Season 10 - Episode 5 - Thai Street Food in Dubai !
What does it take to turn a humble home kitchen into one of Dubai’s most talked-about Thai food spots?
In this episode of the Chef JKP Podcast, recorded live at Time Out Market Dubai, host James Knight-Pacheco sits down with Lisa Knight and Chef New, the dynamic duo behind Café Isan – an award-winning Thai street food concept known for its bold flavors, authenticity, and community spirit.
From cooking for friends in Dubai’s Thai community to building a regional fanbase and earning a coveted spot at Time Out Market, Lisa and Chef New share the story behind their rise, rooted in Isan traditions from northeastern Thailand.
Expect honest conversations about spice, sustainability, and staying true to your roots while scaling a modern hospitality brand.
🔥 Topics covered:
- Adapting Isan flavors for a diverse Dubai audience
- Balancing spice levels and customer expectations
- Embracing low-waste practices and fermentation
- Plans for a farm-stay retreat in Thailand
- And yes… chili-eating competitions.
00:00 Introduction
01:56 Meet the Guests: Lisa Knight and Chef New
02:17 The Journey to Time Out Market Dubai
04:19 Opening Day Challenges and Successes
04:50 Adapting Isan Cuisine for Dubai
07:41 Spice Levels and Customer Feedback
14:53 Chili Competitions
16:59 Designing the Menu
19:35 Challenges in the Hospitality Industry
20:40 Zero Waste Practices in the Kitchen
23:07 Future Plans and Expansion
23:55 Quick Fire Questions
25:43 Signature Dishes at Café Isan
27:50 Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs
Follow Café Isan:
Instagram: @cafeisan_thai
This season of the Chef JKP Podcast is proudly brought to you by Time Out Market Dubai.
🎙️ You support the show by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
Food is Memories ! 😉🌶️🎂🌮🌯🍣
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Season 10 - Episode 4 - Pitfire Pizza -and The Secret Sauce !
What does it take to build a pizza empire in one of the world’s most competitive food cities?
In this live edition of the Chef JKP Podcast, host James Knight-Paccheco sits down with Michele and Bill Johnson - the powerhouse duo behind Pitfire Pizza - for a no-filter conversation about passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of the perfect slice.
🎙️ Live from Time Out Market Dubai, they share the story behind one of Dubai’s most beloved pizza joints - from humble beginnings and family baking memories to scaling a brand known for quality, consistency, and fire.
You’ll hear:
🍕 How Bill perfected his dough recipe over years
🍕 The secrets to managing quality across multiple branches
🍕 What makes a truly great pizza (it’s not just ingredients)
🍕 Tips for anyone dreaming of launching their own food brand
00:00 Introduction
01:13 The Joy of Pizza: Pitfire's Mission
02:14 Meet the Legends: Michele and Bill Johnson
03:43 Bill's Pizza Journey
08:20 Opening Pitfire Pizza
11:01 From JLT to Time Out Market
14:17 Maintaining Quality Across Branches
16:52 Centralizing Dough Production: Pros and Cons
17:29 Training, Technique & Team Culture
18:24 Branding, Artistry & the Brotherhood of Pizza
19:10 Managing a Large Team in Dubai
22:05 Pizza Ovens and Baking Techniques
23:28 Signature Pizzas at Pitfire
24:56 Quick Fire Questions
28:01 Future Plans and Advice for Restaurateurs
Follow Pitfire Pizza on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitfirepizzabakers
This season of the Chef JKP Podcast is proudly brought to you by Time Out Market Dubai.
🎙️ You support the show by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
Food is memories. Enjoy the episode! 🍴
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this live edition of the Chef JKP Podcast, host James Knight-Paccheco dives deep into the world of luxury flavours with two of Dubai’s most exciting artisan creators: Orit Mohamed from Boon Coffee and Zubin Doshi from Scoopi – home of the iconic Black Diamond, a $3,000 liquid nitrogen ice cream.
From the aroma of Ethiopian highlands to scoops topped with saffron and truffle, this isn’t just about taste – it’s about passion, precision, and pushing boundaries. Expect bold business advice, origin stories, and practical insights for food entrepreneurs navigating Dubai’s competitive culinary scene.
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Today’s Topic: The Black Diamond
01:48 Meet Orit (Boon Coffee) & Zubin (Scoopi)
03:26 Orit’s Coffee Journey from Ethiopia to Dubai
04:25 Zubin's Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Adventure
13:39 Crafting The Black Diamond Ice Cream
16:07 Business Challenges & Key Lessons
24:03 Quick Fire Round
26:17 Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
29:15 Farewell & Wrap-Up
Follow Boon Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/booncoffee
Follow Scoopi: https://www.instagram.com/scoopicafe
This season of the Chef JKP Podcast is proudly brought to you by Time Out Market Dubai.
🎧 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChefJKP
🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Food is memories.
Enjoy the episode! 🍴
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Season 10 - Episode 2 - From Gaggan to Dubai: Chef Prashant’s Culinary Evolution
What do the kitchens of Gaggan, Switzerland’s Michelin-starred fine dining scene, and Dubai’s vibrant Masti have in common? One man behind the pass: Chef Prashant.
In this episode of the Chef JKP Podcast, recorded live at Time Out Market Dubai, James Knight-Paccheco sits down with Chef Prashant, whose journey spans some of the world’s most influential kitchens.
They get real about:
- What it takes to cook at a Michelin-starred level
- Creating menus that evolve without losing soul
- The pressure of running a top kitchen in Dubai
- Why mastering the basics still matters more than ever
Whether you’re an aspiring chef or a full-blown food nerd, this one’s packed with insights, inspiration, and bold perspectives.
This is Season 10.
This is Chef JKP x Time Out Market Dubai!
00:00 Introduction
01:46 Today’s Guest: Chef Prashant
03:50 Culinary Journey & Early Influences
04:21 Life at Gaggan
06:48 Switzerland & Michelin Kitchens
10:04 Building the Menu at Masti
15:09 The Craft of Training & Consistency
22:08 Quick Fire Round
25:57 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Follow Chef Prashant:
https://www.instagram.com/prashantchipkar/
This season of the Chef JKP Podcast is proudly brought to you by Time Out Market Dubai.
Want to support the show? Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ChefJKP
Food is memories! 🍴
Enjoy the episode.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Season 10 - Episode 1 - The Chef JKP Podcast x Time Out Market: Dubai’s Food Scene, Unfiltered
For the first time ever, the Chef JKP Podcast goes LIVE - and we’re bringing the fire straight from Time Out Market Dubai.
In this epic new season you can expect:
🔥 12 episodes
🎤 1 epic live audience
🌍 100% Dubai food culture
Host James Knight-Pacheco kicks off season 10 with a no-holds-barred conversation featuring three of Dubai’s culinary heavyweights: Spero and Alex from BB Social Dining and Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis, also known as Chef Tommy, from À La Grecque.
This isn’t your average food chat. It’s raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart of Dubai’s food culture. From their earliest food memories to the daily grind of running food stalls, these chefs drop truth bombs about creativity, pressure, and what it really takes to make it in one of the world’s most competitive dining scenes.
This is Season 10. This is Chef JKP Podcast x Time Out Market.
00:00 Introduction
01:46 Today's Special Guests and Live Audience
04:32 Spero and Alex from BB Social
07:04 Chef Tommy from À La Grecque
09:00 Challenges and Experiences at Time Out Market
24:26 Quick Fire Questions
26:41 Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs
31:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Follow BB Social Dining: https://www.instagram.com/bbdifc/?hl=en
and À La Grecque: https://www.instagram.com/alagrecque.dxb/
This season of the Chef JKP Podcast is proudly brought to you by Time Out Market Dubai.
Want to support the show? Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChefJKP
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
James Knight-Paccheco celebrates the inspirational stories of people within hospitality, their ups, their downs and everything in between. What does it take to keep up in one of the most competitive, mentally and physically stressful industries in the world? Giving incredible insights and advice to the listeners. For more information go to http://www.chefjkp.com
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