Kitchen Tales podcast highlights stories of local people working in hospitality

Two local caterers have joined together to share the stories of those working in the local hospitality sector.

Colline Rufaro, from Colline’s Kitchen, and Rhona Everard, from Thyme, have launched a new podcast – Kitchen Tales – to highlight all the great stories of independent businesses across the district.

And the first release went into the top 20 in the Apple UK food category charts – and number 49 in Portugal.

It also made the top 100 in the Apple arts category.

But for the two friends it’s all about collaboration and helping each other succeed.

Which is why they’ve started filming the episodes at Creative Content Studios, a new business in Thatcham that opened in February.

And they are also working with Stela Vulpe, a content and social media creator who also works with local businesses such as Mio Fiore and the Five Bells at Wickham.

The new podcasts, which are released at 6pm on a Tuesday, are aimed at getting everyone talking about the local food industry and what the personal journeys of those running them have been like.

Mrs Rufaro said: “Now we both work for ourselves it’s about sharing ideas, sharing the highs and lows of the industry.

“The main aim is to highlight other local businesses.

“Everything is about West Berkshire and North Hampshire.”

Mrs Everard added: “I am really enjoying it. It was a bit of fun to get us away from the kitchen and to connect with other local businesses.

“Small businesses are suffering and so to just highlight them is great.

“It’s about bringing everyone together because everyone works on their own.”

With laughs guaranteed, topics covered so far include starting a business, juggling family life and which other local businesses they have been to lately.

“We are having people approach us now to ask to come on,” added Mrs Rufaro.

“It’s all about collaboration of competition. We help each other out and we want to highlight that.

“It’s okay to help the competition, there’s ways we can work together.”

Mrs Everard’s business Thyme offers catering for events, as well as deliveries of home-cooked meals.

Mrs Rufaro’s company, Colline’s Kitchen, offers catering for businesses, events and conferences.

They have now released six Kitchen Tales, which you can find wherever you get your podcasts from.