Josean Balotin, Mountain

Data analyst turned Michelin Star chef, no one can deny that Josean Balotin, the head chef at Mountain deserves all the recognition he has received. Born and raised in Brazil, it isn’t surprising that the culinary world would whisk him away from his office desk as his mum is a pastry chef. Moving to London a mere 10 years ago, he began working as a kitchen porter and from day one he was determined to succeed; working full-time at restaurants and completing stages on almost all of his days off. Being swept off his feet by the Super 8 group, Joe worked his way up the ranks from chef de partie at Brat to head chef at Brat x Climpson’s Arch within 2 years. Listen as Joe and I discuss what makes the food and produce at Mountain so special. Name another restaurant in central London that makes homemade cheese on-site?! We chat about how the restaurant functions collaboratively and imaginatively and the joys of working in an open kitchen. Mountain received a Michelin Star 6 months after opening its doors, listen to hear all about the glitz, glamour and grind. I’m Stella and I’m gonna take you out for dinner. Mentions: Josean Balotin https://www.instagram.com/joseanbalotin?igsh=MTM5NHE3bTQ1YnlzNQ== Tomos Parry, executive chef, founder and co-owner of Brat, Brat x Climpson’s Arch and Mountain https://www.instagram.com/tomos_pp?igsh=bmV1czA5cDV6aHZi Steve Parle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevie_Parle Brat, Shoreditch https://www.instagram.com/bratrestaurant?igsh=M2QwNTdsYmdlcm9j Brat x Climpson’s Arch, London Fields https://www.instagram.com/brat_climpsonsarch?igsh=cGUxN2Y5djVlMHB3 Fabrizio Romano, head chef at Brat x Climpson’s Arch https://www.instagram.com/fabrizioromanof?igsh=ZmNjZWpxMnZndGQ= Keegan Misanchuk, head chef at Brat https://www.instagram.com/keeganmisanchuk?igsh=MTA3eDl2aGdkdjR2Mw== Suzi Mahon, head pastry chef at Mountain https://www.instagram.com/suzirosalind?igsh=MWhramlmMmFzeDN3OA== Lucy Brierley, general manager at Mountain https://www.instagram.com/lucibri?igsh=aTBuZ2NxZjA2M2U5 Holly Willcocks, head of wine at Mountain https://www.instagram.com/hollywillcocks?igsh=azB0MDZyYWZxbzE1 Songsoo Kim, head of sourcing and development at Super 8 Group https://www.instagram.com/kim_songsoo?igsh=d2p6ZmllcmNhaGh0 Manteca, Shoreditch https://www.instagram.com/manteca_london?igsh=MXF6M2F1Z3ozNm51ZQ==