Conor Gadd has just opened Burro in Covent Garden, and this episode captures him right at the start of that journey—equal parts excitement, pressure and controlled chaos. Only weeks into service, he reflects on what it feels like to step out from behind the scenes and suddenly be the person everyone wants a piece of. It’s a rare, honest snapshot of a chef adjusting not just to a new restaurant, but to a completely new role within it.The conversation leans into the reality of opening: the moments that don’t make the press release. Conor recounts a second night so disastrous he genuinely considered shutting the whole thing down, complete with broken lifts, missing tickets and a dining room running blind. He describes the process like sailing across the Atlantic—periods of calm, sudden storms, and the constant temptation to fix everything at once, even when you know that’s the one thing you shouldn’t do.From there, it opens up into a series of unforgettable stories from his career. There’s the Trullo service interrupted by a full Home Office raid, the entire KP team legging it barefoot into the night, and the surreal calm of carrying on service as if nothing had happened. Elsewhere, he reflects on early kitchen days filled with relentless banter, flying onions and hard-earned respect, and the formative experiences that shaped both his cooking and his outlook on the industry.What emerges is a portrait of a chef grounded in instinct, humour and long-term thinking. Conor speaks candidly about what actually sustains a restaurant over decades, why consistency matters more than trends, and how much of the job is simply about people—staff, guests, and the culture you build around them. It’s funny, chaotic, occasionally brutal and full of perspective: a conversation driven by stories, not soundbites, with one of the most compelling voices in hospitality.Pre Order Ben's Incredible Book - All You Can Eat - By Clicking Here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-You-Can-Eat-British/dp/1805221523Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/Order The Greatest Meat In The Country From HG Walter Here & Have Restaurant Quality Meals From Home - www.hgwalter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.