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In November 2018, Stelios Theocharous, the founder of Ceres | Pure Food Innovation (and someone who occasionally finds his keys on the first try), launched the Ceres Podcast. This groundbreaking platform has now become a gathering spot for like-minded co-hosts:
• Mark Petrou, Petrou Bros
• Kelly Barnes, Krispies
• David Nicolaou, Auckley Friery
• David Miller, Millers Fish & Chips
Together, they embark on insightful conversations with the movers and shakers of the Food & Hospitality industry, forming the illustrious Podsquad.
At the Ceres Podcast, we take our time. There's no rushing here - unless we're late for dinner. We're on a mission to uncover the deep-seated passions that motivate our guests, ranging from Chefs and Fish & Chip Shop Owners to Food Producers and Hoteliers, including everyone who makes the hospitality world spin.
Our discussions are as varied as the ingredients in a gourmet dish, catering to anyone with a stake or interest in the bustling world of hospitality. If you're eager to learn from the experiences and stories that shape this industry, the Ceres Podcast awaits you. Dive into our world, where learning is served with a side of laughter.
• Mark Petrou, Petrou Bros
• Kelly Barnes, Krispies
• David Nicolaou, Auckley Friery
• David Miller, Millers Fish & Chips
Together, they embark on insightful conversations with the movers and shakers of the Food & Hospitality industry, forming the illustrious Podsquad.
At the Ceres Podcast, we take our time. There's no rushing here - unless we're late for dinner. We're on a mission to uncover the deep-seated passions that motivate our guests, ranging from Chefs and Fish & Chip Shop Owners to Food Producers and Hoteliers, including everyone who makes the hospitality world spin.
Our discussions are as varied as the ingredients in a gourmet dish, catering to anyone with a stake or interest in the bustling world of hospitality. If you're eager to learn from the experiences and stories that shape this industry, the Ceres Podcast awaits you. Dive into our world, where learning is served with a side of laughter.
226 Episodes
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The Podsquad is back! Stelios Theocharous, Kelly Barnes, David Nicolaou, and Mark Petrou serve up straight-talking insights on running a fish & chip shop in tough times. From customer loyalty to bold leadership and community spirit, Episode 226 blends hard truths with humour, leaving business owners with practical takeaways they can use right away. Join the Ceres WhatsApp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Ceres Deep Fryer Cleaner Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, returns to The Ceres Podcast to unpack the brutal reality facing hospitality today. From VAT pressures and unfair business rates to rising wages and shrinking margins, Kate and host Stelios Theocharous tackle the big issues with honesty and clarity. They discuss what happens behind closed doors with MPs, why operators must keep speaking up, and how social spaces like pubs and takeaways play a vital role in our communities—a must-listen for any food business owner looking to survive and grow in 2025. Join the Ceres WhatsApp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Heavy Duty Descaler Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
In this episode of The Ceres Podcast, host Stelios sits down with two seasoned fish-and-chip professionals—Charlie Collins of Frydales and Antony Akathiotis of Merchants—to tackle the big challenges facing our industry. Join the Ceres WhatsApp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Ceres Deep Fryer Cleaner Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
In this episode, Nigel Hodgson of Hodgsons Chippy in Lancaster tells Mark Petrou how he built one of the UK’s most respected fish and chip shops—without shortcuts or gimmicks. From humble beginnings and sleeping above the shop, to winning Young Fish Frier and Fish & Chip Shop of the Year, Nigel’s story is packed with practical advice on consistency, training, and doing things correctly. He also reflects on personal loss, industry changes, and why getting the basics right still matters most. Join the Ceres WhatsApp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Ceres Pre-Dust Number 2 Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Host Mark Petrou sits down with industry veteran Graham Reed-Stephenson to unpack five decades of wins, wipe-outs and reinventions in fish and chips—from premium positioning and portion strategy to real-world margin discipline you can apply this week. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Ceres Curry Sauce Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
John Lavery joins Stelios to share how he built Fish City Belfast through economic crises, shifting consumer trends, and bold business pivots. From the meat trade to MSC-certified seafood, this candid chat covers resilience, reinvention, and the future of fish and chips. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Heavy Duty Descaler Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Brothers Aman & Gav Dhesi tell host Stelios Theocharous how they transformed a derelict roadside loo near York into The Scrap Box. Hear the “product-demand-price” framework that guides every decision, why a £10 Facebook boost can create a lifetime customer, and how experimenting with saithe and hake protects profits when cod gets costly. A fast-paced, insight-packed listen for fish-and-chip operators and any entrepreneur hungry for growth ideas. Read Fish, Chips & Me: Reclaiming a Story of Britain by Aman Dhesi Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Mushy Pea Seasoning Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
In this episode of The News Review, Stelios Theocharous and David Nicolaou dive into the headlines shaping the food and hospitality world. They explore Ireland’s VAT cut for hospitality and whether it helps or harms independents, debate the ethics behind 524 UK companies underpaying staff, and ask what KFC’s £1.5 billion UK investment signals about the economy. Plus, they unpack Cranswick’s acquisition of Blakemans and share their unease over Deliveroo’s latest move—drone deliveries in Dublin. Smart, sharp, and full of opinion, this episode is for business owners, operators, and anyone navigating the fast-changing world of food service. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Mark Petrou sits down with David Hennighan of Hennighan’s in Machynlleth, Mid Wales—one of the most grounded and quietly inspiring voices in the fish and chip industry. With 43 years in the trade, David shares how a short-term plan to help his parents turned into a lifelong career across two shops, a hardware store, a garden centre, and even an ice cream parlour. They discuss everything from managing VAT and staying affordable for the community to judging national awards and cycling 250 miles for charity at age 60. David also reflects on running a family business with his daughters, adapting to COVID, and why he remains passionate about fish and chips after all these years. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Natural Batter Mix Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Geoff Whitehead is back—and this time, we’re talking growth, reinvestment, and building for the future. In this episode, Geoff opens up about taking bold risks, managing burnout, and why standing still in business is the fastest way to fall behind. Want to hear Geoff’s backstory? Catch his first appearance in Episode 140 of The Ceres Podcast. It’s the perfect prequel to this one. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Ceres Fishcake Mix & Ceres Rustic Breadcrumb Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers. 📧 To send your feedback or suggest a guest, email The Ceres Podcast at stelios@worldofceres.com
The Podsquad is back—minus Kelly Barnes (physio duties!)—to unpack a long list of hot topics in fish & chips and hospitality: The 7p fish & chip giveaway at Harry Ramsden’s: smart stunt or just chaos? What makes Chez Fred such a standout (and why it’s not about location) The never-ending VAT campaign—time for a reality check? Why fish & chips offer more value than a Big Mac or KFC bucket Are trade bodies missing the point in the media spotlight? Federation representation: who’s speaking for who? How great hospitality businesses still thrive The value of visiting other shops (and taking your kids along!) Plenty of laughs, some sharp critique, and loads of practical insights for anyone running a food business. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Ceres Heavy Duty Descaler Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Lorraine Arnold swapped the stage for the seafront and built one of Devon’s standout fish and chip businesses from scratch. In this episode, she joins Kelly Barnes to share the raw, unfiltered story of how she overcame financial ruin, a devastating fire, and lockdown chaos to create Pier Point Restaurant & Bar. It’s a must-listen for anyone in hospitality who’s ever wondered if grit, graft, and guts are enough. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Natural Batter Mix Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Good Friday highs and lows, bold ideas for National Fish & Chip Day 2025, staff training truths, and a frank look at the challenges facing fish and chip shops—from spud bruising to frozen-at-sea fish supply issues. No fluff—just real operators talking shop. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> P1 Chip Preparation Formula Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
In this episode of The Ceres Podcast, Mark Petrou sits down with Barry Dickman, founder of BD Signs, to explore the incredible journey from growing up above a chip shop to becoming one of the most influential figures in fish and chip branding. Barry shares candid stories of resilience, building a business from scratch (twice), and why he believes fish and chips is one of Britain’s strongest untapped brands. They dive into the future of the trade, the importance of portion control, and how independent shops can stand out without losing their community roots. Plus, hear how Barry helped hundreds of businesses survive through COVID with creative, practical solutions. Packed with real insights, honest reflections, and a few laughs along the way, this is essential listening for anyone in hospitality, food, or small business ownership. Listen now and discover why building a brand is about so much more than just a new sign. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> P1 Chip Preparation Formula Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
In this heartwarming and brutally honest episode, Mark Petrou is joined by Brent Watson of Y-Pas Chippy in Kexborough, Barnsley. Brent shares his journey from growing up around the coal pits and pigeon lofts of Yorkshire to running one of the most beloved independent chip shops in the region. Discover how a derelict hut became a local institution, how Brent’s father used his mining redundancy to build a chip shop from scratch, and why Y-Pas quietly thrives without apps, delivery services, or fancy equipment. Brent’s story is a masterclass in balance, craft, and doing things right—every single day. Whether you’re in hospitality, a business owner, or simply love a good fish and chip tale, this episode is full of inspiration, insight, and proper Yorkshire grit. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Natural Batter Mix & Pre-Dust Number 1 Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Graham Kennedy of Bells Fish & Chips joins Stelios to share his journey. They talk about resilience, community, economic pressures, and a personal loss that changed everything—packed with honesty, insight, and lessons for anyone in hospitality. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Natural Batter Mix & Pre-Dust Number 2 Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Stelios chats with Jo Hage and Lynda Simmons about 10 years of National Fish and Chip Day, NEODA’s behind-the-scenes work, industry challenges, and why this annual celebration is more than just a day—it’s a powerful platform for the trade. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Fishcake Mix Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
George Morey of Knights Fish Restaurant joins Kelly Barnes to share how he took his 116-year-old family business to award-winning success. From fish trays to fresh ideas, it’s a story of legacy, innovation, and love for fish and chips. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Natural Batter Mix Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
Stelios and David explore AI in fast food, Greggs’ sales slump, Domino’s digital edge, the plant-based backlash, and why data matters—a must-listen for hospitality pros navigating tech, trends, and tough choices. Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> P1 Chip Preparation Formula Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
In this episode, Kelly Barnes sits down with Sarah Heward, the inspiring founder of The Real Food Cafe—an award-winning roadside diner, chippy, and cafe on Scotland's scenic A82. Sarah shares how she transformed a derelict Little Chef into a thriving business serving travellers, locals, and adventurers alike. From running a year-round operation in the Highlands to championing local sourcing and building long-term careers, this story is about vision, grit, and exceptional hospitality. Read "Why the Industry Needs More Female Leaders" by Sarah Heward Join the Ceres Whatsapp Group -> https://bit.ly/CERESWA Download your FREE copy of the Fish & Tips E-Book and boost your business today. Join the discussion on the Ceres Podcast Facebook Group Episode Sponsor -> Natural Batter Mix + Pre-Dust Number 2 Check out the Ceres Calculators now! 📮Join the Ceres email list to keep updated and get monthly offers.
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