#203 - Hospitality Meets Matthew Jones - Bread, Borough Market, and Personal Transformation

Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

Summary:

This week, Phil sits down with master baker and founder of Bread Ahead (https://www.breadahead.com), Matthew Jones for an episode packed with laughter and life lessons. From cheeky kitchen pranks to the transformative power of baking, Matthew’s stories offer a delightful mix of humour and heartfelt insights. Get ready to be entertained by tales of culinary chaos and inspired by Matthew’s journey from pastry novice to successful bakery mogul.

Highlights of the Episode:

Pastry Work and Meditation:

• Phil and Matthew explore the zen-like state one can achieve through the repetitive, skilled labour of baking. Matthew shares his experiences of rolling croissants at lightning speed while being in a meditative state, emphasising the serenity found in mastering a craft.

Kitchen Pranks and Mishaps:

• Prepare to laugh out loud as Matthew recounts his infamous faux crème brûlée prank involving parsnip puree and Tabasco, which accidentally found its way to a restaurant customer's table. This story is a hilarious reminder of the unpredictable fun in a professional kitchen.

From Struggles to Success:

• Matthew candidly discusses his battle with alcoholism and how he rebuilt his life and career with Bread Ahead. His journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of baking, both professionally and personally.

Three Key Takeaways:

Mastery Before Meditation:

• Achieving a meditative state through work is possible, but it requires dedication and skill mastery first. Whether baking croissants or practicing any craft, time and effort are essential ingredients for tranquillity.

Live, Laugh, Bake:

Humour and fun can be integral parts of the kitchen environment. Even amidst the high-pressure demands of culinary work, moments of levity and playful pranks can create lasting memories and camaraderie.

Personal Growth and Redemption:

• Overcoming personal struggles, such as addiction, can lead to profound personal and professional evolution. Matthew’s story from battling alcoholism to establishing a successful bakery illustrates the potential for recovery and growth.

Tune in for an episode that blends the joy of baking with heartfelt personal reflections, packed with laughs and invaluable life lessons.

The Guest

Matthew Jones - Founder and owner of Bread Ahead Bakery in Borough Market, London. A passionate baker and entrepreneur, Matthew's journey from turbulent times to triumphant success is as inspiring as it is entertaining. He is currently working on his memoir, "How Baking Saved My Life," and a children's Christmas book, "The Magical Mince Pies."

Instagram - @breadaheadbakery

X - @BreadAhead

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/breadaheadbakeryschool

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

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