mana: Michelin stars and why sacrifice doesn’t mean success

Simon Martin, the founder and head chef of mana, Manchester's first michelin star restaurant in four decades, is disrupting the restaunter landscape and pioneering a new way of eating out. 

A man of great discipline, Simon discusses with Alex and Joe the stresses of setting up a restaurant with minimal business knowledge, the exclusive and mysterious process of receiving a Michelin star (and why no chef ever admits they want one), and an ultimatum from his long-term long-distance girlfriend which led him to creating his new legacy in Manchester.

Simon is dedicated to carving out a unique identity and fighting against the expectations of the restaurant industry, something all business owners can learn from.  

Follow Simon, mana and the team behind The Founders. 

Chapter 1: The Founding Story (01:24)
Chapter 2: New directions and being anti resturant (24:17)
Chapter 3: Michelin start and defining moments (33:01)