10 podcasts every restaurant owner should listen to

We all know how important it is to keep up with trends and developments for the industries we work in — especially when you’re a manager or business owner.

But when it’s the restaurant industry, that’s sometimes easier said than done.

With long hours, early starts and late finishes, it can be hard to find the time — let alone energy — to sit down and read about what’s new in the restaurant or food biz.

That’s where podcasts come in.

We’ve scoured the world’s top podcast platforms to find the most interesting, informative, and entertaining podcasts for foodies and restaurateurs alike — podcasts that will help you stay up to date, gain new insights, and be inspired while you drive to work, take the dog for a walk, or perhaps just take a much-needed soak in the bath.

Let’s get listening!

1. Secret Sauce

What it’s about

Restaurant marketing veteran James Eling presents actionable advice for using technology to market and build your restaurant business. Expect topics including search engine optimisation (SEO), social media, coupons and even effective menu design — all wrapped up in roughly half an hour.

Why we love it

Secret Sauce is of course very tech focused, but don’t let that put you off if you’re still new to the worlds of social media and online marketing; as well as being incredibly knowledgeable, James Eling is also a great teacher, explaining terms and practices in a relatable and easy-to-understand way.

He’s also incredibly on the ball, discussing new and emerging restaurant tech trends — as well as the challenges currently facing the industry — long before many of his peers. For restaurateurs who want to stay one step ahead of the competition, Secret Sauce is not to be missed.

Don’t miss: Optimising your Google My Business account for Fun and Profit
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

2. Grilling with Simon Rimmer

What it’s about

Prolific restaurateur and co-host of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer sits down with a host of world-famous chefs to talk about their roots, the trials and triumphs they experienced on their restaurateur journey, and of course the incredible food they’ve enjoyed along the way.

Why we love it

Featuring big-name guest chefs including Rick Stein, Rachel Khoo, and Ken Hom, Grilling is always an enjoyable and interesting listening experience. In addition to being entertained, listeners can expect to pick up a few cooking tips along the way, plus learn how to upsell like a pro as Simon’s guests are challenged to pitch dishes in a fun and enticing way.

Don’t miss: Michel Roux Jr
Listen on: Acast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

3. The Pirate Ship with Tom Kerridge & Chris Stark

What it’s about

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge joins forces with BBC’s Chris Stark to present a podcast dedicated to the “often weird and wonderful world of food”. In it, Tom, Chris, and their guests (a blend of top chefs and celebs) enjoy a “fuss-free” chat about food and running restaurant businesses.

Why we love it

As well as being a genuinely funny listen in its own right, The Pirate Ship gives us some great glimpses inside the lives of world-class chefs and the unusual things that their job requires them to think about.

Besides, where else would you find lively debate about “cork sniffing”, having beef with Salt Bae, and a condition known only as “chef’s arse”?

Don’t miss: Tom Grennan’s elbow phobia, FronlyFans, and Chef’s Arse
Listen on: Acast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

4. Restaurant Unstoppable

What it’s about

Hopping across the pond for our next top pod, “aspiring hospitality professional” Eric Cacciatore’s Restaurant Unstoppable features interviews with professional chefs, restaurant owners, and industry leaders who share their insider tips and stories of success.

Why we love it

Restaurant Unstoppable covers an enormous breadth of topics relating to the restaurant industry, from the practicalities of getting started, right the way through to marketing your business and getting noticed online. With almost 900 episodes to date, there really is something here for everyone.

Conversations are also refreshingly frank and open, with many of Cacciatore’s guests speaking quite candidly about the mistakes they’ve made along the way.

Don’t miss: Krimsey Lilleth – Why I Closed My Restaurant
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

5. Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner

What it’s about

Built on a premise of “crackling anecdotes and blistering chat, lubricated by killer cooking,” Out to Lunch sees journalist and food critic Jay Ranyer interviewing a plethora of film and TV stars over lunch — at a restaurant of his choosing.

Why we love it

The podcast’s target audience is admittedly a bit broader than some of our other recommendations today, but due to the nature of its recording locations (each episode takes place in a different restaurant), listeners will be hard pushed not to come away with a long list of dining recommendations — and dishes — to try for themselves.

Then of course there are the guests. With heavyweights such as Rob Bryden, Stephen Fry, and Rose Matafeo among others, food lovers can always expect some quality, entertaining company with every episode — perfect for unwinding after a long shift.

Don’t miss: Out To Lunch with Jay Rayner: Rev Richard Coles
Listen on: Acast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

6. Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

What it’s about

Back across to the States, Restaurant Rockstars was created and hosted by restaurant entrepreneur Roger Beaudoin. Providing real-time tips from industry veterans, this podcast is intended for industry professionals rather than the casual foodie.

Why we love it

Some issues discussed are a little bit US-centric, but Beaudoin has to be commended for the quality, not to mention sheer volume, of business insights Restaurant Rockstars provides its listeners.

Expect to hear detailed conversations on topics such as: buying a restaurant, financial best practices, ghost kitchens, staffing and labour costs, reducing food waste, and much, much more — Restaurant Rockstars is sure to both inform and inspire.

Don’t miss: How to turn first-time guests into regulars
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

7. Grilled by The Staff Canteen

What it’s about

Not to be confused with Simon Rimmer’s similarly named podcast, Grilled comes from the people behind the industry news, networking, and recruitment website The Staff Canteen. Expect hot takes, personal opinion, and scintillating debate from some of the UK’s top chefs.

Why we love it

An informative, no-nonsense podcast from top British chefs, Grilled certainly doesn’t pull its punches. Topics range from how to nurture young chef talent, to the rise of restaurant meal kits, to the importance of breaking the silence on abuse in kitchens — all discussed in full and frank detail.

Co-hosted by such industry veterans The Man Behind the Curtain’s Michael O'Hare, Opheem’s Aktar Islam, and Darjeeling Express’s Asma Khan, Grilled gets us closer to the industry’s top talent than arguably any other podcast. One not to miss.

Don’t miss: S3 Ep26 - Alex Claridge and Asma Khan
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

8. The Resilient Restaurant

What it’s about

Heading back to the US again for our eight entry, industry software provider Marketman’s The Resilient Restaurant podcast focuses on the unique, often inspiring, stories of restaurateurs who not only survived but in some cases thrived through the Covid-19 pandemic — and who continue to lead the way today.

Why we love it

The Resilient Restaurant is absolutely packed full of actionable tips for growing your business in even the harshest of climates. From forging partnerships to utilising restaurant technology to developing a digital strategy to get your business noticed, there’s plenty here for business owners to get their teeth into.

Each episode features insights from guest chefs, marketers, and authors, and with episodes a little on the shorter side (most are around 20 minutes long) they’re easily consumable on a drive or walk in or out of work.  

Don’t miss: The Hybrid Ghost Kitchen Model: how to Navigate a Permanently Changed Landscape
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

9. Gastropod

What it’s about

Fancy a break from the worlds of marketing and running your restaurant business? Enter Gastropod —  an intriguing exploration into the world of food through the lens of science and history, hosted by US-based journalists Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber.

Why we love it

Do you know how many fortune cookies are made every year? How about who was responsible for bringing tofu to the western world? Listen to Gastropod and you will.

Each episode looks at the hidden history and science of our favourite foods, ingredients, food cultures, and more. Gastropod is for people who want to know everything there is to know about food, and you’ll feel more connected to the ingredients your business uses after every episode — and raring to go for the next pub quiz.

Don’t miss: Who Invented Mac and Cheese?
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

10. Off Menu

What it’s about

Comedians and lifelong foodies James Acaster and Ed Gamble invite a host of celebrity guests to their ‘dream restaurant’, asking them to describe their favourite starter, side dish, main course, dessert, and drink — and explain why.

Why we love it

Sure, it’s built more to titillate than educate, but Off Menu is pure foodie joy. You’ll laugh your socks off, but you’ll also learn about some great new dishes from all over the world, and pick up some great tips for places to eat.

You can also find a list of every single restaurant recommended by their 140+ guests on the Off Menu website, giving you a list of dream destinations to check off.

Don’t miss: Episode 13: Phil Wang
Listen on: Acast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Is there another great podcast that you think belongs on our list? Drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter.