The London Food Network

He walked into a three Michelin star kitchen at seven years old and never looked back. 46 years later, Antoine Melon is dismantling the idea that great hospitality belongs in a restaurant. In this episode, Antoine shares what 20 years across luxury hotels in 11 countries taught him about service, culture, and what guests actually wantm and why he co-founded HOMETAINMENT to bring private chef and hospitality experiences directly into people's homes. If you work in food, run a hospitality business, or simply want to understand where the industry is heading, this conversation is essential.Connect with Antoine Melon: Website: https://www.antoinemelon.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinemelon/ The Curious Gourmand: https://www.amazon.com/CURIOUS-GOURMAND-CONVIVIAL-HISTORY-DRINKING-ebook/dp/B0CVF6WMZWSponsored by Embrace AI: https://embraceai.co.ukThe London Food Network: Website: https://thelondonfoodnetwork.com Guest Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekx9sI7rV6qmzOkBRAJLn-nQmP8cfSc4jcfEOaWGTbqZhiCw/viewform Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@thelondonfoodnetwork?sub_confirmation=1TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Why a seven-year-old walked into a Michelin kitchen and never left00:05:44 How one meal 46 years ago overruled a 160-year family legacy00:13:44 Why the world's number one hotel school sent him to Egypt first00:16:40 What running 11 countries in 20 years actually teaches you00:19:10 The role he loved most and why the Maldives nearly broke him00:20:22 How Conran, Mandarin Oriental, and Michelin stars shaped his standard00:22:34 The moment he questioned everything and still got it wrong00:24:55 Why he turned down Marrakesh and Barcelona for a struggling island resort00:25:25 How COVID killing his job became the idea behind HOMETAINMENT00:29:25 What booking a private chef at home actually looks like00:31:21 The highs, the lows, and why London wealth leaving hurt the business00:37:43 Where HOMETAINMENT goes next and the Airbnb ambition behind it00:41:45 The book that explains why French fries are not FrenchIf this episode gave you something, share it with a founder who needs to hear it.#LondonFoodNetwork #Hospitality #PrivateChef #FoodFounders #HOMETAINMENT #LuxuryHospitality #FoodIndustry #entrepreneurship Keywords: private chef London, home dining experience, luxury hospitality, food entrepreneur, HOMETAINMENT, hospitality industry insights, food business London, restaurant alternative, private events London, food founder podcast