

HUNGRY.
Dan Pope
HUNGRY is the podcast for Challenger Food and Drink brands wanting to pour gasoline on their growth. Fancy being kind? Want to feel warm inside? Please hit the Subscribe button. You’d really, really make my week.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 18, 2025 • 3min
Espresso: How To Get Brand Traction - Seth Godin
Espresso is proudly powered by our sponsor, Unleashed!📦 1. Wait…what is Unleashed?Unleashed is inventory management software – but not the boring kind. It doesn’t just track stock...it connects seamlessly with your finance tools, eCom platforms, and CRM. That means one smooth system from sales to stock to cash. We use it daily at Islands, and honestly? Total game changer.🍴 2. Why foodie founders love itUnleashed helps you slash admin time and stay laser-focused on your margins. Know exactly where your costs are, what’s selling, and how your cash flow's looking (because yes, cash is still king).🚀 3. Trusted by the best in FMCGFrom Candy Kittens and Tiny Rebel to TRIP, Tarquin’s Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., and Volcano Coffee - some of your favourite challenger brands are scaling with Unleashed. If they’re using it, you know it’s the real deal. 📅 4. Fancy a chat?Book a quick call with the Unleashed team here 👉 https://calendly.com/unleashed-sales-team/discovery-call-with-unleashed-hungry🎁 5. Try it for lessGet 50% off your first 3 months if you choose to subscribe. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it 👉 https://www.unleashedsoftware.com/ ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here 🍲 🤝 Let's Connect!►Let’s link-up here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

17 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 2h 45min
Tech Billionaire Owner of UK’s Most Famous Italian Restaurant Thinks Differently About Business
David Cleevely, a technology entrepreneur and co-owner of a renowned Italian restaurant, shares his unique approach to hospitality through systems thinking. He highlights parallels between running a restaurant and a tech business, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, patience, and culture. Cleevely discusses scenario planning, the significance of understanding root causes, and the value of authentic relationships in business. He also touches on the role of diverse experiences and networks in fostering innovation and sustainable growth.

Dec 11, 2025 • 7min
Espresso - Sir John Hegarty's WILD Creative Process REVEALED
Espresso is proudly powered by our sponsor, Unleashed!📦 1. Wait…what is Unleashed?Unleashed is inventory management software – but not the boring kind. It doesn’t just track stock...it connects seamlessly with your finance tools, eCom platforms, and CRM. That means one smooth system from sales to stock to cash. We use it daily at Islands, and honestly? Total game changer.🍴 2. Why foodie founders love itUnleashed helps you slash admin time and stay laser-focused on your margins. Know exactly where your costs are, what’s selling, and how your cash flow's looking (because yes, cash is still king).🚀 3. Trusted by the best in FMCGFrom Candy Kittens and Tiny Rebel to TRIP, Tarquin’s Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., and Volcano Coffee - some of your favourite challenger brands are scaling with Unleashed. If they’re using it, you know it’s the real deal. 📅 4. Fancy a chat?Book a quick call with the Unleashed team here 👉 https://calendly.com/unleashed-sales-team/discovery-call-with-unleashed-hungry🎁 5. Try it for lessGet 50% off your first 3 months if you choose to subscribe. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it 👉 https://www.unleashedsoftware.com/ ♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here 🍲 🤝 Let's Connect!►Let’s link-up here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

Dec 8, 2025 • 48min
How To Get a Tesco Listing in 6 months - BOTIVO, DIRTEA, All The Aunties, big fish founders - Brand Building Masterclass
Imme Ermgassen, co-founder of Botivo, champions inclusive, pleasure-led non-alcoholic drinks. Perry Haydn Taylor shares secrets of niche focus versus mass-market expansion for brands. Andrew Salter dives into DIRTEA's strategy of educating consumers about mushrooms, transforming science into lifestyle branding. Riya Patel recounts how All The Aunties utilizes family stories and supper clubs to elevate South Asian ingredients. The group discusses the importance of packaging as advertising, community-building, and avoiding common pitfalls in brand development.

Dec 4, 2025 • 56min
Espresso: Life-Changing Marketing Lessons You've Never Heard Before - James Smith
James Smith, a fitness coach and entrepreneur known for his candid approach to marketing, shares valuable insights on staying authentic in business. He emphasizes how being genuine attracts the right audience, warns against the pitfalls of ego, and discusses the importance of gratitude amidst success. Smith compares UK and US entrepreneurial cultures and highlights the significance of embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. He also reveals how he channels anxiety into productivity and explains the power of polarizing content in growing a brand.

Nov 30, 2025 • 2h 31min
The Beautiful and Heartfelt Story of KOL Becoming the 17th Best Restaurant in the World | Chef Santiago Lastra
Santiago Lastra, founder of KOL and Fonda, is a culinary innovator blending Mexican philosophy with British ingredients. He shares his journey from a struggling teenager in Mexico to a renowned chef in London. Santiago discusses the artistry involved in running a restaurant, treating it like a performance. He dives into the intricacies of wine, cocktails, and how to foster creativity without pressure. With reflections on his emotional struggles and the importance of cross-training, he illustrates the balance of craftsmanship and play in achieving true originality.

Nov 27, 2025 • 7min
Espresso: Rory Sutherland's Favourite Dumb Questions to Unlock HUGE Growth
Join Rory Sutherland, a behavioral economist and advertising executive renowned for his insights on creativity and marketing, as he dives into the power of 'dumb questions' for unlocking growth. He discusses how organizations must look beyond mere metrics and focus on true goals. Rory highlights the importance of enjoyable experiences, contrasts conventional projects with Disney-style thinking, and offers innovative solutions for transport issues. His thoughts on psychological interventions as a cost-efficient alternative to engineering are particularly eye-opening.

9 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 42min
How ANY Restaurant Can Survive & Thrive in 2025? - Rosa's Thai, Black Bear Burger, Ole & Steen, Gordon's Wine Bar Operators
Join industry titans Stew Down of Black Bear Burger, Saiphin Moore from Rosa’s Thai Cafe, Graham Hollinshead of Ole & Steen, and Amanda Whiteside of Gordon’s Wine Bar as they share their insights on thriving in hospitality. Stew reveals his inventive adult Happy Meal to stand out without discounting. Graham discusses simplifying offerings while tackling supply waste. Saiphin highlights the struggle of sourcing from Thailand and training local chefs. Amanda tackles daily operational challenges with innovative pricing strategies, cementing the importance of staff culture and relationships.

6 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 7min
Espresso: Michel Roux Jr's London's Top 5 Hidden Gem Restaurants
Michel Roux Jr, a two-Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, shares his insights on London's hidden culinary gems. He highlights Clapham's Plusard, known for its unpretentious charm and delightful wine list. Michel reflects on his recent visits to standout Michelin-starred spots, discussing what the guide values most: great ingredients and consistency. He explores the tension between simplicity and complexity in fine dining, and the unique aura that a chef's soul brings to a restaurant experience.

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 55min
I Worked In 9 Michelin Star Restaurants (these are my life-changing leadership lessons) - Jun Tanaka
Jun Tanaka, a British-Japanese Michelin-starred chef and owner of The Ninth, shares his insights on restaurant culture and team leadership. He emphasizes that a favorite restaurant should resonate emotionally, prioritizing guest relationships over mere culinary excellence. Jun discusses memorable experiences from elite kitchens, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and fostering a unified team culture. He also reveals his philosophy of calm correction in the kitchen and his commitment to continuous learning, setting The Ninth apart in London's dining scene.


