For many KERB is the OG of the street food world. The Petra Barran founded collective that started under the hoardings for the renovations of Kings Cross station is now over a decade old and properly grown up.

Simon Mitchell, CEO of the burgeoning business speaks to Peter Martin on a host of issues; from delivery (not a fan) to the price of food (too cheap) and how he balances Kerb’s founding principles as a social enterprise with a growing ‘ecosystem’ that now spans outdoor markets, indoor food halls, event catering, sporting venues, exhibition halls and even the National Theatre.

For all its ambition, the brand’s beating heart is still at one with the street food traders it represents. Identifying raw talent and giving them the tools, skills and resources to reach a wider audience remains the driving force of the business and the key to its continued success. 

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Simon Mitchel

Simon first got behind the decks at 16, igniting his passion for events and hospitality. Getting stuck into every element of the industry, including starting, and selling, event management company Impulse Events, he found his way to becoming the Sales Director of Concerto Group. From here Simon became involved in a consultancy project for KERB, which quickly turned into a full time role as Managing Director. Now CEO of KERB and its subsidiaries, including KERB Events and Seven Dials Market, Simon is reshaping how the hospitality industry interacts with, nurtures, and champions independent street food businesses, not to mention his pivotal role in permanently altering the industry’s approach to events catering.

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This series of podcasts is sponsored by Bird & Bird and Zonal [https://www.zonal.co.uk/]

The Peach podcast is always free to listen to. To find us search Peach 20/20 The Start-Up Hub on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or in any app that supports podcasts! All of our podcasts will be uploaded to our YouTube Channel

Now don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes!

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Links

Bird & Bird: https://www.twobirds.com/

Zonal: https://www.zonal.co.uk/

Peach 20/20 Youtube: https://bit.ly/Peach2020_Y

KERB: https://www.kerbfood.com/

Dan Warne CEO at Sessions Market knows a thing or two about restaurant tech. The former MD of Deliveroo is now creating an integrated, hybrid platform where new and exciting food brands can scale and grow by accessing both physical and digital routes to market. In fact, it’s a whole new blueprint for nurturing and growing brands.

The first Sessions Market food hall opened in Shelter Hall on Brighton’s seafront pre- pandemic to great reviews - but the customer-facing, physical incarnation of the “platform” is only the tip of the iceberg.

Peter Martin speaks to Dan about his radical vision: to create an ecosystem that combines food halls with ready access to a network of commercial kitchens nationwide and the data and digital tools to accelerate the growth of founder-led food brands across all channels – dine-in, delivery and take-away. 

At the start of this year, the business announced it had raised £7.3m towards its own expansion plans, including opening two more food halls in 2022 and 500 kitchens that will test, incubate, and scale the most exciting and popular new food concepts in the market and create the next generation of national restaurant brands.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dan Warne

Dan has considerable experience running large teams and significant P&Ls, having led Deliveroo from 12- person start-up to the fastest growing company in Europe. Importantly he has experience operating multi- operator kitchens through launching and running Deliveroo’s Editions Programme, ensuring restaurant vendors are well managed and quality and health and safety standards are adhered to. At scale, Dan oversaw relationships with more than 40,000 restaurants across the UK. His deep understanding and broad connections across the restaurant industry lend Sessions credibility in the category, while his experience overseeing complex operational, legal and personnel challenges will aid the scaling of the Sessions Projects. Dan has multiple data- points that have informed the formula for Deliveroo’s success, which will neatly map over to the success of Sessions. Dan’s tech background will ensure Sessions employs technology to optimise customer experience and efficiency.

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This series of podcasts is sponsored by Bird & Bird and Zonal [https://www.zonal.co.uk/]

The Peach podcast is always free to listen to. To find us search Peach 20/20 The Start-Up Hub on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or in any app that supports podcasts! All of our podcasts will be uploaded to our YouTube Channel

Now don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes!

----------

Links

Bird & Bird: https://www.twobirds.com/

Zonal: https://www.zonal.co.uk/

Peach 20/20 Youtube: https://bit.ly/Peach2020_YT

Creating one successful restaurant brand – literally from scratch - would be a feather in anyone’s entrepreneurial cap. Ajith Jayawickrema has done it twice.

Las Iguanas, where he cut his teeth as a young entrepreneur alongside business partner Eren Ali with a shared dream and a £10,000 bank loan, is still trading strongly under its current owners some 20 years on. His second brainchild – Turtle Bay – brings Caribbean food and drink culture to the mainstream. It has grown from a single site to 44 restaurants in under a decade.

Peter Martin talks to Ajith about that journey. From the first spark of inspiration (Leona Lewis – yes really) to the fully fledged concept blending experiential, immersive venues with great flavours, on-trend cocktails and reggae beats that transport rain-soaked Brits to the Caribbean “without the cost of a plane ticket”.  

But it’s not all been sunshine and parties. The back story is one of resilience, hard work, and property, funding and people challenges. But Ajith remains full of optimism. His dream is far from over as he steers the business to the next level – and it’s a dream he’s passionate to share.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Ajith Jayawickrema

A dedicated and highly successful entrepreneur and manager with a proven track record in highly focused business growth in competitive environments.

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This series of podcasts is sponsored by Bird & Bird and Zonal [https://www.zonal.co.uk/]

The Peach podcast is always free to listen to. To find us search Peach 20/20 The Start-Up Hub on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or in any app that supports podcasts! All of our podcasts will be uploaded to our YouTube Channel

Now don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes!

----------

Links

Bird & Bird: https://www.twobirds.com/

Zonal: https://www.zonal.co.uk/

Peach 20/20 Youtube: https://bit.ly/Peach2020_YT