Talking food with Bidfood

Hosted by Bidfood

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Welcome to the Talking food with Bidfood podcast series! Are you working in foodservice and looking for creative menu solutions or ideas on how to capture all of your customer needs? Well, this is the podcast for you! In our episodes, we discuss the latest hot topics with key voices from Bidfood, our customers, industry experts and our insight partners. We do this with the aim of connecting all aspects of the industry with insightful and interesting conversation.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 8, 202620 min

What does Better Business really mean?

In this episode of Talking Food with Bidfood, Julie Owst, Head of Sustainability, explores why the Better Business Act is becoming an increasingly important movement for businesses looking to create meaningful change for people and planet. Joined by Sophia Greacen, Campaign Manager at B Lab UK, and Ashleigh Horn, Head of Sustainable Food at COOK, the discussion unpacks why businesses across the UK are backing the campaign for a change in UK company law, and what it could mean for the future of responsible business. Together, they explore the motivations behind supporting the Better Business Act, why organisations like Bidfood... Chapters (00:00:00) - Better Business(00:00:52) - BBA and the Better Business Act(00:02:33) - Better Business: Shareholder Primacy(00:05:37) - Have the Better Business Campaign Evolved?(00:07:45) - BBA Co-operation: Membership and the B Corp(00:09:49) - Cook's Better Business Act(00:12:53) - Tim Cook and Sofia Gaynor on the 'Burden on(00:13:47) - Better Business ACT(00:16:11) - Better Business Act(00:18:23) - The Campaign for Better Business

June 4, 202613 min

Unlock Your Menu: support that flexes with your business

In this episode of Talking Food with Bidfood, Claudia Bryant, New Business Marketing Manager, and Georgia Leakey, Customer Marketing Executive, explore how Bidfood’s Unlock Your Menu platform is helping hospitality operators navigate some of the industry’s biggest challenges. With rising costs, staffing pressures, evolving customer expectations and increasingly complex operational demands, menus have become more than just a list of dishes; they are essential commercial tools. Claudia and Georgia discuss how Unlock Your Menu provides operators with practical strategies and support designed to help businesses adapt, grow and thrive. Together, they explore how the platform helps operators respond to industry... Chapters (00:00:00) - Menu Decisions(00:01:48) - Unlock Your Menu(00:03:40) - Bidfood's Unlock Your Menu: What is it?(00:05:37) - Unlock Your Menu(00:08:13) - Caterers: Training and Skill gaps(00:09:52) - Unlock Your Menu

May 8, 202618 min

From farmers to feminism: why Fairtrade matters

In this episode of Talking Food with Bidfood, Julie Owst, Head of Sustainability & Change, is joined by Louise Davies, CEO of Scottish Fair Trade, and Kiera Wilkins, Ethical Business Manager, to unpack the true meaning behind the Fairtrade mark and why it matters more than ever. From global trade inequalities to climate pressures and social impact, this episode explores the realities facing producers and the role Fairtrade plays in creating a more balanced and sustainable food system. In this episode, we explore topics such as: Whether you’re reviewing your sourcing strategy, looking to make more ethical purchasing decisions, or... Chapters (00:00:03) - Talking Food With Bidfood(00:00:40) - Scottish Fair Trade(00:01:44) - The Fair Trade conversation(00:03:02) - What is Fair Trade?(00:04:58) - Will Fairtrade Make a Difference for You?(00:06:48) - What does fair trade mean for the environment?(00:10:33) - The Fair Trade Mark(00:12:06) - Fairtrade: Explained(00:16:02) - Fool's Food(00:16:40) - Fooled by Scotland(00:17:31) - Talking Food With Bidfood

February 19, 202621 min

Food and drink trends for 2026: What's next in food?

In this episode of Talking Food with Bidfood, Rhia Harry, Research and Insights Manager, is joined by Catherine Hinchcliff, Head of Corporate Marketing and Nutritionist Manager, Heather Dolan, to unpack the latest food and drink trends shaping the food industry right now. From shifting consumer behaviours to emerging flavour influences and evolving menu expectations, this episode explores what’s driving change, and what it means for operators, chefs, buyers and food development teams. In this episode, we explore topics such as: Whether you’re refreshing a seasonal menu, planning ahead for the year, or looking for commercially viable innovation, this episode provides... Chapters (00:00:00) - Talking Food(00:00:34) - Bidfood's 2026 Food and Drink Trends(00:01:38) - Eating Out: The Future of Food and Drink(00:05:08) - Food and Drink Trends for 2026(00:07:07) - Tea Tonic(00:08:57) - Whole Lot Of Goodness(00:11:30) - Sweet Adventures: The dessert and sweet treat trend in 2021(00:15:01) - South American, Korean and Malaysian cuisine(00:18:15) - Venezuela vs Colombian(00:19:42) - Food trends for 2026

December 12, 202538 min

Talking about the 2025 autumn budget and what it means for hospitality

In this episode of Talking Food with Bidfood, Catherine Hinchcliff is joined by Jim Cathcart, Policy Director at UKHospitality, to break down the 2025 Autumn Budget and explore what the fallout really means for the hospitality and foodservice sectors. From mandatory food reporting proposals to new red tape reforms, this episode dives into the policies shaping the future of our industry, and what operators, chefs, buyers and food development teams need to know right now. Tune in to explore: And much more! Whether you’re an operator, buyer, chef, catering manager or part of a food development team, this episode offers... Chapters (00:00:00) - Talking Food: Autumn Budget(00:01:49) - autumn budget(00:03:37) - Brexit: The biggest impact on hospitality(00:10:15) - Business Rates and Input Costs(00:11:25) - Business Rates: Tourism and Leisure(00:17:21) - VAT in the Budget(00:19:35) - House of Hospitality: National Living Wage and National Insurance Contributions(00:27:19) - Holiday Tax(00:29:46) - The Future of Healthy Food Reporting in the UK(00:32:31) - What's needed to alleviate pressure in the hospitality sector?(00:35:32) - 3 practical tips for hospitality businesses after the budget(00:37:31) - Talking Food

November 13, 202535 min

Talking about what's next for foodservice at the A Taste of Bidfood experts panel

In this episode of Talking food with Bidfood, industry experts from Elior UK, The Alchemist and Bidfood UK discuss what’s next for foodservice and what it takes to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market, straight from the A Taste of Bidfood panel! Tune in to explore: Whether you’re an operator, supplier, or industry professional, this episode offers fresh insights and practical takeaways to help you navigate the road ahead. Discover more about our 2025 Food and Drinks Trends here. Explore Unlock Your Menu, our industry support hub here. Watch the full episode here! Participants: Host: Rhia Harry- Research and... Chapters (00:00:04) - Talking Food With Bidfood(00:01:47) - Foodservice Industry Conference: The Future of Food Service(00:04:21) - The Customer's demands(00:05:31) - Catering: The demands of the consumer(00:09:02) - Food and Hospitality: Innovation and Opportunity(00:11:15) - What's the impact of non-gluten in your sector?(00:12:00) - Tim Worley(00:13:23) - How is sustainability shaping consumer and business decisions?(00:14:43) - The challenge of achieving net zero plastic in our products(00:16:21) - The Collaboration across the Supply Chain(00:17:30) - Vegetarian restaurant: Cost and sustainability(00:18:40) - Technology and its role in food service(00:21:27) - The Future of Hospitality: Enhance, Not Replace(00:25:50) - Deciding whether to invest in technology?(00:28:39) - Bidfood & Alchemist: Collaboration and Partnerships(00:32:20) - Foodservice Future: Enjoy and Protect(00:34:51) - Talking Food With Bidfood

October 13, 202523 min

Talking about feeding futures: Healthy eating in schools

In this episode of Talking Food with Bidfood, Customer Marketing Executive Georgia Leakey is joined by Heather Dolan, Bidfood’s Nutrition Manager, and Ellie Olds, Company Nutritionist at award-winning independent schools caterer Holroyd Howe, to talk about healthy eating in schools. Together, they explore how caterers across the education sector are supporting children to eat well, from interpreting and applying the School Food Standards, to staying ahead of food trends and creating balanced, exciting menus that inspire healthier choices. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical tips, or insights into what’s shaping school menus across the UK, this is your go-to episode.... Chapters (00:00:03) - Healthy Eating in Schools(00:00:40) - School Milk(00:01:52) - Meet the nutritionist at Holroyd Howe(00:03:06) - How nutrition affects the feed supply chain(00:04:07) - Holland Howe School Meals: Healthy Eating(00:09:32) - Independent Schools and the School Food Standards(00:11:06) - Bidfood's school food standards(00:12:27) - EYFS guidelines for early year settings(00:14:30) - Bigfood: Innovation and the Food Trends(00:15:31) - Food and Drink: The 2026 Trends(00:16:22) - School health and well being initiatives(00:18:35) - Food and Drink: Cost Effective Ingredients(00:21:57) - Talking Food: Nutrition for Children

September 26, 202514 min

Talking all things nutrition – empowering teams and nourishing consumers

Join Heather Dolan, Nutrition Manager at Bidfood and Lizzie Foskett, Head of Nutrition and ESG at BaxterStorey as they delve into all things nutrition. They explore BaxterStorey’s sustainable nutrition mission and how they empower their teams through accredited nutrition training, and tackle big questions like: what does “healthy” really mean? And which sources of information can you trust? Tune in for an insightful conversation, practical tips and expert advice to help you support your customer’s health and wellbeing, by creating nourishing, balanced menus and recipes. Participants Host: Heather Dolan, Nutrition Manager Guest: Lizzie Foskett, Head of Nutrition and ESG at... Chapters (00:00:00) - Talking Food With Bidfood(00:01:42) - Lizzie Baxter Story's current focus and projects(00:03:00) - Beans is How It's Done(00:03:49) - Bak's Story's 'More Beans' campaign(00:06:00) - What Does the Word 'Healthy' Mean to You?(00:07:59) - The role of nutritionists in your business(00:09:10) - Is a Registered Nutritionist Necessary for Your Business?(00:10:18) - What is a Nutrition and Health Claim?(00:12:18) - Looking ahead: The future of nutrition(00:12:46) - Talking Food

August 22, 202524 min

Talking about Caterers Campus: Investing in your team's development outside the kitchen

In this episode of Talking Food with Bidfood, Claudia Colborn, New Business Marketing Manager and Senior Customer Marketing Manager, Emily Dart dive into Caterers Campus, Bidfood’s dedicated free e-learning platform for empowering teams with learning, development, and growth. Also, watch out, as they make a call live on air to speak to one of our very own experts to help set the scene… Who will they call? Discover how this innovative platform is helping hospitality professionals sharpen their skills, stay ahead of trends, and futureproof their careers. Whether you’re a chef, a front-of-house manager, or a business owner looking to...

August 4, 202522 min

Talking about why food is just as important as the room: How to create innovative menus and compete with high-street venues

In this exciting episode, Customer Marketing Manager, Imogen Hassard is joined by Leigh Stark, Group Development Chef at Clermont Hotels on “Why food is just as important as the room” revealing how to create innovative menus to compete with high-street venues– all served up in a fresh visual format overlooking Tower Bridge from Clermont’s VU from The Tower bar and kitchen. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical tips, or a behind the scenes look at what’s shaping menus across the UK, this is your go to episode. Discover all our support for hotels here. Interested in our Food and Drinks Trends...