In this episode, James Golding speaks with chef lecturer and food-education advocate Ashley Marsh, a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, educator at the University of West London, and lead for the Chefs Adopt a School programme. His career spans professional kitchens, international events and extensive community outreach, all driven by a commitment to building young people's confidence and curiosity through food.

Ashley shares how his passion began with family influences especially his grandmother and uncle and how cooking helped him gain confidence as a teenager. Early career experiences in Australia taught him discipline and the value of strong mentors. After time in business and industry catering, he moved into education, combining practical expertise with a mission to support the next generation of chefs.

At the University of West London, Ashley focuses on practical skills, leadership, sustainability and seasonality. He and James discuss the importance of collaboration between hospitality and education to attract and retain new talent.

Ashley outlines the Chefs Adopt a School programme, which teaches taste and sensory exploration, knife skills and cooking to help children understand food origins, build confidence, and try new ingredients. With many families lacking time or confidence to cook at home, school engagement becomes crucial and the results are immediate: children grow more curious and willing to taste new foods.

The conversation highlights challenges young people face, from social media pressure to increasing anxiety around food. Ashley believes food education provides grounding, community and resilience. He shares memorable stories from working with young people and about his annual Christmas volunteering with Ronald McDonald House, where cooking for families reinforces the emotional impact of hospitality.

James and Ashley compare international food cultures, reflecting on Italian festivals where teenagers confidently prepare traditional dishes. These experiences reinforce Ashley's belief that the UK needs stronger food engagement across homes, schools and communities.

Ashley also uses pure maple syrup in teaching to discuss seasonality, provenance, natural sweetness and healthier alternatives to refined sugar showing how any ingredient can spark learning.

The episode closes with a call for deeper partnerships between chefs, schools and the hospitality sector, and a more positive narrative about careers in food. Ashley believes hospitality offers creativity, opportunity and global pathways and that early, inspiring food education helps young people grow in confidence and find their place in the industry.

Follow https://www.instagram.com/alice.fevronia/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.

South African born chef Jean Delport, the creative mind behind Michelin starred Restaurant Interlude at Leonardslee Gardens in West Sussex, joins us to share his journey from Cape Town to the UK. In 2019, Jean became only the second South African chef to earn a Michelin star, celebrated for blending French and British cuisine with his South African heritage and nature inspired philosophy.

Jean recalls how his love of food began at home after his mother's accident, and how time spent on farms and in the bush with his father shaped his farm to table approach. He reflects on the challenges of leaving South Africa, his career progression in England, and his experience competing on Great British Menu.

At home, Jean keeps cooking simple with roast chicken, pasta and pies, while championing natural ingredients and sustainability. He shares his appreciation for pure Canadian maple syrup, from flapjacks and crumpets to exploring its similarities with birch tapping at Interlude's garden estate.

Jean also opens up about the emotional moment of winning a Michelin star, calling it a dream come true. Looking ahead, he hopes to achieve two stars, continue creating memorable dining experiences, and expand his work with the Prept Foundation, inspiring young people to cook and eat well.

Follow Jean https://www.instagram.com/delportjean/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.

To discover more about Jean's culinary journey and to learn more about Restaurant Interlude, visit Jean's website.

Former Great British Bake-Off finalist, baker, and content creator Alice Fevronia joins us to share her journey from geography teacher to full-time creative, a career she describes as a "happy accident." Known for her beautifully decorative bakes and inventive flavour pairings, Alice reflects on how her love for baking began with her grandmother, grew through baking birthday cakes at university, and flourished on national television.

Alice recalls her career highlights, including dancing around the tent eating cake behind the scenes on Bake Off and the surreal experience of teaching Prince William and Princess Kate how to pipe buttercream as part of a project creating showstopping cakes for the NHS's 75th anniversary celebration.

Diagnosed with scoliosis at 15, Alice opens up about how baking became a therapeutic outlet during her recovery, helping her channel creativity and resilience into every whisk and fold. Her inspirations range from master chocolatier Amaury Guichon to small independent bakers from her hometown.

Alice also shares stories from her trip to Montreal, Canada, as part of her Maple Ambassadorship, discovering maple butter and experimenting with pure Canadian maple syrup as a natural sweetener that pairs beautifully with warm spices, especially comforting in the colder months.

Beyond baking, Alice discusses branching into cooking content, exploring world flavours, and how her background as a geography teacher continues to shape her curiosity about the origins of food. A return to her art school roots during lockdown led her to merge her love of art and baking, resulting in her growing illustration business on Etsy.

Looking ahead, Alice is excited to continue experimenting both in the kitchen and through creative illustration projects, so definitely watch this space!

Follow https://www.instagram.com/alice.fevronia/ and Maple from Canada UK www.instagram.com/maplecanadauk/ for more seasonal recipe inspiration.

To check out Alice's Adventures in Cake, visit her Substack or visit her website.