EPISODE · Jul 30, 2026 · 1H 58M
Why the Best Food Writers Never Make Themselves the Story | Paul Clifford
from The Chef JKP Podcast · host The Chef JKP Podcast
Send us Fan MailChef JKP sits down with Paul Clifford, a journalist and editor who has spent more than a decade covering the Middle East's hospitality industry.Paul shares how he left banking to become a reporter, moved from crime journalism into food and hospitality, and built his career in Dubai. They talk about restaurant reviews, food influencers, responsible criticism, career change, and why journalists should never make themselves the story.WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE• Growing up in northeast England and the food that shaped his childhood• Leaving a banking career to become a journalist at 27• Reporting crime and the lessons it taught him about people• Moving to Dubai and building a career in hospitality media• Launching Gault&Millau in the Middle East• The difference between restaurant critics and food influencers• Why credibility matters more than popularity in journalism• His advice for aspiring journalists and storytellersCHAPTERS00:00 Childhood Food Memories10:10 Why He Left Banking For Journalism22:47 Reporting Crime And Learning To Tell Stories48:22 Moving To Dubai And Starting Again01:08:36 Building A Career In Hospitality Media01:34:37 Food Critics vs Food Influencers02:14:23 Why He Left After Eleven Years02:27:01 Advice For Young Journalists02:38:31 Quick Fire Questions02:47:05 Advice To His 16-Year-Old SelfFEATURED GUESTPaul CliffordJournalist, Editor & EntrepreneurInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdclifford/SEASON 13 PARTNERThis season is proudly sponsored by Elle & Vire Professionnel, trusted by chefs around the world for exceptional French dairy products shaped by decades of expertise and craftsmanship.Elle & Vire Professionnel Middle Easthttps://www.instagram.com/ellevirprofessionnel_me/AUDIO PARTNERRØDEhttps://rode.com/SUPPORT THE SHOWChef JKP Thermos Flaskhttps://chefjkp.com/product/jkp-thermos-flask/FOLLOW CHEF JKPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjkp/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjkp/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjkpWebsite: https://chefjkp.com/Food is memories. 🍸#chefjkp #thechefjkppodcast #paulclifford #journalism #hospitality #restaurantreviews #foodmedia #gaultmillau #storytelling #dubai #hospitalityindustrySupport the showFollow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
Send us Fan Mail Chef JKP sits down with Paul Clifford, a journalist and editor who has spent more than a decade covering the Middle East's hospitality industry. Paul shares how he left banking to become a reporter, moved from crime journalism into food and hospitality, and built his career in Dubai. They talk about restaurant reviews, food influencers, responsible criticism, career change, and why journalists should never make themselves the story. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Growi...
NOW PLAYING
Why the Best Food Writers Never Make Themselves the Story | Paul Clifford
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.