Shows
Empty Plates25. Heems on Indian French Toast, Taking Anthony Bourdain to Queens, and Temple CookingIn this weeks Anjli episode we speak to Himansu Suri - also known through his stage Moniker as ‘Heems’. "Heems" Suri is an artist, rapper, and writer from Queens, NY. Himanshu Kumar Suri, better known by his stage name Heems, is an American rapper. Suri came to prominence as a member of the alternative hip hop group Das Racist, with whom he released two mixtapes and one albumHe first received recognition as a founder of the art-rap trio Das Racist, before releasing solo work and later joining the actor Riz Ahmed in the transatlantic rap g...2025-05-2649 minEmpty Plates24. Rebecca Ghim on Kimchi as an act of resistance and resilienceIn this episode Anjli speaks to Rebecca Ghim the founder of the Ferm - A London based Fermentary - that produces incredible low carbon kimchi! Rebecca is from Gwangju, South Korea, a town known for good food and is the home to the World Institute of Kimchi. After her MA focused on food waste, food insecurity, and food sovereignty, she decided to marry her heritage and research by creating The Ferm, as the medium of expansion of her low-carbon lifestyle and activism by tackling systematic food waste on production and manufacturing levels.She ha...2025-04-221h 12Empty Plates23. Bettina Campolucci Bordi on childhood in Tanzania, heroing produce and owning your food memoriesIn this week's episode Anjli speaks to Bettina Campolucci Bordi,Bettina is a phenomenal self -taught chef, author and she also runs a retreat chef academy. Bettina works across the plant based food scene from training wellness chefs, to advocating for sustainable proteins with the likes of Baxterstorey and Chefs Manifesto! Her story of how she entered the food industry is one of following intuition it seems and letting life guide you into the next stage. Bettina seamlessly manages to demonstrate that a chef doesn't just wear one hat - they can...2025-03-3141 minEmpty Plates22. Dr Neha Vermani on the colonisation of our diets, biryani and understanding our own food waysIn today's episode Anjli speaks to doctor Dr Neha Vermani, a historian of early modern South Asia, particularly the Mughal Empire about the how our diets have been unwittingly been colonised by food ways. Neha’s research focuses on intersections between material culture (especially food practices and human-plant-animal interactions) and histories of science, senses, emotions, and self-fashioning. Together they explore the topic of food migration through the lens of ancient supply chains, food theories and food as a key component of human migrational identity. Along with co-editing a volume on recipes as sources of history writin...2025-03-171h 22Empty Plates21. On Migration, Heritage & Rituals - a special live recording at Hatchards PiccadillyIn this very special episode of Empty plates, Anjli leads us through a our first Empty Plates LIVE recording and was recorded with a live audience at Hatchards in Piccadilly, also known as London's oldest book storeShe sat down with both Mira Manek and Doctor Chintal Patel to discuss the journey of how we protect and preserve our heritage in food and rituals, and reflect on how our own journeys of migration have shaped our relationship with Food and how we attempt keep them alive.It's not really until you ge...2025-02-2451 minEmpty Plates20. Lauren Lovatt on finding herself in the the delightful world of plantsIn this week's episode, Anjli speaks with Chef Lauren Lovatt. Lauren is not only a chef but also a food artist, author, and the founder of Plant Academy—an incredibly successful plant-based cooking school.If you think of raw food in London, Lauren is undoubtedly one of the key figures who comes to mind. Today's discussion explores Lauren's personal journey with plant-based food and delves into pivotal, life-changing dishes that have shaped her path. Lauren shares anecdotes from her curious experimentation at the age of 10, to her personal mental health struggles, and ultimately, to finding her calling in...2025-02-101h 19Empty Plates19. Building a restaurant legacy with Dharmesh & Enna Lakhani from Bobby'sIn this week's episode Anjli speaks to Dharmesh & Enna Lakhani, the co-owners of the Bobby’s, established in 1976, it is one of the UK’s first Indian restaurants, nestled on a bustling corner of Belgrave Road in Leicester. Building a restaurant is in many cases can be a pipedream, and for those who manage to get to opening day and live our there dream they quickly realise the next challenges are a mixture of staying relevant, balancing the cash-cows from and question marks and avoiding burn out. Like most business owners, an independent restaurant is a job w...2025-01-221h 09Empty Plates18: Dhilon Devji of 'Dhils Kebab' on creating the UK's best vegan kebabIn this episode Anjli speaks to Dhilon Devji, the founder of Dhils the creator of the Vegan Seekh Kebab. "Irresistibly Meaty, Unbelievably Vegan" and the new appointed creator of the UK's best vegan kebab. Dhils story is a fascinating one, having spotted a gap in the market for South Asian flavour and culturally relevant alternative protein brands and syncing this desire with his scientific knowledge to create a 2D protein all from the comfort of his make shift home kitchen during Covid. To now, in 2025 to running a leading vegan food bu...2025-01-1357 minEmpty Plates17: Chandani Kohli of Biskut Bar | What is a South Asian biscuit?Today, Anjli is speaking to Chandani Kaur Kohli, founder of Biskut Bar, the first premium Punjabi biscuit company building a sustainable biscuit dreamland. So in this episode we will be talking about episode to AUTHENTICY, looking at how independent producers weave their core brand message through the web of sales, marketing and above trend, to ensure that they and their products align to the core values and principles of their brands DNA.Their offerings reimagine the bold aromatics of South Asia into cookie treats with recipes uniquely developed using single-variety spices and nuts t...2024-12-1651 minEmpty Plates16. Mallika Basu on the difference between food appropriation and appreciationIn this weeks episode Anjli speaks to Mallika Basu. Mallika is a writer, commentator and board adviser in the food & hospitality industry. Be ready for some fast paced, straight forward conversation on the semantics of APPROPRIATION vs APPRECIATION and a deep dive into supermarket equity!With two published cookbooks, she writes an award-nominated newsletter More than Curry covering the link between food, people and planet.Malika, also delivers key cultural training on cultural appropriation, diversity, representation labels which she has delivered to organisations including Penguin Random House, Jamie Oliver Group, Tesco, Greggs and Wa...2024-11-2756 minEmpty Plates15. Poorva Joshipura MD of Peta talks Veganism and the impact of 'pure vegetarianism'In this episode Anjli speaks to Poorva Joshipura, Senior Vice President of International Affairs for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) about the perception of veganism, animals as food, domestication, planetary health, human health, ethics and of course what it means to consume food? Poorva Joshipura is an key voice in vegan ethics and culture and esteemed author as we as an advisor for different organizations that protect domesticated work animals used for work in India and Jordan Her book first book 'For A Moment Of T...2024-10-141h 03Empty Plates14. Ahmed Jaffer - Holistic movement coach on Mens healthIn this episode we speak to holistic movement coach, Ahmed Jaffer. Ahmed's approach to health is focused on building alignment through posture and internal awareness. He works with clients to help them discover themselves through exercise. In this episode we will touch on perceptions of physical health inside the South Asian community and how he is paving a way to create safe spaces for people of color to experience a fitter version of their bodies and minds. Ahmed is a know coach across London and actively works to encourage and enhance the relationship between body, mind...2024-10-0152 minEmpty Plates13. Dr Sumi Baruah & Dr Chintal Patel on making health accessible & Type 2 DiabetesIn this episode Anjli speaks with two incredibly esteemed doctors who are actively working to empower the population to choose better health and choice through educationNHS GP, Author and Food Influencer Dr Chintal Patel, Chintal is a NHS GP based in the bustling heart of Central London with over 20 years clinical practice and she is also the the Dr behind Dr Chintal's Kitchen where she teaches families the basics to prepare easy and nutritious meals together. Dr. Sumi Baruah is an experienced and passionate General Practitioner, Certified Health Coach and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur with a...2024-09-091h 15Empty Plates12. Anshu Ahuja of Dabba Drop, the UK's 1st tiffin serviceToday, Anjli speaks to Anshu Ahuja, Co Founder of DabbaDrop, a pioneer of London meal subscription services. DabbaDrop is a female owned vegan subscription takeaway service, delivering homestyle South Asian Food. Founded in 2018 in East London by Anshu Ahuja and Renee Williams, two Hackney neighbourhood friends who bonded over their love of cooking. Both were keen to build a business to fit around family life, alongside making a difference to the planet for future generations. This company has shown what it takes to remain authentic to its roots whilst paving a route to market that wo...2024-09-0239 minEmpty Plates11. Dev Sharma Youth MP on Food AccessIn this episode Anjli speaks to Dev Sharma, an 18-year-old Youth MP and founding youth campaigner at Bite Back, currently chairing the UK Parliament's first-ever youth inquiry into the cost of living. Campaigning to challenge the injustices of the food system, his activism includes delivering a Charter to No.10 and advising companies on food policy. Recognised with the Diana Award and UK Parliament Award, his work has been at the forefront against junk food advertising online, with his open letter, supported by Jamie Oliver and other large food charities leading to a govt ban on suc...2024-08-1256 minEmpty PlatesWhy South Asian Excellence? - The teaser that you need to listen to!This special series is a delicious deep dive into the worlds of South Asians working across diverse intersections in food and culture in the UK and that are informing educating and serving society through their work. The idea for this series was born from a deep curiosity to examine and understand what it means to be of South Asian ancestry and working in food & culture. We are looking at how our lives as immigrants, often refugee, 1st, 2nd & 3rd gen diaspora lives have patterned the way we see the world of food. This series provides a...2024-08-0803 min
Legal Insights from CapsticksProcurement Bill podcast: Episode 4 - Direct awardWelcome to Capsticks’ new Procurement Bill podcast. These podcasts are to help procurement teams in contracting authorities and bidders to navigate the expected changes under the Procurement Bill, providing practical tips on the implications of the changes. The podcasts relate to the first draft of the Procurement Bill and we know the final version of the procurement legislation may be different – we will provide updates.
This episode is delivered by Katrina Day (legal director) and Anjli Vyas (principal associate) who specialise in public procurement; explaining how to make direct awards under the new legislation.2022-06-0912 minEmpty Plates10. Kirk Haworth, Chef & Co-Founder of PlatesIn this episode Anjli speaks to Kirk Haworth, an incredibly esteemed chef, mental health activist and a leading voice in plant based food, and most recently as the first plant-based chef to ever compete on the Great British Menu. If you know of plant based food, in London, or pretty much anywhere, you will know of him. He makes vegetables look phenomenal - showing them as the primary on the plate! He has made many of us question whether meat has a place on the menu at all. Kirk has worked with incredible restaurants such as The Fre...2022-03-2851 minEmpty Plates9. Lucy Vincent on prison food and eating nostalgic piesIn this episode we are speaking to Lucy Vincent, Founder of Food Behind BarsFood Behind bars is the UK’s only charity dedicated to transforming prison food. Improving the lives of the people eating it, supporting the people making it. The charity is focused on positively impacting the health and wellbeing of prisoners, by delivering practical food-based education, promoting healthy eating and designing radical food initiatives across the UK’s HM prison network.Lucy is a trained journalist and activist, her work is focused on spotlighting the connection between mental health...2022-01-2444 minEmpty Plates8. Shilo Shiv Suleman on food, art and social change.In this episode we speak to Shilo Shiv Suleman, a multi disciplinary South Asian artist, activist, visionary and mystical general warrior. Shilo Shiv Suleman is an Indian contemporary artist. Her work encompasses illustration and installation art. Shilo's practice focuses on the intersection of magical realism, art for social change and technology. She is the founder and director of the Fearless Collective, a South Asia based public arts organisation. Fearless Collective is a South Asia based public arts organisation & charity that works to empower women, especially in marginalised communities, by re...2022-01-1755 min
The Food FightMaking better choices: how to achieve the ideal dietThe modern western diet is making us and our planet sick. Matt and Lukxmi are joined by Dr. Gunhild Stordalen, founder and executive chair of the EAT Forum, and Anjli Vyas, food and impact lead at Planet Nourish, to discuss where it all went wrong and what an ideal diet looks like for all of us.2022-01-1247 minEmpty Plates7. Chanda Vyas on priesthood and motherhoodIn this weeks Anjli speaks to her mother - Chanda Vyas, is the UK’s first Hindu female priest. She plays multiple roles as a mother, daughter, wife, grandmother, neighbour, feminist, LGBTQ advocate. Chanda breaks the glass ceiling of what it means to be a female community leader. She continues to creatively adapt and evolve ancient wisdom, making it accessible and understandable to everyone. She enables the youth to understand their spirituality, empowers marginalised communities to use their voice and most importantly holds space for people to feel equal. She has worked with and supported multiple...2022-01-0954 minEmpty PlatesHow do you see the unseen? - Thoughts on foodHow do you know what you cannot see? A short essay about our hidden internal experiences that subconsciously shape our everyday. #Thoughtsonfood2021-12-0501 minEmpty Plates6. Carolyn Steel on food ways, loss and childhoodIn this episode Anjli speaks to none other than Carolyn Steel. Carolyn Steel is a leading thinker on food and cities. Her first book, Hungry City, received international acclaim, establishing her as an influential voice in a wide variety of fields across academia, industry and the arts. A London-based architect, academic and writer, Carolyn has lectures across prestigious institutions and organisations. Her most recent book Sitopia - How Food can save the world is is an excavation of how our world is shaped by food and how our search and c...2021-05-2646 minEmpty Plates5. Martin Allen Morales on finding home, migration and female anchorsIn this episode we speak Martin Allen Morales. Martin is an award winning Peruvian restaurateur and the founder of the incredible restaurant group Ceviche; that houses both Ceviche and Andina. During this episode we touch on his beautiful story of how found home through the tales and recipes from the women in his family. As well as being a phenomenal chef, cookbook author, he is also an avid record collector. He has most recently founded, 2N Management a circular economy focused management consultancy where the main aim is to transform behaviour and increase conscious consumption. https://www.instagr...2021-05-2039 minEmpty Plates4. Jess Latchford on saving surplus and motherhoodIn this episode we speak to Jess Latchford, the founder of Waste Knot - an organisation that is on a mission to tackle food waste by rescuing surplus vegetables out of farmers’ fields and putting them into use in chefs' kitchens. Jess has been involved in the fresh produce industry for over a decade. And as well as WAGING A WAR ON WASTE. She is also Ensuring farmers are paid and receive commercial value for their incredible produce. https://www.wasteknot.org.uk/https://www.instagram.com/wasteknotuk/h...2021-05-0646 minEmpty Plates3. Mira Manek on the wonders of ChaiIn this episode we speak to the author, wellness expert and chai extraordinaire Mira Manek. Mira is an author of two books, a beautiful Gujarati inspired cookbook Saffron Soul and Prajna - a book on Ayurvedic Rituals for Happiness. She has hosted a huge array of events from supper-clubs to wellbeing talks and runs her own retreats. Mira is also a certified integrative health practitioner and therapist. Her incredible journey into food is a life-long quest connected heavily to her love of travel and her ancestral home of India. https://www.instagram.com/miramanek/...2021-04-2245 minEmpty Plates2. Gavin Wren on food systemsIn this episode we speak to leading food policy expert, Gavin Wren. Gavin is researcher, food systems consultant, writer, editor and coffee connoisseur. He is the founder of Wren & Co, a creative food systems consultancy that is focused on finding innovative solutions to solving complex problems. In 2020, he also founded Quota Media, a media organisation that is focused on delivering global news on the subject of food security. He also has a huge following on Tik Tok, where he is the platform's self-proclaimed ‘Food Policy Expert’ and recently hit a staggering 1 million views. Follow Gavin on: Tik Tok: h...2021-04-1639 minEmpty Plates1. Douglas McMaster on zero waste pioneeringIn this episode we explore the culinary history of Douglas McMaster, a thought leader on zero waste cooking and sustainable living. He is the founder of Silo, the UK's first zero waste restaurant in Hackney. He has worked at 20 restaurants globally including the infamous St Johns, Heston Blumenthal’s renowned the Fat Duck, and of course Noma, in Copenhagen. Doug has been exposed to a wide array of food influences and education throughout his life many of which give him a particular and powerful perspective. 2021-04-0954 minEmpty PlatesIt's story time - Why an empty plate?In this episode, it's time for a story. We unearth the story of how empty plates came about, we go back in time and understand why empty plates are such an important of our lives, and how many of them go ignored. We look at the defining moment when Anjli realised the significance and value of this moment. 2021-04-0504 min