There are so many shows and podcasts telling you where and what to eat but we wanted the Food Group to be a place where people who liked storytelling could gather and stories of recipes and experiences. It’s also a place for those who love their history and often the moment a dish is created for the first time is forgotten with only the method remaining so the Food Group aims to put this right!
Who are the Food Group?
Producer/Creator/Host – James Winter
James is an award winning Television and radio producer with credits for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, FIVE and Sky. He’s been involved in the food world since the early days of Ready Steady Cook. Since that time he’s made BAFTA winning documentaries and most live event programmes but most recently he’s been the Executive Editor of the very popular BBC cookery show, Saturday Kitchen Live. His passion for food comes from his childhood and the many wonderful mealtimes with his parents and siblings. It’s a passion he has indulged in not only on screen but also in print with 2 books to his name – Yes Chef! And ‘Who Put the Beef In Wellington’. His work has put him face to face with some of the biggest names in the food world and he fully intends to rope their voices into the food group from time to time.
Olly Smith –Wine writer and broadcaster
Olly has been writing and broadcasting about wine for well over a decade. Having found his voice on UKTV’s iconic show, Good Food Live he rose to fame as part of Saturday Kitchen and now writes and talks on the subject on wide variety of platforms. His enthusiasm and knowledge is boundless and his bon homie typifies what the Food Group is all about – good company, good stories and great wine!
Daniel Galmiche aka The Frenchman
Born in Lure in the Comte region of Eastern France, Daniel was enthralled with cooking from an early age. His grandparents ran a truly organic farm and the food his family ate was prepared using their own produce, including game hunted by Daniel and his father. After leaving school he took up a three year apprenticeship with Chef Yves Lalloz in the spa town of Luxeuil-les-Bains. His career has since taken him all over the world including the UK, Sweden, Portugal, and Singapore. In London he worked at the highly acclaimed Le Gavroche under the tutelage of Michel Roux. In Scotland Daniel was awarded Master Chef of the Year, gaining a Michelin star whilst working at Knockinaam Lodge. He was also awarded a Michelin Star at Harvey’s in Bristol where he was Chef/Manager, and maintained the Michelin Star at L’Ortolan near Reading and again at the magnificent Cliveden House in Berkshire.
He is a member of the Academy of Culinary Art (Academie Culinaire), the Chaine des Rotisseurs and judges regularly for The Soil Association Organic Awards. Daniel has appeared regularly on many TV and radio programmes over the years and his warmth and good humour is key element to the make-up of the Food Group.
Jo Hurd aka The Young Italian
The son of a sailor, Joe is just as comfortable in a fish market as he is in a fancy restaurant. Spending his childhood stealing vegetables from his Grandpa’s allotments, rolling out sheets of pasta with his cousins and letting his Mum teach him to make Southern Italian delicacies.
Joe has appeared on various TV and radio shows including Saturday Kitchen, The Munch Box and Sunday Brunch. He was also a regular contributor to Aldo Zilli’s radio show. He brings passion, knowledge, youth and a thick Yorkshire accent to the Food Group.
Producer/Audio Wizard – Chris Maclean
Chris’s family come from the Isle of Lewis, and he was brought up with an appreciation of good fresh food, be that fresh fish, Lewis Black Pudding , lamb from their own croft or potatoes he and his father had planted.
Chris started his sound career in the BBC, working on live shows, mixing Peel Sessions, Radio 1 Concerts and also Orchestral and World music for Radio 2 and 3. He left the BBC to move to “Ad-land” mixing award winning commercials for 15 years,
He also mixed many TV programs including “The Thick of It” (BAFTA/RTS/British Comedy Awards), Inside No9 and The Detectorists (both BAFTA winners) to name but a few. He has run his own sound business since 2011 working on Radio, TV , Film Sound Design and podcasts. He directs recordings, edits and adds the occasional sound effect to the Food Group, (cue Thunder clap and Evil laugh)
The Food Group 