DeepSummary
In this episode of The Food Chain, Ruth Alexander interviews three couples who own and operate restaurants together. The first couple, Jaz Navin and Andrea Follador, own The Perfect Match restaurant in Sale, England, where Jaz is the chef and Andrea is the sommelier. They discuss how they met while working at Gordon Ramsay's Savoy Grill in London, the challenges of running a business together, and the importance of separating their professional and personal lives.
Next, Ruth speaks with Francisco Araya and Fernanda Guerrero, chefs from Chile who have worked together in various restaurants across Asia, including their current fine dining establishment, Araya, in Singapore. They share their experiences of moving to different countries, learning to make decisions together, and the role of therapy in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Finally, Ruth interviews Rita Sodi and Jody Williams, who own five restaurants and bars together in New York City. They discuss meeting while working at neighboring restaurants, the process of opening their first joint venture, Via Carota, and the value of life experience in navigating the challenges of running a business as a couple.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Running a restaurant with a romantic partner can be challenging, but also rewarding, as it allows couples to work closely together and support each other.
- Maintaining boundaries between professional and personal lives is crucial for couples working together, to prevent work from consuming their entire relationship.
- Open communication, honesty, and the ability to compromise are essential for couples running a business together.
- Life and work experience can provide valuable perspective and help couples navigate the challenges of running a business together.
- Starting a business with a partner can test a relationship, but can also strengthen it if couples are able to weather difficulties and support each other.
- Couples should learn from their mistakes and be willing to seek outside help, such as therapy, to improve their communication and work-life balance.
- While there are challenges, being a couple can also be an asset for a restaurant business, providing a compelling story and demonstrating a strong partnership.
- Ultimately, running a restaurant together is not just a business or a relationship, but a shared life, requiring a deep commitment and willingness to work as a team.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We didn't agree. We didn't plan, and we just did it.“ by Jodie Williams
- “And there was a point that I was looking to my coworker. I wasn't looking at my partner or my girlfriend anymore.“ by Francisco Araya
- “I think we're pretty honest to each other. Yeah. I think that is also the key of the relationship. You know, there is nothing behind anything. It's just on the face.“ by Andrea Follador
Entities
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Person
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Episode Information
The Food Chain
BBC World Service
6/19/24
What’s it like spending 24 hours a day together? Ruth Alexander speaks to couples who run restaurants. She hears how they met, what they argue about and why being a couple might be good for business.
Ruth visits Andrea Follador and Jazz Navin at ‘The Perfect Match’ restaurant in Sale, in the North West of England. Jazz is the chef and Andrea is the sommelier, the two met working at Gordan Ramsay’s ‘The Savoy Grill’ in London. Ruth speaks to Frederico Araya and Fernanda Guerrero, chefs who have lived and worked together in their native Chile, China, and now Singapore where they run fine dining ‘Araya’ restaurant. Rita Sodi and wife Jody Williams ran a restaurant each, and then decided to open one together, 'Via Carota' in New York, United States. Today they run five bars and restaurants together in the city.
If you would like to get in touch with the show please email thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk.
Presented by Ruth Alexander.
Produced by Beatrice Pickup.
(Image: Andrea Follador and Jazz Navin who run ‘The Perfect Match’ restaurant together in North West England. Credit: BBC)