled and physically demanding job that comes with long hours.

Ruth Alexander talks to three celebrated and talented chefs from three different continents about the highs and lows of their careers. They tell Ruth why they love the job so much and whether chef culture has changed in the years they've been working in kitchens.

Featuring May Chow, Chantel Dartnall and Sean Kenworthy. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk Image: A chef in a white jacket sharpens a big knife in a professional kitchen. Credit: Getty images / Fertnig.


There’s a story behind every meal, and The Food Chain from the BBC World Service goes out to find it. This isn’t just a series about recipes or restaurant reviews; it’s a deep and often surprising exploration of how food shapes our world. Each episode follows a single thread, whether it’s the economic forces that decide what grows in a field, the hidden science in your kitchen, or the profound cultural traditions carried in a family dish. You’ll hear from farmers, chefs, economists, historians, and scientists, all contributing pieces to a larger picture about our global relationship with what we eat. The conversations reveal the complex journey from source to table, unpacking the labor, innovation, and sometimes the controversy, involved in feeding communities. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a well-reported global conversation, one that changes how you think about the next thing you’ll eat. It connects the personal act of eating to vast systems of business, culture, and science, making the everyday subject of food endlessly fascinating.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Food Chain
Podcast Episodes
Let food do the talking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
Does food have the power to send messages when words aren’t enough? This week Ruth Alexander finds out how food can sometimes speak much louder than words. Lecturer in Chinese Cultural Studies Dr Zhaokun Xi explains why…
Snackification: Our love affair with snacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
Ruth Alexander looks at the world of snacks. Have we always snacked or is it a more modern phenomenon that started with formal meal patterns? What snacks have been popular through the ages, what’s the industry doing now…
Stress, eat, repeat? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
When you’re feeling stressed, does it affect your appetite? In this programme Ruth Alexander is joined by two experts in chronic stress to discuss why it can cause us to crave certain foods, the impact on our bodies and…
A fresh start [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
There are bakeries, cafes, bars and restaurants around the world which don’t just exist to serve up food and drink – they're on a mission to rebuild lives. Ruth Alexander hears the stories of risk, reward and redemption…
Food cottage industries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
Cottage industries, usually referring to small scale home-based production, can be found all over the world. Often they provide a vital source of additional income for women, particularly in low income and rural areas. I…
What’s the future for Indigenous food? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
Indigenous food is experiencing a revival in Canada, with growing awareness of First Nations culture, and Indigenous run community farms and restaurants opening. While many are hopeful, there remains challenges to food s…
The packaging problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
As plastic waste continues to pile up, Ruth Alexander explores how manufacturers, retailers, and designers are rethinking the way our food is packaged.We hear how shoppers are responding to eco-conscious packaging in Fin…
How to run a local shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:03
Corner shop, mom and pop store or konbini, whatever you call them, most of us have a local business that sells convenience. Rising food costs mean many are struggling to make a profit, one solution is to improve the fres…
The power of the review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
What’s the purpose of restaurant reviews? The Food Chain looks at who is qualified to write a review, how helpful they are today and the impact they can have on a business. In this programme Ruth Alexander speaks to Gile…
Why is saffron so expensive? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
Saffron - the world's most expensive spice - is treasured for its rich aroma, vibrant colour, and unique flavour. But why does it command such a high price?In this episode of The Food Chain, Ruth Alexander uncovers the s…