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The Food Programme: Julian Metcalfe: A Life Through Food

26/07/2020

Julian Metcalfe: A Life Through Food

BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, Julian Metcalfe: A Life Through Food

The man behind Pret A Manger and itsu on the future of high-street food brands.

Sheila Dillon talks to the man behind game-changing food retail concepts Pret A Manger and itsu about what it takes to be successful and what the future holds for fast food brands.

Slowly, the hospitality industry is easing itself out of lockdown: but the sector has been hard hit - particularly those high-street outlets seen in towns and cities across the country, offering quick lunch options for a legion of office workers who are no longer around...

In a sector that was already struggling, with slow business hitting chains such as Jamie's Italian and burger brand Byron, what will it take for these brands to not only survive coronavirus, but thrive long term?

Who better to ask than a man who's been instrumental in shaping the nation's high-street fast food offerings: Julian Metcalfe.

Sheila Dillon speaks to the co-founder of international food retailer Pret A Manger about entrepreneurship, his on Asian-inspired brand itsu, staying creative during lockdown - and what he sees as his mission to offer healthy, affordable fast food on the high street.

Presented by Sheila Dillon, produced by Lucy Taylor.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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