The Little Dumpling King
A film directed by Molly Smith, with assistant direction by Liam Salmon (2024 student film)
The Little Dumpling King follows Rob McIntyre, the chef behind a small-plates restaurant and natural wine bar in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Rob discusses how the business began as a pop-up in Chester during lockdown before relocating to Stoke, and reflects on the challenges and rewards of running an independent restaurant.
The film explores Rob’s experience of working in hospitality, including the long hours, pressure and difficulty of maintaining a work-life balance while running a business. He also talks about his working-class background and the importance of being proud of where you come from. Alongside Rob, the film captures perspectives from the people working at the restaurant and their appreciation of the customers, regulars and local community.
For Rob, the satisfaction of hospitality comes from creating food that people enjoy and seeing customers connect with the restaurant. The film offers an insight into the realities of running a small independent business and the personal fulfilment that can come from doing work that brings people together.
The film was produced as part of Work Placement for Humanities Postgraduates – ENG 40057 and CPA4007 (Professional Practice), supervised by Dr Pawas Bisht.
““I can come in and cook the food and people enjoy it.””
Films produced by Keele University’s BA Media students examining the theme of ‘Workers’ in the context of the city of Stoke-on-Trent and the wider region of North Staffordshire. Examining the nature of modern work; different kinds of workers sharing why they do what they do, what motivates them, and the challenges of work in the current situation in the UK.The films foreground the agency and creativity of the residents of our local region providing a perspective largely absent from mainstream media.