Food Rebels

The Chef Who Lost Her Taste

In this moving episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp speaks with Julie Friend, a MasterChef winner and food writer, about her personal journey with cancer. for a deeply personal conversation.  Julie opens up about her experience with cancer: the shock of the diagnosis, the emotional rollercoaster, and the devastating impact it had on her sense of taste and joy around food. But this isn’t just a story about illness—it’s about survival, strength, and finding light in the darkest places.
It’s a conversation about grit, grace, and growth. About learning to be kind to yourself when your body feels like the enemy. And about holding onto hope—even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
If you’ve ever needed a reminder that resilience can be rebellious—and that healing is never linear—this episode is for you.

Sweet Heat

🔥 In this sizzling episode of Food Rebels, AJ Sharp meets Dan Shearman: eco-chef, food truck renegade, and the bold founder of the UK’s original hot honey brand, WilderBee.
What started as a spicy side hustle has become a million-pound business, blazing a trail through kitchens, burger joints, and cocktail bars across the UK. Dan shares the wild ride — from discovering hot honey in a New York pizzeria to infusing his own blend with fiery Scotch bonnets and bee-friendly British honey.
Expect stories of cooking for Hollywood legends, crashing (and burning) on Dragons’ Den, and building a brand rooted in sustainability, zero compromise, and fearless flavour. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s hotter than your average condiment.
From food truck to food revolution — this is hot honey with a mission. 🍯🌶️

The Joy Of Pasta

This week on Food Rebels, AJ Sharp is joined by Imogen Royall from Northern Pasta Co. – the pasta pioneers turning your average dinner into a delicious act of rebellion.
From living on a Croatian island to stamping 60,000 bags of pasta by hand, Imogen and her husband are showing us how food can be fun, sustainable, and full of heart. British grains, zero plastic, and pasta that actually hugs your sauce? YES, please!
Want to know what happens when passion meets pasta? Tune in now for a story that’ll make you rethink your next plate of pasta.

Food Is My Love Lanuage

This week on Food Rebels, AJ is joined by the brilliant Gok Wan for a heartfelt, honest, and often hilarious conversation about his lifelong love of food.
From growing up in his family’s restaurant to the joy he finds in cooking for others, Gok shares how food has shaped his life—touching on everything from passion and creativity to personal challenges.
He opens up about food as his everyday language, the emotional connection behind every dish, and even how his career as a DJ unexpectedly blends with his love of entertaining.
Expect laughter, insight, and a few unforgettable stories—including a deep dive into the infamous five-second rule (and what it has to do with Genghis Khan 👀).

Devilishly Delicious

This week on Food Rebels, AJ sits down with Richard Parson, MD of the legendary Fudge Kitchen 🍬
From old-school fudge-making to bold flavour innovation, Richard shares the secrets behind 43 years of sweet success — including their shift to employee ownership, commitment to ethical sourcing, and why staying rebellious is key to staying relevant.

From Boring To Bold

Join AJ Sharp, as she sits down with Ella Mckay, the brilliant mind behind Fatso 🍫Ella shares how she’s making dark chocolate fun, indulgent, and unapologetically bold, while staying committed to ethical sourcing, clean ingredients, and innovative flavours. Plus, she opens up about the juggle of entrepreneurship and motherhood.

Gut Matters Revisited

🌿 Last up in the Food Rebels Expert Series… we're revisiting Gut Matters! 🌿
 
Guest presenter Dhruv Baker joins AJ Sharp to dive into the world of gut health and how it can impact everything from our immunity to our mental health
 
From boosting immunity to supporting mental well-being, it’s clear your gut does so much more than just digest.
 
They’re joined by gut health expert Steven Van Middelem, the mastermind behind Fhirst, the first living soda designed to deliver healthy bacteria alive to your gut. 🥤
 
One change to your diet is a great start, but true gut health takes more than a quick fix. Tune in now for the full conversation! 🎙️

Drink To Thrive Revisited

It’s time to shine the spotlight back on our Drink to Thrive episode! 🔦
 
Host AJ Sharp and guest presenter Rebecca Woollard dive into the fascinating world of unique drinks. Discover the secrets to drinking more water and the surprising effects of fig leaves on kombucha. Plus, don't miss out on Kristal Baker's Great Taste award-winning range at Live Luxwells and Zak Tozer's groundbreaking, eco-friendly Kombucha. But the real thrill? Will they dare to taste the tomato leaf-infused kombucha? Tune in to find out! 🍅🥬