Andreas Labridis - Redefining Greek Food In London - Why Restaurants Should Never Give Out Anything For Free & Why It's Time The Government Start Supporting Hospitality Before It's Too Late!

From JP Morgan spreadsheets to hand-picking olive oil in Crete, Andreas Labridis has built a modern Greek food empire in London — and he’s only just getting started. In this fascinating conversation, the Opso and Kima co-founder recalls the wild early days of Opso, when guests would come expecting smashed plates and Zorba music, and how he set out to show the city what modern Greek dining could truly be. He shares the thinking behind Kima’s fin-to-gill philosophy, a bold approach to seafood that uses every possible part of the fish to create dishes that are as sustainable as they are delicious. Andreas explains how a gamble on Greek brunch — complete with house-made pastries, breads, and the now-legendary bugatza — turned into queues snaking around the block, and why he’s on a mission to introduce Londoners to Greece’s winter cuisine, from rich stews to mountain game. He speaks candidly about the behind-the-scenes reality of running restaurants under London’s punishing tax and cost pressures, revealing just how tight the margins can be even for a thriving group. We also travel with him back to Athens, where he shares his favourite culinary gems — the places locals really go — and the wave of young chefs reshaping the city’s food scene. Along the way, there are stories of nightmare service days, quirky customer encounters, and the chef partnerships that have helped fuel his success. Andreas also lets loose on food fads (including his pet hate for putting caviar on everything) and pays homage to a Hall-of-Fame dish of snails with rye, bacon and pesto that blew his mind. If this episode leaves you hungry, book a table at Opso for modern Greek brilliance, or cross the street to Kima for a sustainable seafood experience unlike any other. And for a taste of their genius at home, pick up the Opso cookbook, Modern Greek Food — the next best thing to being there. --------- 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.