Today's episode of Hangout with Sujata features the brilliant architect of a burgeoning international culinary empire; Simon Rogan. Simon is an internationally renowned, award-winning chef, recognised as one of the pioneers of the farm-to-table movement. In 2002, Simon opened his debut restaurant L’Enclume in The Lake District village of Cartmel, with a focus on hyperlocal and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant currently holds three Michelin stars, the top spot in the Good Food Guide and five AA Rosettes, as well as the top ranking in La Liste with Simon Rogan being the first British chef to achieve this. In 2017, Simon was recognised as the AA chef of the year, and is currently vice president of the Bocuse d'Or UK team.Simon opened Rogan & Co, his second venture in Cartmel in 2008 which won its first Michelin star in 2018 and currently holds three AA Rosettes.

In 2016, Simon launched Aulis Cartmel, a six-seater chef’s table experience. In 2011, Simon established Our Farm in The Lakes, which provides the restaurant group with high quality, sustainable produce. A London outpost of Aulis arrived in October 2017 as a stand-alone dining destination, a twelve-seater chefs table experience in central Soho. Simon expanded his restaurant portfolio to Hong Kong, opening Aulis in January 2019 and Roganic in February 2019. Roganic Hong Kong was awarded its first Michelin star in December 2019. Simon opened Henrock in October 2019, an informally elegant restaurant set within Linthwaite House, a contemporary country house hotel in the heart of the Lake District.

In 2020, in response to the global pandemic, the group launched Home by Simon Rogan, Simon's delivery offering, providing regularly changing three-course 'at home' dining experiences created in The Lakes. In 2021, Simon's efforts towards sustainability were recognised with the newly introduced Michelin green star, awarded to both L'Enclume and Roganic Hong Kong. In 2022, Simon opened a Hong Kong-based bakery and natural wine bar The Baker & The Bottleman. L'Enclume was awarded its third Michelin star, the first restaurant in the north of England to do so. This coincided with the group celebrating 20 years since Simon opened L'Enclume.

In early 2023, he expanded his portfolio to Valletta, Malta with the opening of ION Harbour by Simon Rogan. This was followed by an expansion into Thailand with the opening of Aulis Phuket in December of the same year.

Listen now to the full episode of Simon explaining to Sujata the meaning behind the following selection of music:

1. So It Again by Steely Dan

2. Live Forever by Oasis

3. Git With Me by Paris Red

4. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

5. Like I Love You by Justin Timberlake

6. Virginia Plain by Roxy Music