Fed up — In search of kinder kitchens

Fed up — In search of kinder kitchens

From Every Bite by ABC Australia

March 20, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

This episode explores the challenges faced by chefs and the food industry, featuring insights from Lucy Ridge and SJ Pienaar.

The chef behind Denmark's famous Noma restaurant is the latest hospitality figure to be accused of mistreating staff. It seems that many in the food industry too often face overwork, underpayment and intimidation in the workplace. It's a familiar story to Lucy Ridge, author of Fed Up: A Chef's Adventures in Food, Farming & Feminism. Burnt out, Lucy left the chef life behind and, with the help of women farmers and makers, forged a path towards a more meaningful relationship with food and feeding. Guests: Lucy Ridge , food writer, former chef, author of Fed Up: A Chef's Adventures in Food, Farming & Feminism SJ Pienaar, owner and head cheesemaker at Second Mouse Cheese Co Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at everybite@abc.net.au This episode of Every Bite was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

People in this episode

Guests: Lucy Ridge, SJ Pienaar

Topics covered

  • hospitality
  • workplace culture
  • food industry
  • chef experiences
  • feminism
  • sustainable food

Keywords

  • Noma
  • hospitality
  • workplace mistreatment
  • food culture
  • feminism
  • chefs
  • sustainable food

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Noma, Second Mouse Cheese Co

Books & works: Fed Up: A Chef's Adventures in Food, Farming & Feminism

Places: Denmark, Wurundjeri, Kulin Nation

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