Liz Haigh - Why She Walked Away After Winning a Michelin Star, Her Cookbooks Plagiarism Scandal & Building The UK's Best Singaporean Restaurant

Liz Haigh - Why She Walked Away After Winning a Michelin Star, Her Cookbooks Plagiarism Scandal & Building The UK's Best Singaporean Restaurant

June 29, 2026 · 50 min

About this episode

Liz Haigh discusses her journey in British hospitality, including her Michelin star experience, challenges in the culinary world, and her commitment to Singaporean cuisine.

From winning a Michelin star at Pidgin to walking away at the height of her success, Liz Haigh has had one of the most fascinating journeys in British hospitality. In this episode of Go To Food, Liz joins us to discuss her unconventional path from studying architecture and appearing on MasterChef to becoming one of the UK's most celebrated chefs. We dive into the realities of life in Michelin-starred kitchens, the pressures of creative cooking, and why she ultimately chose a different route. Liz opens up about building her own vision through Mei Mei in Borough Market, where she's championing Singaporean food and culture with dishes inspired by her family and heritage. We discuss why Borough Market remains one of London's most exciting food destinations, the challenges of running an independent food business, and how she's introduced thousands of people to authentic Singaporean flavours through her cooking. The conversation also explores some of the most difficult moments of Liz's career, including the controversy surrounding her cookbook Makan and the plagiarism allegations that led to the book being withdrawn by its publisher. Liz shares her perspective on navigating a very…

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