Will Beckett - Hawksmoor Founder On; How He Broke America, His Huge Falling Out With Keith McNally & A.A. Gill's Brutal Review!

This week on The Go-To Mise en Place, we’re celebrating 15 years of Hawksmoor Seven Dials—one of London’s most beloved restaurants—with co-founder Will Beckett. Over a very special lunch from their 15th birthday menu (available Monday to Friday lunchtimes for just £19.50—arguably the best value lunch in the West End), Will reflects on the journey that took Hawksmoor from a scrappy East London opening to a globally respected restaurant group with sites in New York and Dublin. In a conversation as honest as it is insightful, Will talks about the systems and philosophies that keep the business grounded and people-focused—from staff culture and team rituals to thoughtful leadership and scaling with integrity. He breaks down what “mise en place” means outside the kitchen, shares what he looks for in great hospitality, and explains why real success has little to do with chasing trends. Whether you're obsessed with restaurants, fascinated by founder stories, or just curious about what makes a place special, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of Britain’s best restaurant groups is run. ---------- Please leave us a great rating and a comment and share it with your friends - it really helps us grow as a show. If you're in the industry and are looking for the greatest POS system in the world than look no further as Blinq are tearing up the rulebook—no long-term contracts, no hidden fees, and no per-device charges. Just £49 a month for unlimited devices and 24/7 UK-based support that’s always there, in person when you need it. Built for hospitality, by hospitality, blinq is the fastest, easiest POS system on the market—so intuitive, anyone can use it. And while others take weeks to get you up and running, with blinq, you’re live in just 2 hours. Join the hospitality revolution today & use the code GOTOBLINQ to get your first month free - https://blinqme.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.