Local Heroes Podcast

This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, we’re joined by Teesside’s very own Matt Ord, a straight-talking grafter turned business leader helping shape the future of the region.
From growing up in Middlesbrough to carving out a career without a clear path, this is a conversation about instinct, resilience, and making things happen when there’s no blueprint. Matt shares his journey through early graft, sales, and the Chamber, building relationships, spotting opportunity, and backing himself every step of the way. At the heart of this episode is something
deeper.
After 20 years living with colitis, Matt opens up about the decision to undergo life-changing surgery and living with a stoma, and how that moment shifted everything. This isn’t about setbacks, it’s about perspective, confidence, and helping others by being open about the reality. We get into leadership, integrity, and what it actually takes to create opportunities for the next generation, not just talk about it.
And as always, it goes off on one.
Childhood chaos, grafting for your first job with nothing but bus fare, dodging trouble on the estate, and the moments that quietly shape who you become.
There’s our usual food rabbit holes, this week includes, parmos, saveloys, and his Greggs order.
It's a proper dose of North East culture throughout.
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This week on Local Heroes, we’re joined by South Shields’ own Matty and Matteo Minchella - coming from one of the North East’s best-known hospitality families and now building a marketing agency focused on real growth.
From early graft in family-run restaurants and ice cream businesses to helping brands scale through strategy, this is a straight-talking conversation about what it really takes to build something today.
We get into the reality of hospitality in 2026; rising costs, tighter margins, and changing customer habits - and why so many businesses are feeling the pressure. The lads break down the difference between surface-level social media and proper marketing that drives revenue, and why long-term thinking, strong branding, and customer retention are what actually make a business sustainable.
And as always, it goes off on one - stories of sneaking bottles out the family stockroom, mixing absolute chaos into homemade drinks, and early side hustles that somehow turned a profit.
There’s a Greggs habit (including a claim of being in the top 0.1% of spenders) and a radgie seagull incident - swooping in, landing on a shoulder, and robbing a hot beef dip mid-bite - followed by a second, suspiciously coordinated attack days later - naturally leading to Chris floating the theory that these seagulls aren’t just winging it—they’re watching, learning, and possibly working in teams.
That’s what Local Heroes does best - real people, real stories, and the kind of conversations you don’t get anywhere else. Insight, graft, chaos, and a good laugh all in one - straight out the North East.
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This week on the Local Heroes podcast, Chris and Dan are joined by Ian Waller of the formidable Restaurant Pine. Ian works closely with his friend and co-founder Cal Byerley, the man who convinced him to make the move to the North East, and together they’ve built one of the most exciting and unique restaurants in the country. In this episode, Ian shares the story behind that journey, from early days in the industry and life in London to taking a chance on a half-finished space overlooking the Northumberland countryside and turning it into something truly special.
What starts as a chat about fruit (and a surprisingly strong dislike of strawberries) quickly spirals into conversations about boiled eggs in cars, chaotic food experiments, and whether there’s such a thing as too much flavour. This episode goes everywhere - but always circles back to the craft of cooking, creativity, and doing things your own way.
Ian opens up about building Pine from the ground up, the challenges of sourcing local ingredients in the region, and why relationships with farmers and producers are at the heart of everything they do. There’s real insight into their approach to sustainability and zero-waste cooking too, from turning surplus cucumbers into intense, balsamic, like reductions to constantly pushing ideas through experimentation (and plenty of failures along the way).
The episode also touches on the moment Pine received its Michelin recognition, including their Green Michelin Star - awarded for their commitment to sustainability, in a memorable and slightly surreal presentation involving a surprise visit from Alex Nietosvuori of the equally renowned Restaurant Hjem and the soon to open Freyja.
You’ll also get a feel for what makes Pine different - not just the food, but the atmosphere. From chefs serving guests directly to 'Dad rock' music playing in the kitchen and a focus on making people feel relaxed rather than intimidated, it’s a refreshing take on high-level dining.
Expect plenty of laughs, a Greggs menu hacks and a behind-the-scenes look at how curiosity, creativity, and a bit of chaos can lead to something genuinely world-class.
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In this week's Local Heroes Podcast, Chris and Dan sit down with Roger Crosby for a deep-dive into music, graft, and growing up in the North East - from chaotic working men’s club gigs and near-breakthrough moments in the industry to the foundations of what would become Crosby’s Catering.
We explore the reality of chasing music, including lessons from legendary manager Chas Chandler and a pivotal sliding-doors moment that changed everything.
At the heart of it all is Roger’s dad, Bob Crosby, one of eleven from Byker, whose relentless work ethic shaped Roger’s mindset, as he balanced life as a bank manager by day and performing by night.
Packed with humour, wild gig stories, and real-life lessons, this is a conversation about family, risk, resilience, and what it really takes to build something from nothing.
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This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, Chris and Dan talk to Kema Kay – actor, musician, writer and proud Newcastle creative – about his journey from the West End of Newcastle to landing a speaking role in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake and building a career in the creative industries.
Kema shares the reality of starting out as an extra on film sets, the class divide within the industry, and the moment he almost quit acting altogether before landing the role that changed everything. He opens up about dealing with imposter syndrome, auditioning for major Hollywood projects, and the pressure creatives face to change who they are – from their accent to their identity – to fit into the industry.
The conversation also dives into Kema’s upbringing after moving to Newcastle from Zambia, growing up in a tough environment, losing his mother at a young age, and how youth projects and music studios gave him a path away from the streets and into creativity Chris and Dan talk with Kema about building opportunities in the North East, why he chose to stay in Newcastle rather than move to London, and why he believes success should come with “throwing the rope back down” to help the next generation of creatives.
They also get into:
- The reality of breaking into acting without connections
- Why creative careers rarely follow a straight path
- The pressure of success and staying grounded
- Supporting young people through creative opportunities
Of course, we can't avoid the food debates, Greggs orders, and nostalgic food memories from home — including his dad’s legendary cabbage.
It’s an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, identity, and carving your own path in the creative world.
 
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This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, Chris and Dan sit down with the dynamic brewing duo Sam and Red Kellie of First & Last Brewery.
On the eve of the launch of Taste of Northumberland - an exciting new initiative celebrating the very best of the county’s food, drink, and hospitality - Sam and Red reflect on what truly matters: place, provenance, and community. From their early days of home brewing to building a brewery rooted deeply in the Northumberland landscape, they share how local ingredients, foraging, and seasonality shape their beers—and why staying true to where you are can be your greatest strength.
At the heart of it all is a real sense of place - using ingredients that change year to year, meaning no two beers are ever quite the same. It’s about experimentation, storytelling, and creating something that could only come from Northumberland.
We explore the realities of running an independent brewery, the challenges facing the industry, and how moments like COVID reshaped not just their business, but their connection to customers and community. Plus, as always, expect plenty of laughs - from travel mishaps and mozzarella mix-ups to hangover horror stories and the all-important debate: gravy or curry sauce on your chips
Tune in now.
Help support the podcast on our Patreon - patreon.com/LocalHeroesVIP

n this episode of Local Heroes, Chris and Dan sit down with producer, manager and music supervisor Tarquin Gotch, whose career bridges Hollywood, rock music and the North East of England.
Tarquin has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including John Hughes, Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Jimmy Nail, Stuart Copeland, Sting, and bands such as XTC and The Beat. Along the way he’s crossed paths with icons like George Harrison, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Rowan Atkinson, Steve Martin, John Candy, Matthew Broderick and Catherine O’Hara.
Best known for his work with director John Hughes, Tarquin shares behind-the-scenes stories from classic films including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Home Alone. He explains how Hughes encouraged actors like Steve Martin and John Candy to improvise beyond the script — capturing the warmth and humanity that helped make those comedies timeless.
Despite a career that has taken him from London theatres to film sets in Chicago, the North East runs strongly through Tarquin’s story thanks to long-standing collaborations with Jimmy Nail and Brian Johnson, and decades spent working with artists from the region.
From a chance introduction by Kelly LeBrock that led to a life-changing meeting with John Hughes, to producing some of the most loved films of the 1980s and 90s, Tarquin reflects on creativity, collaboration and recognising great talent.
A brilliant conversation about Hollywood classics, rock legends and the North East connections behind them.
Support on our Patreon - patreon.com/LocalHeroesVIP

This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, Chris and Dan sit down with regional TUC secretary Dave Pike to unpack what modern trade unionism really looks like. Representing 800,000 unionised workers across 48 unions, Dave explains how the movement has evolved beyond outdated stereotypes — and why, at its core, it’s still about one simple idea: we look after each other.
From organising his first workplace campaign in Pizza Hut to fighting for fair pay and safer conditions, Dave shares how grassroots action can ripple out into real national change. The conversation digs deep into the political climate shaping today’s workplaces — austerity, the gig economy, small business pressures, and the long shadow of Thatcherism.
Dave speaks candidly about navigating political diversity within unions, being a “critical friend” to government, and why trade unionists must talk to everyone — even those they strongly disagree with. It’s an honest, nuanced discussion about collectivism in a divided age, and why he chooses to stay “aggressively hopeful” despite rising polarisation.
There’s also a powerful personal thread running through the episode. Dave reflects on coming out later in life, the impact of bullying, and why being an openly queer trade unionist matters.
From supporting Pride events when funding was pulled, to standing against hate in communities affected by unrest, he shares how solidarity across differences — whether in steelworks, shipyards, kitchens, or council estates — remains essential to rebuilding trust. Expect deep debates about chip butties pressed flat by hand, the perfect sandwich build, and a very carefully considered Greggs Order.
A thoughtful, passionate, and surprisingly funny conversation about standing up for people — and always saving room for chips.
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This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, Chris and Dan talk to award-winning portrait photographer, Chris Owens about building a career behind the lens and finding your voice in a changing industry. From his early days learning in the darkroom to adapting through the digital revolution, Chris reflects on how discipline, curiosity and human connection shaped the way he sees the world — and why photographing people is as much about psychology as it is about technique.
The conversation explores the tension between commercial success and personal fulfilment — chasing big campaigns, navigating industry gatekeepers, and resisting the pressure to become “known” for one particular look. Chris shares honest insights into representation, rejection, resilience, and the reality of sustaining a long-term career in photography while staying true to your instincts.
They also dive into social media, the democratisation of image-making, and the rise of AI. Rather than fearing it, Chris sees AI as another inevitable shift — arguing that in a world flooded with flawless visuals - imperfection, lived experience and genuine storytelling will only grow in value.
It’s a thoughtful take on where the creative industry is heading and what will continue to matter.
The episode also touches on the birth of Pattern — Chris’s people-first storytelling platform born during lockdown — and how it’s become both a personal outlet and a powerful connector. Expect strong opinions on the debate of our times - curry vs gravy, last meal lasagne, and the ever present Greggs Order.
A wide-ranging, grounded conversation about growth, identity, and doing work that means something.
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This week on the Local Heroes Podcast, Chris and Dan sit down with the godfather of North East hospitality - Terry Laybourne. From washing prep boxes on his very first day in a kitchen to opening Queen Street in 1988 and helping shape the region’s dining scene, Terry shares the story of how a working-class lad from the west end of Newcastle became what he calls a “food engineer.”
He talks about the moment he truly fell in love with food (a life-changing staff curry in Jersey), the insecurities of cooking for the ultra-wealthy in Switzerland, and why curiosity - not ambition - drove his career.
They dive into team culture, leadership and longevity: building restaurants that last decades, the importance of the people around you, and why the kitchen works like a rigid 4-4-2 football team - talent matters, but everyone still has to track back.
Terry also reflects on the realities facing hospitality today, rising costs, post-COVID pressures, and the responsibility of looking after a team of more than 180 staff. There’s a debate over the perfect boiled egg, stories from unforgettable meals in Provence, the perfect last meal before he reveals his very specific Greggs order when the kitchens are closed and hunger strikes.
A funny, honest and thoughtful conversation about graft, humility and building something that lasts.
Help support the podcast on our Patreon - patreon.com/LocalHeroesVIP