Guest: Cherish Finden – Award Winning Pastry Chef, TV Judge & National Chef of the Year Judge

Host: Phil Street

Recorded in the crypt at Fortnum & Mason during the launch of National Chef of the Year, Phil is joined by the incredible Cherish Finden, one of the most respected pastry chefs in the industry and now part of this year’s judging panel.

From her early days training at the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore to building a career in London over the past 25 years, Cherish shares her philosophy on pastry, precision, and what truly matters when it comes to creating world class desserts.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Cherish’s journey from Singapore to the UK and her formative years at Raffles Hotel.
2. The influence of world class chefs and why technique matters more than certificates.
3. How London’s food scene has evolved over the past two decades.
4. Why classic dishes still matter, and how to elevate them without losing their soul.
5. The importance of simplicity and precision in pastry.
6. What she’s looking for as a judge in this year’s National Chef of the Year competition.
7. Why practice, repetition, and discipline are the keys to success.
8. How mistakes can sometimes lead to your best ideas.

Listen now for:

1. Why “action speaks louder than words” in the kitchen.
2. The secret to a perfect chocolate tart
3. Why every ingredient on the plate must have a purpose.
4. How to manage pressure and time in a competition environment.

Memorable Quotes:

1. “It’s not what you put on the plate, it’s how it tastes”
2. “Keep it simple, keep it real”
3. “Every ingredient must have a purpose”
4. “Practice, practice, and still practice”

This episode is for:

1. Chefs who want to improve their pastry game
2. Competition entrants looking to sharpen their approach
3. Hospitality professionals who value precision and consistency
4. Anyone who believes simple done well beats complicated done badly

Links & Resources:

1. Phil Street (Host): LinkedIn & Instagram @hospitalitymeets
2. Cherish Finden – Instagram @cherish_finden
3. National & Young National Chef of the Year
4. Craft Guild of Chefs

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