{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Dig In","title":"Nicholas Balfe on Reinventing Hospitality in the Countryside","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2776,"description":"Welcome to Dig In, Wenodo’s podcast going behind the scenes of modern hospitality.\nFor Episode 3, host David Durban sits down with Nicholas Balfe - chef patron of Holm in Somerset and the chef behind acclaimed London restaurants Salon and Levan - to explore the journey from city restaurants to building a destination dining experience in the countryside.\n\nFrom the challenges of leaving London and starting again, to creating a hospitality business that goes far beyond the restaurant itself, Nicholas reflects openly on leadership, resilience and why guest experience has become the driving force behind everything he does.\nFilmed at the beautiful Holm in South Petherton, this conversation explores what it really takes to build a hospitality business in today's climate, why culture matters as much as cooking, and how meaningful experiences are becoming the future of the industry.\nThis is a conversation about reinvention, resilience and creating hospitality that people want to return to.\n🍽️ In This Episode, We Dig Into:\nMoving from London to Somerset and the realities of starting over\nWhy opening Holm was a much steeper learning curve than expected\nBuilding a restaurant around people, place and community\nHow guest experience has become just as important as the food\nCreating a team culture that delivers genuine hospitality\nDiversifying the business with rooms, events and experiences\nThe importance of resilience in modern hospitality\nWhy human connection will always be hospitality's greatest strength\n⚡ Quick Fire Highlights:\nMost underrated chef: Will Gleave (Sargasso, Margate)\nMost underrated ingredient: Potatoes\nThree traits every chef needs: Humility, compassion and creativity\nCurrent restaurant admiration: Forza\nOne change he'd make to help hospitality: A reduction in VAT for the sector\n🎧 Why Listen?\n\nNicholas offers an honest look at what it means to adapt as both a chef and business owner. From relocating his family and reshaping his business model to building a...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/ebzUu7vBYX1Te4HEWaD7AjCnmOJZHezHiyuD7q_ZTMQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jNmI1/ZGQyNzM4MDgxNDUz/MTc0YmYyMzhkZTE0/ZjE0MC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}