From flipping burgers at McDonald’s to leading kitchens for Lloyd’s of London and Barclays, Hayden’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, discipline, and self-belief.

On the podcast, he opens up about his unlikely journey from aspiring pro cyclist to award-winning chef, how sport shaped his approach to kitchen leadership, and the lessons learned from both triumph and failure, including the infamous ‘grouse incident’ that nearly broke him but ultimately set him on the path to success.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Hayden’s early start in food and how important lemon drizzle cake was.
• How his love of cycling built the mindset that carried him through his career.
• The intense years running the kitchens at Lloyd’s of London and Barclays.
• Competing in National Chef of the Year - and what it took to go from third place to the top spot.
• The story behind his blog It’s Not About the Grouse and how failure sparked a new chapter.
• His ongoing work as a consultant, mentor, and advocate for balance and resilience.
• The crossover between cycling discipline and kitchen excellence.

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