About this episode

Patrick McDermott interviews Emily Plunket about the intersection of food, artistry, and community in the catering industry.

Season 3, Episode 9 — “Food, Artistry & People: Inside Dinner Ladies with Emily Plunket”. In this episode, Patrick speaks with Emily Plunket, Executive Chef and Co-Founder of Dinner Ladies, a London-based catering and events company where food, artistry, and people come together to create unforgettable experiences. Emily shares the story of how she and co-founder Lily Cai met at university, moved to Shanghai, and were inspired by its bold flavours, energy, and creativity — unknowingly planting the seed for Dinner Ladies. Back in the UK, their supper clubs became the foundation of a company now known for turning events into experiences. Together, they discuss: Personalisation in hospitality – why listening and tailoring matters more than ever. Sustainability and community – from seasonal menus to The Sharing Plates initiative with The Felix Project and Street Kitchens. Empowering people – building a workplace where staff are heard, trusted, and supported. The future of hospitality education – showing young people that food service can be both creative and fulfilling. Dinner Ladies shows what happens when creativity, purpose, and people come together around the table. Listen…

People in this episode

Host: Patrick McDermott

Guest: Emily Plunket

Topics covered

• food artistry
• hospitality
• sustainability
• community
• empowerment
• hospitality education

Keywords

• Dinner Ladies
• catering
• hospitality
• sustainability
• food service
• personalization
• community initiatives
• empowerment
• culinary experiences

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dinner Ladies, The Felix Project, Street Kitchens

Places: London, Shanghai

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