In this festive episode of The Go-To Weekend, Kate Austen is joined by bestselling author and content creator John Gregory-Smith for a Christmas catch-up packed with food, family and unfiltered conversation. Over questionable mulled wine, John cooks harissa beef meatballs with giant couscous from his new book The Greatest Tray Bake Cookbook Ever, sharing why tray bakes still matter, how convenience has reshaped modern cookbooks, and why slow cooking deserves more respect.

The chat moves from publishing pressures and social media algorithms to John’s unconventional route into food, including an early stint at Gordon Ramsay’s Royal Hospital Road. He reflects on the realities of Michelin kitchens, the boredom behind the brilliance, and how content creation has become a full-time business driven by luck, repetition and relentless self-editing. There is frank discussion about online backlash, cultural ownership, and the emotional toll of chasing performance in an unpredictable digital landscape.

Christmas traditions take centre stage as John shares his late-night family feasts, buffet-style turkey strategy, and Boxing Day curry ritual, alongside tips for stress-free hosting. The episode wraps with quick-fire recommendations on London culture, late-night eats, date spots, festive outings and foodie weekends, all delivered with humour, warmth and plenty of juicy meatballs. A relaxed, funny and honest way to round off the year.

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Welcome to The Go-To Weekend, where chef Kate Austen welcomes one of the most influential voices in modern British seafood cooking into her kitchen. This episode features Tom Brown, former Michelin starred head chef of Cornerstone, Great British Menu winner, and the chef behind some of London’s most talked about openings in recent years. From Cornwall to Hackney Wick, Brown’s career has been defined by ambition, precision, and a refusal to stand still.

Tom reflects on the reality of competing on Great British Menu, from the chaos behind the cameras to the life changing effect it had on his restaurants. He speaks candidly about the pressure to win, the disappointment of criticism, and how reviews can shape not just public perception but personal confidence. It is a frank look at success, ego, and the cost of visibility in hospitality.

In the kitchen, Tom cooks one of his signature dishes, the Cornerstone hake kebab filled with pesto butter, while breaking down technique, sustainability, and why hake deserves far more respect than it gets. Alongside the cooking, he opens up about closing Cornerstone, the emotional weight of shutting a restaurant, and why knowing when to walk away can be as important as knowing how to build.

The conversation moves beyond food into burnout, viral dishes, London dining culture, and Tom’s work as a consultant on the film Boiling Point. Honest, sharp, and deeply human, this episode captures the reality of modern chef life, the highs, the losses, and what comes next after the lights go out.

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Step into this week’s episode of The Go-To Weekend as Kate Austen swaps her Michelin-trained kitchen for one of London’s most talked about cult restaurants. Formerly known as Black Axe Mangal, the space feels charged with history and flavour, and Kate joins chef owner Lee Tiernan for an unforgettable deep dive into food, culture, and the reasons behind his bold decision to pause the restaurant after eleven influential years.

It all begins with a borschtback, a punchy signature drink that sets the tone for the afternoon. From there, Kate and Lee roll up their sleeves to cook one of the restaurant’s most loved dishes, working with his Tartine-inspired flatbread dough and the trout roe and warm butter topping that regulars obsess over. As they cook, Lee opens up about the philosophy that shaped him at St John, the thrill of feeding queues around the block during the early kebabstand days, and how creativity, art, and instinct have defined his work.

The conversation goes deeper into the realities of running a restaurant in today’s climate. Lee speaks candidly about rising costs, shifting food culture, and the balance between ambition and family life. From Copenhagen kebab revelations to the magic of a perfect lunch, Kate draws out the stories that reveal how a chef builds a truly singular identity and why stepping away can sometimes be the bravest move of all.

Kate wraps the episode with a feast, a flurry of quickfire questions, and a celebration of the pubs, Brick Lane bagels, date nights, and Christmas pantos that shape Lee’s London. It is warm, honest, funny, and full of the kind of food moments that stay with you. Follow The Go-To Weekend on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and all the usual platforms, and settle in for a brilliant conversation to kick off your weekend.

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