Celebrated chef, restaurateur and food writer, Mark Hix is best known for his original take on British gastronomy and unwavering honesty. After 17 years heading up kitchens in both The Ivy and Le Caprice and as their Chief Director, Mark left to open HIX Restaurants across London’s West-end and City and in his native Dorset, until they closed in 2020. He bounced back to open The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis in July 2020 and he has now been appointed as Director of Food and Drink at London’s Groucho Club. Through perseverance, resilience and creative-thinking, Mark’s glass-half-full approach has beaten the odds and led to his success. "Selling my name is the only time I've really ever made any money in business. It's a good name, and then I had to buy it back.” In the eighth episode of Are You Sitting Uncomfortably? Host Gemma Greaves and Mark explore the uncomfortable truths about running a restaurant, going into administration right before a global pandemic and what it felt like to buy back his own name. Tell Gemma & the Fresh Air team your story at [email protected]. Listen and follow now to meet the incredible people who all have a story and who are all ready to sit uncomfortably. This is a Fresh Air Production. The producers are Izzie Clarke and Clara Kavanagh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.