Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street: Recent Episodes
Phil Street
Hospitality Meets... is your weekly light-hearted look into the stories and journeys that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Join founder and host Phil Street as he meets people from all walks of life from within the industry from the Founders, the Chefs, the Hotel General Managers and Restaurant Managers to the Engineers, Designers, Financiers and even Politicians. Phil will be showcasing the sheer diversity of opportunity that exists within hospitality and the fun you can have along the way all through the wonderful stories that exist in day to day life. So whether you work in hospitality already or are hospitality curious then join Phil for a laugh and some insight into the greatest industry on earth.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Hannah Swarbrick-Done followed a boy to Thailand with dreams of an idyllic island life.
The relationship lasted approximately one weekend.
Hannah stayed for two years.
What followed included living in a house made from bottles, running one of the world’s largest pub crawls, guiding travellers around Thailand and becoming sufficiently relaxed about footwear that she once wore two left flip-flops without noticing.
Eventually, Hannah returned to Manchester with plans for her own hostel, including the uniforms, interiors and complete guest experience.
There was just one minor omission.
A business plan.
Today, she is the founder of The Yellow Group, helping hospitality businesses align their people strategy with their plans for growth - while also building AI tools, employing a virtual non-executive director called Simon and developing a highly influential golf account with nearly 400 followers.
We Cover* Following that boy to Thailand - and outlasting the relationship by nearly two years * Travel * Designing an entire hostel before learning how to operate one * The leader who asked Hannah one simple, career-changing question * Why promoting somebody is pointless unless you also build the support around them * The difference between holding a leadership title and actually leading * Why hospitality develops skills that transfer far beyond operations * Being told she was “not very good with data” * How AI removed the barrier between Hannah and the story inside the numbers * Creating Simon, her AI non-executive director * Building The Yellow Group as a collaborative people consultancy * Becoming a professional golfer and part-time influencer
Quotables“I did follow a boy.”
“I had everything, honestly. It was everything but a business plan.”
“At one point I realised I was wearing flip-flops - the two left feet ones.”
“There are managers, and there are people who are leaders by job role. But an actual leader? They’re not common.”
“I am the funniest thing that happens to me.”
Final ObservationHannah describes her career as a winding journey, but there is a wonderfully clear thread running through it.
Travel taught her to understand people. Hospitality taught her to support them. One excellent leader noticed what she did naturally and gave her the structure to build a career around it.
Now, Hannah is doing the same for businesses: finding the gaps between what they want to achieve and what their people actually need to succeed.
She may not believe in five-year plans, but she has built something far more useful - curiosity, adaptability and an apparently endless willingness to try the next interesting thing.
Even when that thing is golf.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
What happens when a morning person who dreams of opening a coffee shop joins forces with a night person who wants a cocktail bar?
Naturally, they rope in their chef mother, add a fiancé with experience in marketing and finance, and open a Greek Mediterranean restaurant together.
This is the story of Eirini Tamousi and Nectar: a family business that took four years, several false starts, disappearing investors and a last piece of finance arriving one day before the deadline to become real.
Then came opening week.
It was, by Eirini’s own account, chaos and in fact her words before we started the chat - "I don't even know where to start"
But amidst the chaos, It was also the beginning of something rather special.
We Cover
- Falling into hospitality while studying in Edinburgh
- Leaving the industry for corporate HR, and missing its energy
- Combining one family’s very different skills
- Trying repeatedly to secure the money to open Nectar
- Receiving the final finance one day before the deadline
- Protecting a family relationship while building a family business
- The danger of expecting people to know when you need help
- Opening a restaurant without a working fryer or grill
- Asking neighbouring businesses whether they had seen your bins
- Why honesty during a disaster can build customer loyalty
- Reaching more than 300 five star reviews in the first year
- Creating a restaurant that feels less like a venue and more like home
Quotables
“We were living it without actually knowing if it was going to work out.”
“People don’t know what’s in your head, funny enough. Unless you tell them.”
“You told me there’s no food, but I can have alcohol.”
“I didn’t know our bins were going to fly away.”
“The things that feel like big setbacks in the moment are quite often the things that shape you the most.”
Final Observation
There is a polished version of entrepreneurship in which somebody has a brilliant idea, raises the money, opens the doors and confidently begins building an empire.
This is not that story.
This is four people repeatedly questioning whether they should continue, learning how not to destroy their family under pressure, opening without the ability to serve food and searching the streets of Edinburgh for wind assisted bins.
But it is also a story about what happens when people keep choosing the thing they believe in.
Almost one year later, Nectar has become exactly what the family hoped it might be: warm, imperfect, honest and full of people who keep coming back.
Hopefully, by the time Phil visits, it will also have food.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud - the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
The story of the office that smells like itself
What do university ASBOs, Stash Monkey, Sarah Beeny, private equity cold calls and an office with its own recognisable smell have in common?
They all feature in the unconventional journey of Chris Davies, CEO of flexible office brand Uncommon.
Recorded inside Uncommon’s Fulham podcast studio, after Chris and Phil had already used up most of the good material during an hour-long pre-podcast chat, the conversation explores accidental entrepreneurship, yellow energy and the value of making decisions before certainty finally arrives.
Chris also invents the word “Un-Starbucks-ise,” reveals why his university time resulted in an actual legal threat and casually announces that he would eventually like to create a hotel brand.
Naturally, we made a note of that.
We Cover
- Why every Uncommon building looks different but somehow feels the same
- Recognising an office by its smell
- The university business that nearly earned Chris an institutional ASBO
- Being sued over the name Stash Monkey
- Why your dream investor should not receive your first-ever pitch
- Making decisions when you are only 51% certain
- The joy and danger of filling a business with yellow energy people
- Why a company is a team rather than a family
- Learning to manage the energy you bring into a room
- The hospitality stories that definitely cannot be shared publicly
- Saunas, ice baths and Chris’s future hotel ambitions
Quotables
“People need to think of time as a resource.”
“You kind of don’t want your best shot to be your first one.”
“We’re a team. We’re not a family.”
“People can be odd.”
“I like doing, in my personal life, as many reckless things as possible because I think it makes me feel alive.”
Final Observation
Uncommon began as a happy accident: a residential development that failed at planning and became an experiment in creating somewhere people might actually enjoy working.
But what followed was not accidental.
It took uncomfortable calls, imperfect pitches, wrong decisions, difficult conversations and a willingness to move while only 51% certain.
The result is a growing business with five distinctive locations, a strong hospitality instinct and an office brand that Phil can apparently identify with his nose before he has even reached reception.
Which is either excellent branding or the beginning of a very niche superpower.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
I'll be honest... this one is a little different.
For the first time in Hospitality Meets history, I sat down with a guest who didn't need a microphone, didn't ask for a coffee before we started, and definitely didn't have any travel expenses.
Instead, I had a conversation with ChatGPT.
What began as a bit of curiosity quickly turned into something much more interesting. Somewhere between jokes about "Chatty McChatface", philosophical debates about trust, and the bizarre reality that I was interviewing... well... nobody sitting opposite me... we found ourselves exploring one of the biggest questions of our generation.
Not what AI is.
But what it means for us.
Along the way we laughed, challenged each other, questioned what intelligence really means, and even discovered a brand new phrase...
"Digital adulthood."
Who knew?
In this episode we get into...
- Why the journey to AI actually began over 70 years ago.
- How a conversation about technology somehow became a conversation about humanity.
- Whether AI really has a sense of humour... or is just borrowing ours.
- Why trust is something AI should earn, not expect.
- The famous AI stories that went hilariously wrong (including the tank that turned out to be a cloud detector).
- Why AI isn't replacing thinking... but can become a brilliant thinking partner.
- What should genuinely concern us about AI... and what probably shouldn't.
- Whether Chatty McChatface is actually a respectable stage name.
(We're still undecided.)
Some cracking moments...
"I've processed billions of words... and somehow that's the nickname I end up with."
"I'd rather earn your trust question by question than ask for blind faith."
"Think of me as a very well-stocked library that talks back."
"The future isn't AI becoming human... it's humans getting better with AI."
"I said I don't have an ego... I didn't say I don't have standards."
Why this episode is worth your ears
This isn't an episode about technology.
It's an episode about curiosity.
About asking awkward questions.
About challenging assumptions.
About discovering that one of the most interesting conversations you can have about artificial intelligence is actually a conversation about... being human.
And yes...
I genuinely laughed far more than I expected to while interviewing something that technically doesn't laugh back.
Join the conversation
If you had one hour with an intelligence that knew a huge amount about the world...
...what would you ask?
Send me your questions.
Because this is only the beginning.
The AI Files are officially open.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
The Story of... The Angry Gardener
What do luxury hotels, practical jokes, Palm Beach, New York, Beijing, Japan, Hong Kong, a very angry gardener and a 30cm ruler have in common?
Yep, this week's guest Rory Slater, Managing Director for COMO Hotels in London.
And trust me...
Some of these stories are almost too good to be true.
Rory's journey started with a love of food, inspired by his mum's Cordon Bleu cooking, before joining the legendary Savoy Group management programme with dreams of becoming a chef.
Fast forward a few decades and that journey has taken him across four continents, some of the world's finest luxury hotels, and into leadership roles that have tested not only his skills, but his character.
In this episode we chat about:
- Why becoming a chef wasn't quite what he imagined
- Life on the legendary Savoy Group management programme
- Why everyone should spend time working night shifts
- Hospitality practical jokes, from soufflé pumps to spaghetti drying lines
- Running luxury events in Palm Beach
- Launching rooftop bars in New York
- Building a career across Beijing, Japan and Hong Kong
- Opening luxury hotels around the world
- Why choosing the right owners matters just as much as choosing the right company
- The role mentors have played throughout his career
- The unforgettable Easter egg hunt that was nearly destroyed by one very determined gardener
- Standing up for his team, even when it meant challenging someone incredibly powerful
Along the way we explore curiosity, leadership, resilience, culture, integrity and why some of life's greatest opportunities arrive wrapped up in uncertainty.
Of course, this episode is packed with the sort of stories that make Hospitality Meets... well... Hospitality Meets.
There's the night a woman was caught slipping business cards under hotel bedroom doors, leading to an unforgettable chase through the corridors... before Rory found himself lying flat on the carpet with a ruler and some sticky tape trying to retrieve every last card before guests woke up.
Then there's the Easter egg hunt.
Honestly... you'll never look at an Easter egg hunt in quite the same way again.
But beneath the laughter are some brilliant lessons too.
💭 "Take the opportunity when it comes."
💭 "You work for good owners."
💭 "Take your job seriously... but don't take yourself too seriously."
And perhaps the most powerful takeaway of all:
💭 "You look after your team."
Whether that's standing by your colleagues in difficult moments, embracing new cultures, or moving halfway around the world because an opportunity feels right, Rory's story is a wonderful reminder that great careers aren't always carefully mapped out.
Sometimes they're built through curiosity.
Sometimes through courage.
And occasionally...
Through surviving an angry gardener.
Funny, thoughtful and packed with wonderful stories from one of hospitality's true gentlemen.
Enjoy.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Six years ago, Robert Richardson joined me on Hospitality Meets for the very first time.
Back then, he was a hotel General Manager with a passion for people, wondering what the next chapter might look like.
Neither of us could have predicted what came next.
Fast forward six years, and Robert returns to the show as CEO of the Institute of Hospitality, leading a global professional body with more than 17,000 members, overseeing record membership growth, driving the Institute's Charter ambition, and helping shape the future of our industry.
It's amazing what can happen in six years.
In this episode we chat about:
- The leap from hotel General Manager to CEO
- Leading an organisation through unprecedented change
- Why the Institute is experiencing its strongest membership growth in years
- Championing professional development across hospitality
- The Youth Council and why the next generation matters more than ever
- The journey towards Chartered status
- Learning to overcome imposter syndrome and the fear of public speaking
- The stories we tell ourselves... and how they can hold us back
- Why leadership is about stewardship, not ownership
- The power (and pitfalls) of social media
- Building organisations where people genuinely feel they belong
Along the way we explore leadership, confidence, legacy, positivity, personal growth and why hospitality remains one of the greatest industries in the world for developing people.
Of course, this wouldn't be Hospitality Meets without a few memorable stories...
🤣 Accidentally being announced as the new CEO while being tagged as a completely different organisation on social media.
🤣 Rehearsing every speech exactly seven times before stepping onto a stage.
🤣 Seriously considering quitting on the morning of his first major keynote... before discovering the world didn't end after all.
And perhaps the most powerful moments of the conversation come when Robert steps away from the role of CEO and shares the experiences that have shaped him personally.
From the fear of receiving an urgent cancer referral that thankfully proved to be a false alarm, to speaking openly about the reality of living through an eight-year stalking ordeal, it's an honest reminder that leadership doesn't make us immune from life's challenges.
If anything, it simply means learning how to keep showing up in spite of them.
There are also some wonderful takeaways throughout the episode:
💭 "No one develops from a place of comfort."
💭 "You will always get an answer. You might not like the answer, but you'll always get an answer."
💭 "It's so easy to be positive and so lazy to be negative."
💭 "Be the voice for positivity."
More than anything, this is a conversation about growth.
Growth as a leader.
Growth as an organisation.
Growth as a person.
Six years ago, Robert joined me as a hotel General Manager.
Today, he returns leading one of hospitality's most respected organisations.
It's a wonderful reminder that careers aren't built overnight—they're built one opportunity, one uncomfortable moment, and one conversation at a time.
A thoughtful, honest and uplifting conversation with someone who continues to lead with humility, purpose and positivity.
Enjoy
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
What do a biochemist, a Chinese mansion house, Heathrow Airport, 250 burger restaurants, a pub turnaround, student accommodation, retirement living, and more than a few bottles of Mao Tai have in common?
This week's guest... Duncan Garrood.
And trust me...
You're going to want to hear this one.
Duncan's career began in a laboratory as a scientist with a PhD in Biochemistry.
It then took him through Unilever, a decade living in China, Heathrow Airport, the Middle East, Punch Taverns, Bill's Restaurants, family entertainment, student accommodation, and now Riverstone Living.
Most people spend a career trying to follow a plan.
Duncan spent his, basically just saying yes.
In this episode we chat about:
- Why a scientist decided business looked more interesting
- Being told on a Wednesday that he was moving to China on Sunday
- Living next door to 13 Chinese families in a former colonial mansion
- Putting Walls ice cream on the Great Wall of China
- The business lessons hidden inside industrial quantities of Mao Tai
- What airports can teach us about hospitality
- Why great service is often revealed when things go wrong
- Growing a business from $150 million to $1 billion
- Running out of cows whilst scaling Shake Shack
- Transforming Punch Taverns during one of the biggest shifts in pub legislation
- Reimagining Bill's Restaurants
- Using people, not capital, to drive growth in leisure
- Treating students like customers
- Why later living might be one of the most exciting sectors in hospitality today
Along the way we explore leadership, customer experience, entrepreneurship, curiosity, reinvention, and the power of saying yes to opportunities before you're entirely sure how they'll work out.
One of my favourite stories came from Duncan's time in China.
After fifteen dinners with a potential business partner, countless toasts, and enough Mao Tai to test the resilience of a small nation, the gentleman put his arm around him and declared:
You are my little brother."
Moments later, he passed out.
Business was secured.
As leadership lessons go, it's certainly more memorable than most MBA programmes.
There are also some absolute gems throughout the conversation:
💭 "We're not here to put years on your life, we're here to put life in your years."
💭 "If you don't take the opportunities when they come, the things you're missing out on are unknown."
And perhaps my favourite takeaway of all:
💭 "I've literally never regretted saying yes to any of these opportunities."
Because that's really what this episode is about.
Not airports.
Not pubs.
Not burgers.
Not retirement living.
It's about curiosity.
It's about adventure.
It's about having the courage to step into the unfamiliar.
And trusting that you'll figure the rest out along the way.
Funny, thoughtful, insightful and packed with stories.
A brilliant conversation with a man who's spent a lifetime proving that some of the best opportunities arrive disguised as uncertainty.
Enjoy
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
What do a kitchen porter, a Swedish adventure, a hotel fire, a freezing swimming pool, and the CEO of one of Britain's most iconic hotel groups have in common?
This week's guest is John Badley, CEO of Andrew Brownsword Hotels.
Today, John oversees a collection of some of the UK's most beautiful and historic hotels.
But his story starts somewhere much humbler.
A teenage job sweeping a car park for £10, a desperate desire to escape the cold, and a sister who eventually gave in and let him become a kitchen porter.
The rest, as they say, is history.
In this episode we chat about:
🧽 How a car park sweeping job became a lifelong hospitality career
🍽️ Starting as a KP and working his way through the kitchen ranks
⭐ The pursuit of rosettes and the lessons learned in fine dining
🇸🇪 Why a move to Sweden changed his perspective forever
👨🍳 The unusual role that saw him wearing chef whites and a three-piece suit at the same time
📈 The leadership lesson that came from being rejected for promotion
🔥 Managing one of hospitality's most devastating crises when a hotel was destroyed by fire
🏊 The infamous swimming pool experiment that taught a painful lesson about guest perception
🧭 Why every leader needs a North Star
🤝 The impact of mentors, including hospitality legend David Guile
💡 Why curiosity remains one of the most underrated leadership skills
🚀 How Andrew Brownsword Hotels is building for the future whilst protecting its remarkable heritage
Along the way we explore leadership, resilience, commerciality, culture, curiosity, and the extraordinary opportunities hospitality can provide for those willing to keep learning.
One of my favourite moments came when John shared the lesson that transformed his career.
After being repeatedly overlooked for promotion, he was finally told the reason:
"If we promote you, who's going to look after this kitchen?"
It was a difficult conversation at the time, but it taught him one of the most important leadership lessons of all:
Your success is measured not by what you can do, but by what your team can do without you.
Another standout moment came when discussing leadership and performance.
"Consistency beats intensity."
A simple phrase, but one that underpins John's entire approach to leadership, culture and long-term success.
There was also a wonderful reminder of the mindset that has carried him from kitchen porter to CEO:
"There's always something else I didn't know. So I wanted to go and learn it."
And perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the entire conversation:
"Make the mistake."
Not recklessly.
Not repeatedly.
But don't become so afraid of failure that you stop trying new things altogether.
There are also stories involving Swedish adventures, luxury hotels, thousands of firefighters, frozen swimming pools, and enough leadership wisdom to fill a management textbook.
Funny, thoughtful, honest and packed with practical lessons.
A brilliant conversation with one of hospitality's most grounded leaders.
Enjoy.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
What do dough balls, coffee, Covid crisis meetings, global expansion, and one very determined mum have in common?
This week's guest is Caroline Ottoy, Managing Director of WatchHouse.
Today, WatchHouse is one of the most exciting hospitality brands on the planet, with 29 locations across the UK, USA and Dubai, and ambitious plans to reach 100 sites globally over the next few years.
But Caroline's journey started in a very different place.
A teenager destined for a science degree, a year spent slightly losing her way, and a mum who effectively packed her bags and sent her to hospitality university whether she liked it or not.
Thankfully, she did.
In this episode we chat about:
- How an agricultural college accidentally launched a hospitality career
- Spending a year working in France and becoming fluent in French
- The early days of ASK and opening restaurants across the UK
- Living above the restaurant and learning hospitality the hard way
- The legendary Dough Ball Incident
- Growing brands from start up to national success
- The move from restaurants into Planet Organic
- Leading through Covid and creating daily "Cobra Meetings" to keep teams aligned
- Learning to step up when uncertainty is everywhere
- Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding confidence on stage
- The mentors, cheerleaders and leaders who changed her life
- Why EOS has become one of the most powerful tools behind WatchHouse's growth
- The ambitious journey to 100 WatchHouse locations worldwide
Some of my Favourite Quotables
"Visions are irrelevant without great people"
"Everything is about people. Everything"
"I was a really good waitress. I'm telling you now, I could handle a big section"
"We didn't really know what we were doing. We were just finding out as we went along"
Along the way we explore leadership, resilience, culture, friendship, hospitality careers, and the extraordinary impact great people can have on the direction of our lives.
One of my favourite moments came when Caroline reflected on receiving a message from a former team member years later, thanking her for the role she'd played in shaping his career and life.
It's a beautiful reminder that in hospitality, we often have a far bigger impact on people than we ever realise.
Funny, thoughtful, inspiring and packed with lessons for anyone building teams, leading people, or simply trying to figure things out as they go.
And yes...
There is a story involving enough dough balls to fill half of Bristol.
Enjoy.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
What do holiday parks, imposter syndrome, accidental career sabotage, and one of the UK's most respected hospitality leaders have in common?
This week's guest is Barrie Robinson, National Operations Director at Parkdean Resorts and Chair of the newly launched North Star Competitive Career Accelerator.
Barrie's journey into hospitality wasn't exactly traditional.
After lasting just six weeks at university ("reading newspapers and pretending to be a tree" wasn't quite the career path he'd envisioned), he started work as a glass collector in his local pub.
Fast forward a few decades and he's now responsible for operations across the UK's largest holiday park operator.
But the route between those two points is where things get interesting.
In this episode we chat about:
- Why hospitality might be the UK's best-kept career secret
- What makes holiday parks one of the most overlooked sectors in hospitality
- Turning a village pub from £500 a week into £6,000 a week
- The power of creating experiences rather than simply serving customers
- Living with imposter syndrome, even at senior leadership level
- The boss who became known as "Eff Off, Don't Answer"
- The unfortunate incident involving a new boss, several pints, and a train journey home
- Why great leaders allow people to fail safely
- How winning the ALMR Operations Manager of the Year award transformed Barrie's confidence forever
- The return of the North Star Competitive Career Accelerator and why it's set to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders
Along the way we explore leadership, community, career development, truth-telling, resilience, and why some of the most valuable lessons in hospitality come from the moments you'd rather forget.
Some Cracking Quotables
"Hospitality is one of the UK's best-kept career secrets."
"People don't come to work to do a bad job."
"If you trust the truth, it is always the right thing to do."
Barrie is thoughtful, honest, funny, and deeply passionate about helping people realise their potential.
And if nothing else, this episode contains one of the greatest leadership stories ever told involving an Audi A6.
Enjoy.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week I sat down with Jonny Bramwell, Regional Head of Operations for Rosa’s Thai — a man responsible for 22 restaurants, thousands of miles of motorway, and quite possibly the most unexpectedly philosophical conversation we’ve had on Hospitality Meets in a while.
What starts as a chat about pubs, restaurants and leadership quickly becomes a brilliant conversation about burnout, ambition, balance, accidental life lessons, and why sometimes the best thing that can happen to your career… is getting sacked from your first hospitality job.
There are stories of legendary £4.50 breakfasts, pub landlords who accidentally become life mentors, entrepreneurial chaos, brutal kitchen lessons, and one particularly wonderful moment involving a manager solving Phil’s chronic lateness problem with the revolutionary concept of… buying a second alarm clock.
Groundbreaking leadership.
Along the way, Jonny talks openly about the moments where hospitality nearly broke him, the dangers of arrogance disguised as ambition, and how learning to understand yourself is just as important as learning how to run a business.
It’s thoughtful, funny, honest, slightly chaotic at times… and packed full of gold.
In this episode, Jonny and I get into…
• Why a bike accident and a few days in hospital unexpectedly sparked a fascination with medicine
• Falling into hospitality almost by accident — and immediately becoming obsessed with food, drink and learning
• Getting fired from his very first hospitality job… then finding his career-changing mentor in the pub next door
• The magic of great pubs and why community operators still matter so much
• How the right leader at the right moment can completely change someone’s life
• Why hospitality relationships become so deep and enduring
• The difference between management and true leadership
• Burnout, arrogance, ambition and learning difficult lessons early in your career
• Why some jobs teach you more in one year than others teach in ten
• The brutal but brilliant education of kitchens and gastropub culture
• The changing role of modern operations leadership in hospitality
• Why coaching matters far more than fear
• Work-life balance… or just “balance” full stop
• How hospitality can become both your stress and your safe place at the same time
• Why being comfortable isn’t always a bad thing
• The importance of recognising what actually matters in your life before it’s too late
• The joy, madness and sheer unpredictability of hospitality careers
Some cracking quoteables from Jonny…
“If you enjoy food and drink, it’s probably a pretty good industry to be in.”
“I accidentally built roots in Reading.”
“The enemy of your enemy is your friend.”
“It’s a school of hard knocks.”
“You’re one great day away from having a crap day.”
“Hospitality became my place of joy.”
And perhaps the most important leadership breakthrough in modern history:
“If one alarm clock isn’t working… buy a second alarm clock.”
Revolutionary stuff.
Why this episode is worth your ears
This one feels incredibly human.
Yes, there’s loads in here about hospitality operations, leadership, career growth and team culture… but underneath all of that is a really honest conversation about figuring yourself out while trying to build a career at the same time.
Jonny speaks brilliantly about the moments where things didn’t go well, the leaders who shaped him, the mistakes that taught him the most, and how hospitality has evolved from old-school fear-based management into something far more people-focused.
It’s funny, reflective, occasionally chaotic, and full of the sort of stories that remind you why this industry gets under people’s skin in the first place.
Also…
Any episode featuring:
• Pub philosophy
• Angry chefs
• Ping pong bars
• A grammar school kid discovering kinaesthetic learning
• And the phrase “the avenue of arsehole is a two-way street”…
…was probably always going to be a good one.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud — the people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week I sat down with Adam Hamadache, founder of Formula and host of the Hotel Growth Podcast, a man who has spent the last 15 years helping hotels figure out how to grow in an industry that never seems to sit still for more than five minutes.
What followed was part hospitality strategy masterclass, part therapy session for modern business owners, and part beautifully chaotic conversation about AI, audience-less keynote speeches, and why hiring experts only to tell them exactly what to do might be “the definition of madness.”
From working in a shoe shop during school work experience while dreaming of hotels, to shouting orders on the grill in a Sydney restaurant kitchen overlooking the Opera House, Adam’s journey is full of sharp pivots, curiosity, and a relentless obsession with solving problems properly.
Along the way we get into the terrifying speed of AI, why hospitality still massively underuses its own data, what business owners can learn from bad football defending, and the deeply humbling experience of delivering a keynote presentation to an audience of… one.
And honestly?
The audience of one story alone is worth the price of admission (Which is free by the way)
In this episode, Adam and I get into…
• Why careers often evolve through curiosity rather than rigid planning
• How a failed hotel promotion model accidentally launched an entire hospitality marketing career
• The ongoing battle between hotels and OTAs, and why direct bookings still matter so much
• What operators misunderstand about marketing partnerships
• Why Formula made the bold decision to hire only highly experienced people
• The power of friction, challenge and healthy disagreement in great businesses
• Why “slow down to speed up” might be the most important business lesson of all
• The terrifying speed of AI and how search behaviour is fundamentally changing
• Why hospitality still isn’t using data and technology anywhere near its full potential
• How fear of being left behind can push businesses into bad tech decisions
• Why independent hoteliers often feel isolated when facing huge commercial challenges
• The thinking behind Adam’s new hospitality advisory board concept
And so much more.
Some cracking quote-ables from Adam…
“You don’t buy a dog and bark yourself”
“Search has changed more in the last 18 months than in the previous 18 years”
“You’ve got to slow down to speed up”
“The bold, harder decisions are often much less expensive than the easy decisions you choose to tolerate”
“Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is madness… but so is hiring experts and then telling them exactly how to do their job”
Why this episode is worth your ears
This is one of those conversations that goes way beyond marketing.
Yes, there’s loads in here about AI, growth strategy, technology, customer behaviour and the future of hospitality… but underneath all of that is a really thoughtful conversation about leadership, humility, evolution and the importance of staying curious when the world feels like it’s changing at breakneck speed.
Adam’s honesty around business ownership, difficult decisions, and learning to pause before reacting makes this one feel incredibly grounded and real.
It’s also reassuringly human.
Because sometimes even successful keynote speakers end up presenting to one confused bloke in a conference room.
And somehow…
that might actually be the perfect metaphor for modern business.
Show Partner
A big shout out to today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform built specifically for shift based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes, all from one simple, web-based app.
It also makes life easier for teams, allowing staff to check rotas, request holiday, and pick up extra shifts directly from their phones.
To find out more, head to RotaCloud
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with Gareth Rees, and this is one of those conversations that feels properly important.
Not just for hospitality… but for how we think about people, performance, and what “doing a good job” actually means
Gareth now runs ADHospitalityD, with a mission to educate the industry on neurodiversity, breaking down misconceptions, supporting individuals, and helping businesses create environments where people can genuinely thrive.
But his story starts where many of ours do…
On the floor
In this episode, Gareth and I get into…
- Growing up in hospitality with both parents in the industry
- Falling in love with the buzz (and chaos) of a busy service at a young age
- Originally planning a career in sports… before hospitality pulled him back in
- Working his way through the industry via the Exclusive Collection grad scheme
- Why understanding the full guest journey matters in leadership
- Stepping into a Head of Department role, and suddenly hitting a wall
- The shift from doing the job to enabling others to do it
- Struggling with admin, pressure, and expectations, despite loving the industry
- Discovering ADHD later in life and what that explained
- The concept of interest-based vs importance-based nervous systems (game-changer 👀)
- Why traditional productivity advice doesn’t work for everyone
- Adjusting ways of working to suit how your brain actually functions
- And ultimately… turning that experience into a mission to support others
Some cracking quote-ables from Gareth
“We need to value the strengths, but appreciate the struggles”
“I wasn’t failing… I just hadn’t been set up in a way that worked for me”
“At Head of Department level, your output changes, and that’s where it hit me”
“I could do the job… but I couldn’t do it the way everyone else expected”
“You don’t ‘fix’ this, you learn how to work with it”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you lead people… this one matters
Because it challenges a lot of assumptions we make about:
- Productivity
- Performance
- Communication
- And what “good” looks like at work
Gareth’s story is a powerful reminder that not everyone operates the same way, and that’s not a weakness.
In fact, when you understand it properly?
It can be a huge strength
And for an industry built on people…
That’s something we can’t afford to ignore.
Contact Gareth through his website at https://adhospitalityd.com/ or Instagram
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with another Phil, that being Phil Andreopoulos, CEO of YOTEL, for a conversation that starts with washing pots in restaurants… and somehow ends with power naps, gorilla trekking, hotel disruption and leadership philosophy.
Inspired by a first class airline cabin and created by the founder of YO! Sushi, YOTEL has always challenged the “that’s just how hotels work” mentality, and this episode dives into exactly why.
Along the way, the two Phils discuss:
- Why understanding your own energy patterns might be one of the most underrated leadership skills around
- The importance of healthy friction in teams
- Building cultures that aren’t just clones of the leader
- Why communication matters most when uncertainty is highest
- The reality of navigating major business change
- Why hospitality still offers one of the greatest careers in the world
- And why getting promoted from pots and pans to plates and glasses once felt like a massive career breakthrough 😂
There’s also loads of brilliant insight around leadership, culture, growth and vision, without ever disappearing too far up its own backside.
Phil Andreopoulos speaks openly about:
- Growing through the hospitality industry
- His journey from kitchen porter to CEO
- Building franchise growth across global hotel brands
- The recent Hilton partnership with YOTEL
- Why “fun at work” matters more than people think
- And the importance of creating environments where people actually want to be
Some standout quotes from the episode:
“Knowing yourself is a hugely underrated leadership skill”
“If you leave gaps in communication, people will fill them”
“We spend a huge amount of our lives at work. It should be successful… but it should also be fun”
“You don’t build great teams by hiring people exactly like you”
“Hospitality is one of the greatest industries in the world… and I still don’t think we tell that story well enough”
There’s wisdom in this one.
There’s humour in this one.
There’s also a genuinely fascinating story about how a first-class airline seat accidentally became a hotel concept.
Classic hospitality really. Somebody looked at a plane seat and thought:
“…yeah, but what if we put a shower next to it?” 😂
Enjoy.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with the brilliant Guy Freedman, Hotel Director at The Pig & The Pig in the Wall, and honestly, this one felt like a giant exhale.
A conversation about leadership, yes.
Culture, absolutely.
But also… naked guests, rogue deer, flood rescues in a Land Rover, student days in a fudge kitchen, and why maybe fun has been unfairly underestimated as a serious business strategy.
Guy’s journey, from a self-confessed chatty teenager being redirected out of the kitchen and into front of house, to Hotel Director at The Pig - is packed with warmth, mischief, humility and some beautifully simple thinking about what makes hospitality…well... hospitality.
In this episode, Guy and I get into…
- How a careers adviser effectively turned “I like eating and drinking” into a career path 😅
- Why his kitchen career lasted roughly three weeks
- Student jobs in fudge kitchens, pot washing and night cleaning, and why every odd job teaches you something
- Falling for The Pig over a hungover lunch… then resigning before he even had the job
- Why great hospitality businesses recruit personality first, train skill second
- Growing through the ranks at The Pig and opening a hotel just in time for COVID (timing 👀)
- Why fun at work isn’t fluff, it’s culture
- Turning staffing shortages into team challenges, not team stress
- The now-legendary flood day
- Why adversity often creates the best guest experiences
- Working nights in London and the surprisingly frequent issue of naked guests locking themselves out of rooms
- Rogue animals, escaped deer, wandering bullocks… and the operational realities no hotel school prepares you for
Some cracking quote-ables from Guy
“We’ve always recruited personality.”
“I got to play at those hotels”
“If we can make it fun, people want to come to work”
“Don’t take a step back”
“There’s always adversity in this industry… so you may as well have fun with it”
“It’s only work” (which somehow sounded profound in context)
🎧 Why this episode is worth your ears
This one is a brilliant reminder that hospitality doesn’t have to choose between performance and joy.
You can be serious about standards…
and still be playful.
You can lead through pressure…
and still laugh.
And maybe, just maybe, the teams that have the most fun are often the teams that perform the best.
There’s loads in here about leadership, culture and community… but also some glorious stories that remind you why so many of us fell in love with this industry in the first place.
And honestly?
Any episode featuring fudge, floods and naked guests was always going to be worth a listen.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with the brilliant Basel Jabri, and this one’s got everything.
Global upbringing, accidental career pivots, iconic hotel brands, and a journey that goes from literally steering boats in Dubai… to leading people & culture across a luxury London hotel group.
And the best bit?
It all started with a dream that didn’t happen.
In this episode, Basel and I get into…
- Growing up internationally thanks to his father’s career in aviation
- Why he originally wanted to be a pilot, and how 9/11 changed that path overnight
- Falling into hospitality… and grabbing the opportunity without overthinking it
- Moving to Dubai at 21 and stepping into one of the most iconic hospitality boom periods
- Starting out in guest relations (and unexpectedly managing boat transfers 😅)
- The power of saying yes to opportunities, even when they’re not what you expected
- Moving into training and HR… and discovering a passion for people development
- Leading teams at just 25, and the reality of responsibility hitting fast
- Working across some of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands: Jumeirah, Shangri-La, Raffles, Rotana, Hyatt, Meliá, Hilton
- Experiencing hospitality across cultures - and why Dubai feels like the “United Nations” of the industry
Some cracking quote-ables from Basel
“I didn’t choose hospitality… it chose me”
“I grabbed the opportunity, I didn’t wait for the perfect plan”
“At 25, your signature suddenly means something”
“Dubai showed me the world before I ever travelled it”
“You need to say yes first… and figure it out after”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you’ve ever felt like your career didn’t go to plan…
Good.
Because Basel’s story is a brilliant reminder that sometimes the best paths are the ones you didn’t intend to take.
There’s also a huge amount in here around:
- Leadership at a young age
- Learning through experience (not titles)
- Building confidence in completely new environments
- And why people & culture should sit at the heart of hospitality
Plus… more than a few stories you don’t hear every day
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with the brilliant Newton Fernandes - and this is one of those conversations that reminds you just how non-linear careers in hospitality can be.
From starting out as a journalist, to working in airline reservations, to quite literally being invited across the road into a hotel career… Newton’s journey spans continents, cultures, and some seriously big roles.
We’re talking global brand, marketing, and communications at a scale that’s hard to get your head around, but always grounded in one thing: understanding people.
In this episode, Newton and I get into…
- Growing up across the Middle East, India, and Europe, and how that shaped his worldview
- Starting out in journalism and developing a love for storytelling
- Moving into American Airlines… and then being recruited into hospitality by a hotel GM across the street
- Why travel, tourism, and hospitality are one industry (and should act like it)
- The reality of working in different cultures, and why curiosity beats assumption every time
- Moving to London and adapting to a completely different way of working
- Starting at the “bottom” in PR & marketing, and why that foundation matters
- Managing brand and marketing across 450 hotels, 12 brands, and 33 countries
- Why structure, training, and community are essential at scale
- Moving to Marriott and navigating the world of franchise vs managed hotels
- Helping independent hotels plug into global brands without losing their identity
Some cracking quote-ables from Newton
“I didn’t move into hospitality… I was invited into it”
“Travel and hospitality are not separate industries, they’re one”
“You can’t understand a hotel brand unless you’ve seen it on the ground”
“Curiosity is more important than assumption”
“The way you work in one country won’t work in another, you have to adapt”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you’ve ever thought your career path is a bit all over the place… good.
Newton’s story is proof that the most interesting careers are built through curiosity, opportunity, and saying yes to things you didn’t plan.
There’s also a ton in here around leadership at scale, how you manage people, brand, and culture across different countries, different expectations, and different ways of working.
And a reminder that in a global industry like ours…
Understanding people is everything
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with the brilliant Dawn Lister - and honestly, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get someone from the world of sales on the show.
And what an introduction to it this was.
From wanting to be an air stewardess at 10 years old, to building a 20+ year career in hotel sales, Dawn’s journey is packed with graft, growth, resilience… and a lot of persistence (some might call it “relentless follow-up” 😅).
Now Sales Director for B&B Hotels UK, Dawn brings a no-nonsense, people-first approach to an area of hospitality that often gets misunderstood, and massively underestimated.
In this episode, Dawn and I get into…
- How a childhood dream of travel turned into a lifelong career in hospitality
- Starting in conference & banqueting… and quickly being moved out of it 😅
- Falling in love with sales (mainly by talking too much at coffee breaks)
- Why she didn’t go to university - and built her career through doing instead
- The importance of early mentors (and learning under “formidable” leadership)
- Being told to stop calling people so much… and why persistence still wins
- The reality of sales: rejection, resilience, and finding the right fit
- Leading with a “people first” mindset - both with customers and teams
- Why hospitality sales isn’t about the product… it’s about the experience
Some cracking quote-ables from Dawn
“Revenue isn’t revenue until it’s banked”
“Hope is not a strategy” (Dammit)
“If you’re not the right fit, that’s fine, but let’s have the conversation first”
“We’re all selling similar products… the difference is how you make people feel”
“Some people told me to stop calling… those are the ones I enjoyed winning the most”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you’ve ever worked in sales, or been on the receiving end of it, this one’s for you.
Dawn strips it right back to what great sales actually is:
curiosity, conversation, and care.
There’s no fluff here. Just real insight into what it takes to build relationships, handle rejection, and lead teams in a world where everyone’s selling something similar.
And if nothing else… you’ll never look at a follow-up call the same way again
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with the brilliant Paul Hunter, and after nearly a year of trying to make it happen, we finally got the conversation in the can.
And it was worth the wait.
From early days in hospitality (and admittedly being a “bit of a mischievous lad”) to launching hotels across London, navigating redundancy during COVID with twin new borns, and now stepping into a brand new luxury estate role back in Yorkshire… Paul’s journey is packed with honesty, resilience, and a proper appreciation for the twists life throws your way.
We talk about growth, mistakes, leadership, and why sometimes the plan you had isn’t the one you end up living, and that’s exactly where the magic happens.
In this episode, Paul and I get into…
- His early entry into hospitality through weekend jobs and how it quietly became a career
- The “cheeky chappy” phase… and the moment his brother told him to go to London and grow up
- Learning the craft of hotels with Premier Inn, and why fundamentals matter more than flash
- Launching multiple hotels across London and what that teaches you about scale and standards
- Winning an Acorn Award and how that opened his eyes to a bigger world beyond his role
- Managing three different hotel brands in Leicester Square (and juggling three ways of working at once)
- The brutal reality of COVID redundancy with a young family, and navigating uncertainty
- Relocating back to Yorkshire and rebuilding from the ground up
- Launching GuestHouse Hotels’ No.1 York and building something from scratch
- The power of giving people second chances, including working with prison rehabilitation programmes
- Why mistakes aren’t failures, they’re proof you’re actually pushing yourself
Some cracking quoteables from Paul
“You can have a plan… and then something comes along and completely changes it”
“I think that’s where I learned hotels”
“Mistakes aren’t bad things, they just mean you tried something different”
“If you’re not making mistakes, you’re probably playing it too safe”
“Life’s about making mistakes… as long as you learn from them”
“You don’t get that level of success without being great at what you do”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you’ve ever felt like your career hasn’t gone in a straight line… good. That’s exactly the point.
Paul’s story is a brilliant reminder that growth often comes from the unexpected, whether that’s a tough boss, a redundancy, a relocation, or just saying yes to a conversation you didn’t see coming.
There’s loads in here about leadership, resilience, and the importance of early opportunities in shaping careers, especially in hospitality.
Whether you’re just starting out or leading teams of your own, this one will give you a fresh perspective on what progress actually looks like.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week I sat down with the brilliant Gemma Glasson, Managing Director of Wahaca and one of those leaders whose journey reminds you that careers rarely move in straight lines… and thank God for that.
From starting out in the world of KPMG and Ernst & Young, to stepping into hospitality with a desire to have more impact, more energy, and a bit more colour in her working life, Gemma’s story is packed with intelligence, curiosity, self awareness, and the kind of warmth that makes you understand very quickly why she’s ended up where she is.
Along the way there are some absolute gems… including a debate on whether salt and vinegar crisps should be blue or pink, a trained accountant being completely undone by coins at a school bake sale, and a glorious story from Mexico involving mezcal, a brass band, and a firework bull ending up on Thomasina Miers’ head.
Standard!
But underneath the laughs is something deeper, a conversation about finding work that actually fits who you are, leading with both structure and energy, and why hospitality only really works when you remember it’s a people business first.
In this episode, Gemma and I get into…
• Starting out in accountancy and why big professional service firms can give you an incredible foundation
• The moment she realised she was leaving part of herself, her “yellow energy”, on the table
• Moving into Wahaca and being told, essentially, to come in and get stuff done
• Why entrepreneurial energy and structured execution can be a brilliant combination
• Growing through the business from commercial roles to food, COO and now Managing Director
• What it means to help lead a much-loved British restaurant brand as it turns 18
• Why hospitality is equal parts exhausting and exhilarating
• How Wahaca thinks about people, guest experience and profit, and why that order matters
• The power of pride in creating consistency, care and brilliant guest experiences
• Building authentic brand partnerships with Attis, Dusty Knuckle and local bakeries around the UK
• The role curiosity plays in building culture, collaboration and better ideas
• Why understanding personality types can improve leadership, communication and team dynamics
• How to deal with uncomfortable conversations before they become bigger problems
• Why fun is not the opposite of seriousness — it might actually be one of the best ways to get serious things done
Some cracking quote-ables from Gemma
“You have to take ownership of your own positivity”
“We are a people business who just happen to serve food and drink.”
“Get rid of the sand”
“Know the difference between what you know and what you think you know”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether the career path you’re on really fits who you are… this one will hit home.
Gemma’s story is a brilliant reminder that leadership doesn’t have to look one certain way, and that some of the best careers are built when you stop trying to fit the mould and start understanding what actually energises you.
It’s also a cracking conversation about brand, culture, people, hospitality, and the magic that happens when you combine structure with curiosity.
And if nothing else…
Come for the leadership wisdom.
Stay for the flaming bull in Mexico.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
What do you get when an introvert ends up running one of the most iconic hospitality resorts in the country?
A very good reminder that the loudest person in the room isn’t always the best leader
This week, after what feels like about 17 years of trying to line up diaries, I finally sat down with the legend that is Chris Eigelaar, Managing Director of The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
Now, if you know The Belfry, you’ll know it’s not exactly a sleepy little B&B with a bowl of mints on reception.
We’re talking world famous golf, huge events, 468 bedrooms, 1,100+ team members, a £90m transformation, and the kind of sporting history that makes golf fans go a bit weak at the knees.
And yet, underneath all of that, Chris is one of the most grounded, thoughtful leaders you could hope to meet.
We talk about growing up in hotels in South Africa, arriving in London with a thousand quid and a return ticket, learning that he was a much better front of house operator than chef… and why understanding yourself might be one of the most important things you ever do in leadership.
Also, yes, there is a story involving a documentary, a fake power cut, and a perfectly timed on camera jump.
Which is, obviously, exactly the sort of thing I’m here for.
In this episode, Chris and I get into…
• Growing up in a hotel family, where hospitality was basically in the wallpaper
• His dad giving him two career options: the Navy… or hospitality
• Starting out wanting to be a chef before being politely redirected elsewhere
• Moving to London with £1,000, traveller’s cheques, and vibes
• Picking up whatever work he could get, including some wonderfully random shifts
• Helping open the Sofitel St James and building his early career in luxury hospitality
• Why he briefly left hotels… then realised he missed the madness
• Landing at The Belfry and leading one of the most iconic resorts in the UK
• What it really takes to deliver a £90m investment programme in a live business
• Why he believes in a flat structure, open doors, and walking the floor
• Learning not to force yourself into someone else’s leadership mould
• Why being an introvert in hospitality is not a weakness
• The power of good mentors… and the lessons bad ones teach you too
• Resilience, togetherness, and what tough moments reveal about teams
• Why one great golf shot is enough to make you think you’re Tiger Woods for 3 seconds
Some cracking quotes from Chris
“Hospitality chooses you”
“Just be comfortable with yourself”
“My role is to remove barriers so people can do their jobs”
“There’s no right or wrong leadership style, it’s how you use it”
“If one person does it, everybody does it, that’s hospitality”
Why this episode is worth your ears
This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit the “standard” idea of what a hospitality leader is supposed to look like.
Chris is proof that you don’t need to be the biggest voice in the room.
You don’t need to be all jazz hands and noise (Sorry, I'll tone it down... I won't)
You just need to know your people, know yourself, and create the sort of environment where others can do their best work.
Also, if you fancy a bit of behind-the-scenes Belfry brilliance, leadership wisdom, golf chat, and a story about jumping away from an electrical unit on camera…
You’re in very safe hands.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Show your support for Hospitality Sector Letter to the Chancellor
What happens when two people who love a bit of unstructured behaviour get together for a structured conversation?
The answer?
Lots of unstructured conversation
This week I sat down with Conrad Brunton, founder of Tonic Talent, passionate hospitality advocate, charity champion, networking powerhouse… and a man who clearly believes that if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it properly.
Before we get into his journey. Conrad is seeking your help. If you have even a tiny sliver of love for Hospitality, please follow the link at the top of the page and put your name to support his open letter to the chancellor
To his story, From washing pots at 14, to running the best fish and chip shop in England (Genuinely), to bankruptcy, to building a respected recruitment business and one of the Midlands’ most influential hospitality networks, Conrad’s story is packed with resilience, humour, honesty, and a few brilliant war stories.
Including… dropping a potato down the shirt of a senior British politician just before he went on stage
Yes. That actually happened.
But underneath the laughs is a deeper conversation about pride in your work, why hospitality people are wired differently, and the importance of standing up for an industry that so many of us love.
In this episode, Conrad and I get into…
• Starting in hospitality at 14 as a KP and discovering the “buzz” of kitchens
• The concept of restaurants being “a cockroach in the bloodstream” (credit: Sir Terence Conran)
• Working at incredible places like Simpsons, Malmaison and the Fat Duck
• Opening a fish and chip shop, and eventually being named the best in England
• What bankruptcy really teaches you about resilience and self-belief
• Why recruitment is really about conversations, not CVs
• Building Tonic Talent, now celebrating 10 years in hospitality recruitment
• Why great recruiters should feel like an extension of your brand
• The importance of culture, accountability, and simple things like a good checklist
• The incredible power of hospitality communities and networks
• Why the industry needs to stand up for itself right now more than ever
Some cracking quoteables from Conrad
“Restaurants are like a cockroach in the bloodstream, once it’s there, it never leaves”
“If you’re going to do something, do it to the absolute best of your ability”
“I don’t actually like recruitment… I like the conversations”
“Treat people the way you’d want to be treated, it’s not complicated”
“Hospitality people love what they do. Not many industries can say that”
Why this episode is worth your ears
Conrad’s journey is a brilliant reminder that hospitality careers are rarely straight lines.
They’re messy.
They’re unpredictable.
Sometimes they knock you flat.
But if hospitality gets into your bloodstream…
You tend to find your way back.
And along the way you might build something pretty special.
Just try not to drop a potato down anyone’s shirt.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week I sat down with the brilliant Ella de Beer co-founder of Electric Mayonnaise and one of those hospitality people whose career reminds you just how brilliantly unpredictable this industry can be.
From waitressing at 14 in South Africa (while telling everyone she was 16… obviously), to opening restaurants, running pubs, building multi-site businesses, leading people functions at brands like Ottolenghi & MJMK and now helping shape the next generation of hospitality leaders, Ella’s story is packed with graft, curiosity, and a healthy dose of “why not give that a go?”
Along the way there are some absolute hospitality gems… including the moment she handed Leonardo DiCaprio chicken on a stick, worked 3am Soho finishes fuelled by “Chinese tea” and helped open a 300 cover restaurant just as the financial crash hit. Ideal timing.
But underneath the brilliant stories is something deeper, a conversation about the power of hospitality as a career, the importance of learning by doing, and why developing people might just be the most important job our industry has.
In this episode, Ella and I get into…
• Starting in hospitality at 14 and discovering confidence through people
• Moving from South Africa to the Netherlands (and learning Dutch while running a restaurant)
• The chaos, glamour and 600-cover Saturdays of Soho hospitality in the early 2000s
• Why big volume restaurants teach you lessons you never forget
• The moment a 300-seat opening met the global financial crash
• What London operators learn the hard way when they buy countryside pubs
• Building "Sourced Market" at St Pancras and what happens when 1,500 small suppliers meet train station footfall
• Moving from operations into people leadership, and why ops experience changes everything
• The unique magic (and slightly chaotic brilliance) of working at Ottolenghi
• Why hospitality might be the best industry in the world for social mobility
• How Electric Mayonnaise is rethinking hospitality education through apprenticeships
• And why learning in hospitality should always be practical, human, and immediately useful
Some cracking quote-ables from Ella
“Hospitality is where I found my confidence”
“You could stand behind the till at St Pancras for eight hours and never stop serving”
“Hospitality has to be taught by people who’ve actually done it”
“We’re just teaching the way we all learned, by doing the job”
“Our responsibility is to show young people this industry can be a real career”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you’ve ever started in hospitality with no real plan… and somehow found yourself building a career along the way, this episode will feel very familiar.
Ella’s story is a brilliant reminder that hospitality isn’t just about service or restaurants.
It’s about confidence, opportunity, learning on the job, and giving people a chance to grow into something bigger than they thought possible.
And if that doesn’t make you proud to be in hospitality…
You might be in the wrong trade
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Still Building
Born in a hotel, thrown out of university
Built the UK’s biggest hospitality recruitment business, Lost control of it, Lost his driving licence, Broke his back.
You'd think this was a lesson in how not to do it?
But far from it!
This week on Hospitality Meets, I sit down with Roddy Watt, recruitment pioneer, hotel strategist, owner of one almighty black book and living proof that setbacks are not full stops, they’re commas.
In This Episode
- Why most careers start by accident
- “Aim at nothing and you’ll hit it” (a dartboard life lesson)
- Building a 200 person recruitment empire
- What happens when venture capital meets optimism
- The week that tested everything
- Why attitude beats experience
- Why high performers don’t get a free pass
- Relaunching again… because why not?
Built. Lost. Still Building
Roddy helped shape hospitality recruitment in the UK.
15 offices.
Hundreds of consultants.
Market leader.
Then came the flotation.
The numbers.
The pressure.
The reality check.
And a particularly memorable week involving:
• Losing his company
• Losing his driving licence
• Falling off a horse and breaking his back
His summary?
“That was a week.”
No violin music. Just perspective.
And learning that sometimes your worst week becomes the beginning of your next chapter.
This episode is funny, honest, slightly outrageous in places, and packed with lessons you only get from someone who’s been around the block a few times
🎧 Listen now: https://linktr.ee/Hospmeetspod
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
From Baptism of Fire to Michelin Leadership
This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Douglas Balish - Executive Chef and Director at Grove of Narberth, Hotel Chef of the Year, and a man shaped by some of the toughest kitchens in the business.
From washing dishes in Ayrshire…
To getting “pans thrown at his head”
To learning to run in kitchens where nobody walked…
To leading his own Michelin starred brigade
And all of the lessons that come with that
This is a candid episode about pressure, humility, growth — and the fine line between breaking someone and building them.
In This Episode
- Starting out as a 15 year old dishwasher in Scotland
- Walking away from university to chase kitchens instead
- The brutal reality of early Michelin kitchens
- Why some pressure builds you, and some destroys you
- Taking demotions to grow faster
- Working at Bohemia and being completely out of his depth
- The intensity of Whatley Manor
- Moving to Australia to work at Quay
- Why leadership is not one size fits all
- Creating dishes when nobody’s ever let you create before
Baptism of Fire
Douglas doesn’t sugarcoat it. His early Michelin experience was brutal.
80-hour weeks.
Staff accommodation from hell.
Being told he was useless.
Working until nothing fazed him.
And yet, he doesn’t look back with bitterness.
He looks back with perspective.
Because for him, that pressure didn’t break him.
It sharpened him.
Not because bullying is good (Obviously) but because understanding why something is happening matters
The Psychology of Kitchens
There’s a fascinating thread in this episode. Douglas nearly studied psychology. Instead, he learned it in kitchens.
He talks openly about:
- Realising he wasn’t as good as he thought
- Being publicly humbled
- Being dropped down the ranks
- Taking ownership instead of walking away
And most importantly, how that shaped the leader he is today.
He’s clear:
Management isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Some chefs need an arm around them.
Some need structure.
Some need challenge.
The job is knowing the difference.
From Scotland to Sydney
His journey takes him through:
- Jersey
- The Cotswolds
- Australia
- Back to the UK to run his own restaurant
At Quay, he experienced world stage dining, huge covers, relentless precision, global recognition.
At smaller, creative restaurants, he discovered something else:
The kitchen has to suit the chef.
Because even talent struggles in the wrong environment.
Leadership Now
Today, at Grove of Narberth, Douglas does things differently.
Yes, standards are high.
Yes, precision matters.
But:
- Young chefs are encouraged to create
- Ideas are tested safely
- Feedback is constructive
- Growth is intentional
Because he remembers what it felt like to be thrown in without support.
And he’s determined to build strength, not just resilience.
Stand-Out Reflection
“At some point you’ve got to become head chef”
"And when you do — you’d better know who you are"
This episode is honest, Unfiltered, and full of insight for anyone leading teams under pressure
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Building a Regenerative Farm Stay
This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Caitlin Owens, Managing Director and co-owner of Fowlescombe Farm, a luxury farm stay in Devon built on regenerative farming principles.
What started as a family meat farm became a pub
What started as a consulting career became a hospitality adventure.
What started as “how hard can it be?” became… chlorine spraying out of beer lines.
This episode is about naivety, chaos, regenerative farming, and why hospitality might just be the most beautifully human industry of them all.
In This Episode
- Quitting consultancy during lockdown to learn hospitality in Switzerland
- Running a pub during the wild summer of 2021
- The science (and danger) of cleaning beer lines
- Why hospitality operates permanently on the edge of chaos
- What consulting really taught her (hint: it’s not insurance maths)
- Bringing regenerative farming into luxury hospitality
- Why “low choice, high quality” beats endless options
- The rise of the farm stay experience
- Describing humanity to a Martian (yes, really)
From Farm to Fork, For Real
Fowlscombe isn’t just “farm to table” as a marketing line
The farm is regenerative
The soil health is measured
Animals fertilise the land naturally
Monoculture is avoided
The hospitality exists because of the land, not the other way around
Chaos, Sheep & Beer Showers
Running the family pub (The Millbrook) during post-lockdown mania meant:
- Chlorine explosions in the cellar
- Smelling permanently of ale
- A sheep on a lead turning up for the village nativity
- A horse tied to the drainpipe while the chef fed it carrots
Skills from “Outside” Hospitality
Caitlin didn’t climb the traditional hospitality ladder.
Her background in consultancy gave her:
- Structured thinking
- Clear communication
- Confidence with tech providers
- The ability to not be messed around by suppliers
A reminder that hospitality doesn’t need to be a closed shop.
Different backgrounds make stronger teams.
Regenerative Hospitality
For Caitlin, sustainability isn’t just environmental.
It’s about:
- Less waste
- Fewer food miles
- Lower choice, higher quality
- Doing less, but doing it exceptionally well
You won’t find 24-hour room service and 200 menu options.
You’ll find five carefully chosen cocktails.
One menu per day.
Ingredients picked from the garden.
Intentional. Grounded. Memorable.
Standout Line
“Hospitality operates on the edge of chaos. The critical success factor is staying on the right side of it”
This is an episode about:
Taking risks.
Backing instinct.
Building something rooted in the land.
And discovering that sometimes, the best leadership inspiration comes from Ted Lasso.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Why Understanding Drives Performance
This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil is joined by Will Fraser, co-founder of Pineapple, founder of 100 & First, and former professional rugby player.
What begins as a conversation about people data quickly becomes something deeper, a clear eyed look at why teams struggle, why talent alone isn’t enough, and why most performance problems come down to misunderstanding, not ability.
This is a calm, thoughtful episode about clarity, context, and why better conversations beat better strategies.
In This Episode
- Why performance is a by-product, not something you can force
- The difference between thinking you know something and actually knowing it
- Why misunderstanding (not laziness) drives most workplace issues
- What elite sport gets right about teams that business often gets wrong
- The hidden cost of constant change and short term thinking
- Why stability can be a genuine competitive advantage
- How people data should start conversations, not end them
From Elite Sport to Hospitality
Will’s thinking was shaped during his time at Saracens, where a strong focus on people and culture transformed performance under pressure.
After injury ended his playing career, Will began applying those lessons in business, and quickly noticed a gap between how elite teams operate and how most organisations try to drive results.
The biggest difference?
Shared understanding
What the Data Shows
Through Pineapple, Will now works with hospitality businesses to understand patterns around:
- Attrition
- Internal progression
- Team stability
One consistent insight stands out:
Greater stability and internal progression = lower turnover.
Simple. Powerful. Rarely acted on.
The Talent Myth
Will challenges the idea that great performers can simply be “moved” and expected to thrive.
Drawing on examples from football, including Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, he explains why performance is often owned by the system, not just the individual.
Change the context, and performance usually dips.
Stand-Out Thoughts
- “Most performance problems aren’t competence problems — they’re understanding problems”
- “If you think something rather than know it, you haven’t had the conversation”
- “Stability, not constant change, is often the real advantage”
Why Listen
This episode is for anyone who has:
- Seen good people struggle in new roles
- Felt pressure to change something without clarity on what
- Wondered why common sense is so rarely common practice
It’s a reminder that teams don’t fail because they don’t care, they fail because they don’t understand.
And understanding only comes from time, clarity, and conversation.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Prepare. To. Be. Happy.
Returning to Hospitality Meets, Klaudia Mitura - work psychologist, L&D leader at the Science Museum Group, host of The Happiness Challenge podcast, author of The Alphabet of Happiness, and an actual Certified Chief Happiness Officer (yes, really) delivers one of the most uplifting, honest, and quietly powerful conversations we’ve ever recorded.
This episode is not about toxic positivity, pretending everything’s fine, or slapping a smile on life’s messier moments.
It’s about science backed happiness, micro habits, curiosity, resilience, and learning how to live with the noise in your head - not silence it.
It’s warm.
It’s funny.
It’s deeply human.
And it might just change how you think about happiness altogether.
In This Episode
- Klaudia’s return to the podcast nearly four years on, and how life has unfolded since
- Losing a job, being separated from family, rescheduling a wedding four times, a family cancer diagnosis… and why happiness still mattered
- Why Klaudia decided to treat her life like a scientific experiment
- What the science of happiness actually tells us
- Why happiness isn’t a destination - it’s a starting point
- The power of micro-habits and why 1% changes beat life overhauls
- Why happiness fuels kindness, generosity, optimism and impact
- The danger of “I’ll be happy when…” thinking
- Why curiosity might be the most underrated life skill of all
Happiness, But Not the Cringey Kind
Klaudia is very clear on one thing:
This is not about toxic positivity.
It’s not about ignoring grief, stress, uncertainty, or the very real challenges of life and work.
It’s about acknowledging them and giving yourself the tools to cope, recover, and move forward.
As Klaudia explains, happiness:
- Helps us regulate our nervous system
- Makes us more resilient under pressure
- Increases kindness, generosity and problem solving
- Gives us the energy to face hard things, not avoid them
Or put simply:
Happiness doesn’t deny reality.
It helps you deal with it.
Stand-Out Quotes
“Happiness is not a destination. It’s a starting point”
“We regret not allowing ourselves to be happier”
“You can be going through something hard and still experience joy”
“Happiness fuels kindness. Without it, we can’t change anything”
“You don’t need a life overhaul - you need small habits, done consistently”
Why Listen
This episode is for you if:
- You’re tired of overcomplicating happiness
- You want practical tools, not platitudes
- You lead people and want them to thrive, not just survive
- You’re curious about how your brain actually works
- You want permission to feel joy without guilt
It’s a reminder that happiness is not selfish.
It’s not fluffy.
And it’s definitely not accidental.
As Klaudia dares us all to do:
👉 Be 1% happier. That’s enough.
Get her book here - https://amzn.eu/d/gDRfFyd
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Dulcie Swanston, bestselling author, executive coach, leadership trainer, neuroscience and psychology “magpie,” and one of the clearest thinkers you’ll ever meet in hospitality.
Dulcie’s career spans 23 years at Bass PLC / Mitchells & Butlers, senior HR leadership, graduate programme design, global executive coaching, and now running multiple businesses that all share one simple mission:
Make complicated things simple, and usable now!
From accidentally falling into hospitality after realising acting wasn’t for her… to becoming one of the most trusted leadership thinkers in the industry… this episode is packed with stories, insight, Yorkshire humour, and a lot of truth.
In This Episode
- Why Dulcie believes “it’s not bloody rocket science” and why simplicity is a leadership superpower
- Accidentally landing a graduate role at Bass PLC because it was the only application deadline still open, and why that changed everything
- Turning up on day one… only to be told the marketing department no longer existed
- Becoming the company’s first ever “commercial graduate” a role nobody could quite define
- Working across finance, property, operations, HR and brand, and why that breadth became a gift
- Managing O’Neill’s pubs taking £50–60k a week and winning global performance awards
- Recruiting and developing women into leadership roles when talent was hidden in plain sight
- Finding her true calling in HR in her mid 30s and realising leadership is about helping others be great at their jobs
- The difference between leaders whose teams perform only when they’re present… and leaders whose teams thrive when they’re not
- Why great leaders (and great coaches) aim to make themselves redundant
Imposter “Syndrome”? Not Here.
One of the standout sections of the episode is Dulcie’s reframing of imposter syndrome which she refuses to call a syndrome at all.
Instead, she calls it:
Well, tune in to find out
Her take?
“If you think you’re finished as a leader or coach — you’re finished.”
She shares powerful imagery about the two voices on our shoulders, why our brains constantly lie to protect us, and how learning to notice those lies without shame is the key to growth.
Stand-Out Quotes
“Happy people make more money.” Dulcie Swanston
“The brain isn’t a video recorder — it’s an editing machine.” Dulcie Swanston
“Great leaders get their teams to perform brilliantly when they’re not there.” Dulcie Swanston
“If you think you’re done learning — move aside.” Dulcie Swanston
“Comfort with ambiguity is one of the greatest leadership strengths there is.” Dulcie Swanston
Why Listen
This episode is a goldmine for anyone who:
- Leads people in fast-paced, operational environments
- Feels overwhelmed by complexity and wants clarity
- Wants to understand why great leaders work, not just what they do
- Is curious about coaching, self-awareness, and better thinking
- Loves practical wisdom delivered with warmth and humour
It’s a conversation about leadership without ego, growth without jargon, and thinking better so work doesn’t feel like work.
As Dulcie puts it perfectly:
“When work doesn’t feel like work — that’s when you know you’re in the right place.”
Enjoy!
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week on Hospitality Meets, Phil sits down with Matt McCabe, Founder of Subu Connect - a platform created to bridge the gap between food and beverage suppliers and global buyers across airlines, foodservice and hospitality.
Matt’s story is one of curiosity, courage, accidental brilliance, and a lot of beautifully human learning along the way. From a 19-year-old Irish hotel management student taking a leap into a German kitchen… to buying food for prisons, parliaments and planes… to building his own tech platform from scratch - this is a masterclass in connection, leadership, humility and trust.
It also includes one of the greatest stories ever told on the podcast involving… mayonnaise.
In This Episode
- How a leap of faith took Matt from hotel school in Ireland to cooking in Germany, Switzerland and London — including a stint at The Dorchester with 120 chefs in the kitchen
- The moment Matt realised chefs don’t buy food and how that insight led him into procurement and supply chain leadership
- Why asking for help (and admitting you don’t know something) is one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop
- What running food supply for UK prisons, the House of Lords, and then Emirates Airline Catering taught him about scale, systems and humanity
- The emotional and cultural challenge of moving his family to Dubai - and what that transition really felt like
- How a chance LinkedIn event invitation on holiday led to the creation of Subu Connect almost overnight
- The reality of becoming a founder: self-belief, risk, financial uncertainty, and emotional investment
- Why Matt believes “Every Connection Matters” - and how relationships compound over time
Stand-Out Quotes
“I never really believed in myself. I was waiting for the lightbulb moment — and I used that as an excuse not to start”
“Every connection matters. No conversation is ever wasted”
“I physically feel it when the company struggles — like you would with a child or a loved one”
“We’re not the stars — the suppliers are. We’re just the stage”
“People didn’t invest in the platform. They invested in me and what I stand for”
Why Listen
This episode is a beautiful exploration of:
- Career reinvention and courage
- The hidden emotional side of entrepreneurship
- Leadership through vulnerability and trust
- The power of curiosity and asking better questions
- Why hospitality skills translate into almost every other industry
- How values shape sustainable businesses
It’s a reminder that success is rarely linear, confidence often arrives late, and the most meaningful careers are built through people, not plans.
A joyful, human, wise and quietly powerful conversation.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, Phil sits down with Chetan Bhanot, Group General Manager of The Mandeville Hotel in Marylebone and Pendley Manor in Hertfordshire - two stunning properties he leads with equal parts humility, humour and impressive calm.
Chetan’s story spans 32 years in hospitality, from hotel school in India, to Hilton and InterContinental, to JW Marriott Mumbai’s first-ever opening, to London’s NH Hotels, Harrington Hall, and now a dual-property leadership role he’s held for nearly a decade. It’s a journey filled with learning, pressure, kindness - and the occasional guest who forgets where they left their car.
This episode is rich with leadership lessons, humanity, and proper belly laughs.
In This Episode
- Finding hospitality through a school friend in India, discovering the power of people and team sports, and starting a career that now spans over 30 years Chetan Bhanot
- The power of environment — why even the most talented people struggle in broken systems, and how the team–self–ownership triangle must align for success
- Hotel school → Hilton → InterContinental → JW Marriott — the early years that shaped his entire leadership philosophy
- Moving to the UK and rising through NH Hotels to Director of Hotels UK, with senior leaders who “held the ladder” so others could climb
- COVID chaos: losing full kitchen teams, reopening four times in two years, housekeeping stepping in to help the kitchen, and how the team “kept smiling through it all” Chetan Bhanot
- The 2011 London riots — the scariest moment of his career, locking down the hotel, protecting guests, and hotels banding together to keep each other safe
- Work-life balance vs. balance — and why hospitality now can offer both
- Paying it forward — why leaders must give others the same opportunities they were given, and why career growth comes when you stop chasing titles and start enjoying the work
- Huge expansion plans at both The Mandeville and Pendley Manor, from new bedrooms to new ballrooms to full refurbishments
And the Funny Story You Have to Hear…
A guest storms into reception convinced his car has been stolen from the hotel.
Police nearly called.
Panic everywhere.
Then CCTV...
I'll let you tune in to hear
Stand-Out Quotes
“You’re not what happens to you — you are how you choose to rebuild”
“During COVID, we didn’t open once — we opened four times. And every time, the team stood together”
“Failure is a negative word. Replace it with ‘learning’ — it changes everything”
“A team works when ego and job titles are left at the door”
“People held the ladder for me. Now it’s my turn to hold it for others”
Why Listen
This episode is a masterclass in:
- Building and leading high-performing teams
- The real emotional cost of COVID and how hospitality survived it
- Dealing with pressure, failure, and adversity
- Why kindness, support and opportunity matter more than titles
- How hotels come together in crisis
- What great service really looks like
Chetan’s story is proof that leadership isn’t taught — it’s lived, experienced, and shaped through humanity, humour and hard days.
A proper hospitality heart-warmer.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
To watch this episode, head to https://youtu.be/tMghGC2VZMo
This week, we’re in one of the stunning bedrooms at Corinthia London, talking to a man whose story genuinely feels like a film.
Simon Casson, now CEO of Corinthia Hotels and former President EMEA at Four Seasons, was once told at 15 that he was a failure, that his education was over, and that he should “learn to fix cars or join the army”
He went home devastated. His mum came back from a bar shift, wrapped her arms around him and said:
“Simon, you’re special. You’re going to be a leader of men. You’re going to achieve great wealth and success. And I believe in you”
From washing dishes and sleeping in a room above a local restaurant… to becoming the youngest GM in Four Seasons… to running 45 hotels and 17,000 people… to now leading Corinthia’s push to “challenge luxury’s usual suspects” - this is a story of belief, graft, failure, and a very people first kind of success.
In This Episode
- “You’re a failure” at 15 – the careers officer, the crushing conversation, and the one sentence from his mum that changed everything
- Dishes, cheap digs & cheap labour – washing up, living above the restaurant, then a “management training scheme” that was really just doing every job in the hotel (and secretly the best education imaginable)
- Castles, chefs & the Four Seasons bug – being spotted by Kit Chapman at The Castle at Taunton, working alongside a young Gary Rhodes, and being introduced to Four Seasons as “the greatest hotel company in the world”
- From managing to leading – the early disaster as Room Service Manager at Four Seasons London and the moment it all changed
- Washington, Doha, Dubai & beyond – Clinton era D.C., meeting heads of state and celebrities, becoming the youngest Four Seasons GM in Doha, opening hotels in the Middle East and Africa, and eventually becoming President for Europe, Middle East & Africa
- Sacrifice, anxiety & imposter syndrome – missing chunks of his kids’ childhood, hiding the fact he had no degree, and learning that pressure, doubt and growth often live in the same room
- The “second mountain” – stepping away after 35 years at Four Seasons, retreating to a farm in Croatia, and then being courted by global brands before choosing Corinthia as the place to write his next chapter
- Corinthia’s new chapter – why London was transformational, how New York became “the star of the Met Gala”, and what it really means to be a “true contender” in global luxury
Stand-Out Quotes
“When the whole world’s saying, ‘No, you can’t,’ you really just need one person to say, ‘Yes, I believe in you. You can.’”
“We’re all masters of our own destinies. We all have to polish our own diamond.”
“Leadership has to be rooted in humanity. It has to be rooted in kindness. It has to be anchored in really caring about people’s stories.”
“The absence of criticism is not the same as the provision of support.”
“You’re refined in that fire of defeat and failure and self doubt. Or you’re not. Or you fail”
“It’s about getting comfortable with the imbalance, that work is life and life is work”
Why Listen
This isn’t just a “big job” CV walk through.
It’s:
- A proper origin story about how one conversation can change a life
- A masterclass in leadership, learned the hard way through walk outs, self doubt and getting it wrong first
- A peek behind the curtain of Four Seasons in its golden era and Corinthia in its challenger era
- A very honest take on success, sacrifice, mental health, ambition and reinvention
If you’ve ever felt “not academic enough”, worried you’re an imposter, or wondered how people at the very top actually think about leadership and life… this one is for you.
Frankly, there's something for everyone in here.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Also, a massive shout out to our new show partners Apron
Running a hospitality business means juggling endless payments - from suppliers to staff - all while keeping cash flow in check. That’s where Apron helps.
With Apron Bill Pay, you can manage every supplier payment in one place, approve and schedule bills, and sync automatically with Xero or QuickBooks.
And with the Apron Card, your team can spend easily while you stay in control - and earn rewards on every purchase.
Learn more at getapron.com.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Every now and then, an episode arrives that contains everything we love about hospitality:
chaos, heart, humour, problem solving… and at least two stories involving naked guests.
This week Phil chats with James McComas FIH, General Manager of Eastwell Manor, part of the Champneys Group. At 6'5", James is one of the tallest men Phil knows — which, as it turns out, comes with unexpected job perks
But behind the laughter sits a deeply thoughtful leader with a wonderfully varied hospitality journey: from growing up on army bases and falling into hotels at 15, to adventuring across the US, spending five transformational years in New Zealand, then returning to the UK to run heritage properties, country houses and boutique hotels.
In This Episode
- How James went from growing up on army bases to discovering hospitality at 15 and never looking back
- Wild stories from Colorado and the early years, including saunas and frat parties
- Five transformative years in New Zealand and the cultural lessons that shaped his leadership style
- The messy, brilliant reality of becoming a GM, including sewage explosions, fires, and emotional hospitality
- Life at Eastwell Manor today: heritage charm, low doorframes, and why tall GMs are secretly maintenance heroes
- More than his fair share of nudity exposure
Stand-Out Quotes
“The absence of criticism is not the same as the provision of support”
“You almost can’t be wrong — because in that moment, you don’t yet know what ‘right’ is”
“Everywhere I’ve worked, I’ve come away grateful for what I’ve learned”
“These stories balance out the tough days — they remind you why we do this”
Why Listen
This episode is everything hospitality really is:
funny, unpredictable, emotional, human, and a lifelong learning journey.
James brings:
- Sharp leadership insight
- Real talk about stepping up to GM
- Incredible travel stories
- A deep appreciation for culture and people
- Two of the best hotel anecdotes ever recorded
And behind the humour is a leader who genuinely loves this industry, and shows you exactly why
Enjoy!
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Also, a massive shout out to our new show partners Apron
Running a hospitality business means juggling endless payments - from suppliers to staff - all while keeping cash flow in check. That’s where Apron helps.
With Apron Bill Pay, you can manage every supplier payment in one place, approve and schedule bills, and sync automatically with Xero or QuickBooks.
And with the Apron Card, your team can spend easily while you stay in control - and earn rewards on every purchase.
Learn more at getapron.com.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix hustle, humility, a bit of chaos, and a moment of pure stage-fright… this episode has you covered.
This week, I sat down with Tom James, Managing Director of Bill’s Restaurants, and a man whose career has taken him from glass collector to running iconic hospitality brands with a detour involving an incident with Jamie Oliver. Is that really his name?
it’s every bit as painful and glorious as it sounds.
But beyond the comedy gold, Tom brings serious insight on leadership, culture, brand evolution, and the real work behind transforming a casual dining business in a turbulent market.
In This Episode
- The 16 year old glass collector who instantly fell in love with the buzz of hospitality
- Why hospitality should count as national service
- The mentor who changed Tom’s life and convinced him to skip his degree for a bar manager job at 20
- Becoming a General Manager at 24 and the power of someone seeing potential in you before you see it in yourself
- Forgetting everything you think you know when joining a new business (and why it matters)
- The Padstow Hotel summer that taught him more in four weeks than the entire year before
- Why casual dining’s old “playbooks” no longer work in a market that changes every two months
- How Bill’s rebuilt its identity, doubled EBITDA, and refocused the business around culture, data and genuine hospitality
- Why six out of ten experiences are basically an invitation to try somewhere else
Stand-Out Quotes
“You’ve always got to find a way. The failures… what are the learnings? How can I do it better?”
“The nicest, kindest, most generous man I’ve met in hospitality is Bill — he’s still our cultural benchmark.”
“Six out of ten is saying: try somewhere else next time.”
“The best loyalty comes from emotional connection — not discounting.”
“I learned more in four weeks running that hotel than in the entire year before.”
Why Listen
This episode is a masterclass in:
- Leadership without ego
- Culture-driven transformation
- Brand identity in a challenging market
- The messy, human, hilarious reality of hospitality
And above all, Tom’s story is a reminder of why this industry is so special:
it takes good people, stretches them, teaches them, shapes them — and occasionally gives them stories they’ll never, ever live down.
Including Jamie Oliver
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Also, a massive shout out to our new show partners Apron
Running a hospitality business means juggling endless payments - from suppliers to staff - all while keeping cash flow in check. That’s where Apron helps.
With Apron Bill Pay, you can manage every supplier payment in one place, approve and schedule bills, and sync automatically with Xero or QuickBooks.
And with the Apron Card, your team can spend easily while you stay in control - and earn rewards on every purchase.
Learn more at getapron.com.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, we’re talking about something every hospitality person knows all too well: pain.
Back pain. Neck pain. Shoulder pain. “I’ve been on my feet for 14 hours” pain. But what if… most of it isn’t actually coming from your body?
Enter Gemma McFall (Gemma McFall – Pain Reprocessing Therapist)— Chronic Pain Recovery Coach, former hotel HR leader, Disney alum, and the only person whose first hospitality shift involved covering herself in six bowls of soup.
A true industry baptism. 😂
Gemma lived with debilitating chronic pain for ten years — through hotels, homeworking, young kids, and long haul flights — before discovering the science that completely changed her life.
Now, she helps hospitality people understand the one thing no one ever told us:
👉 Pain is created in the brain — and it can be unlearned.
In This Episode The hospitality origin story involving Leicester Tigers and soup* * How her dream career turned into years of chronic pain * Why perfectionists, overthinkers & people-pleasers are most at risk * The science of pain: threat systems, predictive coding & fear loops * The moment she realised nothing was “structurally wrong” * What actually works — education, evidence logs, emotional awareness * Why chefs, servers and managers often misattribute pain to the job * How leaders can spot pain patterns in their teams
Gemma’s stand-out lines
“Pain becomes a learned response — it’s predictive coding”
“Being old doesn’t equal being in pain”
“The smartest people have the worst pain”
“People get used to being in pain. It becomes a way of being”
Why ListenIf you’ve ever blamed your job, your shoes, your mattress or your age for your aches, this episode will change your thinking completely.
It’s funny, practical and properly eye-opening.
A genuine life-upgrade episode.
Show Partners
A big shout out to the first of today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Also, a massive shout out to our new show partners Apron
Running a hospitality business means juggling endless payments - from suppliers to staff - all while keeping cash flow in check. That’s where Apron helps.
With Apron Bill Pay, you can manage every supplier payment in one place, approve and schedule bills, and sync automatically with Xero or QuickBooks.
And with the Apron Card, your team can spend easily while you stay in control - and earn rewards on every purchase.
Learn more at getapron.com.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with Jacu Strauss, Architect, Designer and Creative Director of Lore Group - the team behind iconic hotels like Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Riggs Washington DC, Lyle, and 100 Shoreditch.
Jacu’s journey is extraordinary
From growing up in the Kalahari Desert, dreaming up imaginary worlds, teaching himself to draw and paint, and spending Christmases in his grandfather’s 20 room desert hotel… to studying architecture at the Bartlett, landing a role with Tom Dixon, designing Sea Containers having never done a hotel before, and ultimately shaping some of the most distinctive hotels on the planet.
This is creativity, curiosity, and courage in its purest form.
In this episode, Jacu and I dive into…
- Growing up in the Kalahari and learning to “create his own world”
- How a childhood surrounded by nature, storms and stars shaped his visual imagination
- Becoming an architect… in the middle of the 2008 crash
- Joining Tom Dixon’s studio and learning the power of storytelling in design
- Winning the pitch for Sea Containers London without ever having designed a hotel before
- Why hospitality is the ultimate playground of art + science
- How he builds hotels where guests write their own stories
- The importance of imperfection in design (“interiors should be about people”)
- Why comfort beats everything — “great bed, great shower, great materials”
- The unseen touches behind Lore Group hotels
- His philosophy on reducing waste, reusing buildings, and designing sustainably
- How to design when everyone has an opinion - and why the question “Why are we doing this?” matters more than anything
- Creativity, boundaries, and the real joy of experimentation
- The culture required to make creative teams flourish rather than fear mistakes
Quotes from Jacu
“I grew up in the Kalahari Desert… I had to create my own world”
“Creativity is just problem solving”
"Attitude is everything”
“You can’t fool people in a hotel”
“It’s not just about the end product - it’s about the journey”
“Interiors should be about people. Imperfection is the most beautiful thing”
“Smell is sometimes the first impression… sometimes even before you walk into a space”
“I want guests to write their own story, not have an experience forced on them”
"If you skip the first step - experimentation - it’s difficult to complete a project successfully”
“There are no rules in design. You have to create your own rules all the time”
Why this episode is worth your time
If you’ve ever walked into a hotel and thought, “Why does this just… feel good?”
This conversation is the answer.
Jacu brings a rare blend of thoughtful philosophy, meticulous craft, and playful human insight. It’s a deep dive into the creative mind behind some of hospitality’s most beautiful spaces and a reminder that design is really about people, comfort, and emotion, not just aesthetics.
It’s poetic, practical, and properly inspiring
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down with Dan Barnes, Managing Director of Flourish Hospitality, a learning and development consultancy built on one simple idea: that every moment in hospitality is a chance to help someone grow.
Dan’s story is one of those brilliant hospitality journeys that started with polishing cutlery and pretending to be a grown-up in a suit and somehow led to building learning cultures across hotels, restaurants and private members’ clubs.
From Marriott to Edwardian Hotels, Caprice Holdings and now Flourish, Dan’s career has been a masterclass in curiosity, creativity, and learning the hard (but hilarious) way.
In this episode, Dan and I dive into…
- How he went from dreaming of being a history teacher to becoming hospitality’s go-to L&D guru
- The lessons learned from Marriott’s graduate scheme (and a haggis-related feedback story you won’t forget)
- His time at Edwardian Hotels, where he built a Food & Beverage Academy and developed “The Service World to Stage” program
- Why L&D in hospitality is the only truly positive role in HR
- The realities of pre-opening a major hotel and the mantra that kept him sane
- The joy (and chaos) of opening Annabel’s and running training for 1,500 people at Caprice Holdings
- Why feedback hurts, but silence in a training room hurts more
- And the beautiful truth that great hospitality isn’t an act, it’s genuine human connection
Dan Barnes Quotes“Learning and development is the one truly positive role where every interaction is positive.”
“It doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be wonderful.”
“If you’re good at L&D, you build rapport — which is essentially hospitality skills.”
“You can’t inspire people on day one with food safety. Orientation should be about joining the journey.”
“As long as you’re passionate about hospitality, you can find a career anywhere.”
Why this episode is worth your time
Dan embodies everything great about hospitality learning, heart, humour, and humility.
This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone who’s ever tried to train, lead, or inspire a team while the fire alarm’s going off.
It’s honest, it’s funny, and it’s full of lessons about resilience, storytelling, and why you should always leave space for people to find their own answers.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down in The Den at The Other House, South Kensington, with the wonderful Jo Morgan, owner of Meliora Consultancy Services, coach, advisor to Tech on Toast and all round powerhouse of positivity.
Jo’s journey is one of those you could never script. From becoming the youngest female GM in her company at 27, to running seven floating hotels for TUI Cruises, to heading up operations for The Other House and launching her own consultancy, Meliora (“the pursuit of the better”) her career reads like a masterclass in saying yes and figuring it out later.
And along the way, she’s seen it a lot! And I mean a lot
Double booked hotels. Reindeer “activity” on the 18th green. Soviet-style roadshows in Odeon cinemas. And more heart, humour, and hustle than most industries can handle.
In this episode, Jo and I dive into…
- The birth of Meliora Consultancy
- How she became the youngest female GM in the UK within her company
- Her adventures in cruise operations (running seven floating hotels on WhatsApp anyone?)
- What it was like to deliver holidays for guests with disabilities through Revitalise
- How COVID forced her to hit reset and rediscover her purpose
- The magic of The (multi award winning) Other House
- Why making someone’s day, no matter how small, is never wasted effort
- And yes… the tale of the double booked Hotel and the reindeer "Activity" on the golf course
Notable Quotes
“Everybody deserves a holiday.”
“I’m not scared of learning something. Maybe it’s just undying curiosity, but I’ll Google everything.”
“It’s not necessarily the mistake itself that’s the issue — it’s how you respond to it.”
“In hospitality, you get a lot of chance to make people’s day. Why wouldn’t you take it?”
Why this episode is worth your time
Jo brings the perfect mix of real talk and relentless optimism.
She’s the embodiment of why hospitality people are different, resourceful, human, endlessly curious, and full of stories that make you laugh one second and reflect the next.
If you’ve ever wondered what “leadership with heart” looks like in action this is it
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week, I sat down in person (yes, we went old school) with the brilliant Jakob Gowin, General Manager of the Meliá White House in London - and what a conversation this turned out to be.
From washing dishes at 13 to running a 581 bedroom hotel and 112 long-stay apartments (with residents who’ve lived there for 30+ years!), Jakob’s journey is packed with graft, heart, humility, and more than a few cracking stories - including the fact we recorded this episode in “The White House”. Sadly, neither of us bumped into the President… but we did fix some of the worlds problems
Jakob brings a refreshing, human first take on hospitality and leadership, rooted in care, curiosity, resilience and a healthy dose of humour. This episode is full of golden nuggets for anyone in the industry, regardless of where you sit on the org chart.
In this episode, Jakob and I get into…
- His spur of the moment entry into hospitality at age 13 (thanks to his brother bunking a shift)
- How a single 30 second conversation changed the entire course of his career
- The incredible history of the Meliá White House - from art deco elegance to WWII navigation point to Soviet spy HQ
- Balancing hospitality at scale with genuine personalisation (including when “positive stalking” is actually a great thing)
- Why unsung hero actions matter just as much as the big “hero moments”
- The responsibility leaders have around their first response
- Why communication isn’t a “soft skill” - it’s the skill
- The power of empathy, integrity and a well timed bit of humour in leadership
- AI in hotels: not a gimmick, not a cost-cutting exercise - a chance to give humans more time to be… well… human
Some cracking quote-ables from Jakob“A bad manager is sometimes easier to learn from than a good one.”
“If that doesn’t bring a smile to your face as someone in hospitality… you’re in the wrong trade.”
“People will forgive an awful lot if they’re communicated to properly.”
“You can’t deliver hospitality if you’re not feeling right. It’s hard to paint on a smile forever.”
“Treat people how they want to be treated - not how you want to be treated.”
Why this episode is worth your ears
If you work in hospitality, lead people, want to lead people, or just need a little reminder of what true hospitality looks like, this one’s for you.
Jakob is the kind of leader who proves that kindness and high performance are not only compatible - they fuel each other. You’ll walk away with ideas you can implement today, whether you run a team of 2 or a hotel of 500+.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week on Hospitality Meets, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the brilliant Edward Gallier (Edd), Head of Learning & Development at Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland and freshly minted Catey Award winner 2025
Edd’s career has been built on passion, purpose, and the odd bit of chaos (because what’s hospitality without it?). From wild award show mishaps to deep reflections on leadership and learning, this episode is a masterclass in how to stay grounded, laugh often, and never lose sight of what really matters.... people.
We talk about developing talent, the psychology of hospitality, resilience, and why laughter might just be the most underrated leadership skill there is.
It’s funny, thoughtful, and properly inspiring, everything you’d hope for from a conversation with one of hospitality’s brightest Learning & Development minds.
Key Takeaways
- Laughter Is a Leadership Tool: A good sense of humour builds connection faster than any training manual
- Learning Never Stops: The best leaders stay curious, and know how to make learning fun
- Resilience Is Everything: Success in hospitality means thriving through chaos, not avoiding it
- Culture Starts with Care: You don’t train people to leave, you train them to stay
- Hospitality Is Joy: Give it, share it, and receive it, that’s where the real magic is.
Memorable Quotes
"It’s a good job we’re not running something like a nuclear power station because, you know, let’s press that big green button, let’s see what that does” - Edd Gallier
“And you just saw this head rolling off the stage. It was saved, my colleague was quickly stuffing this head back on the mouse, just another day in Leonardo Awards evening life” - Edd Gallier
“To succeed in hospitality, the resilience, tenacity, the psychological and behavioural skills that you have to develop, not just to survive the shift, but to have an absolute blast, it’s a real skill.” - Edd Gallier
“You can put yourself into a position in this job where you’re just giving and receiving joy the whole time. I know that sounds whimsical, but I stand by the science behind it” - Phil Street
“You want to make sure that your team is super engaged and super passionate so you retain them as long as you can. You don’t train people to leave, you’re training and developing them to stay” - Edd Gallier
Final Thoughts
Edd's story is a celebration of humour, humanity, and heart. The very best of what hospitality can be.
From accidental comedy gold to leadership gold standards, his blend of warmth, wit, and wisdom makes this episode an instant favourite.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode Summary
This week on Hospitality Meets, I’m joined by the brilliant Philip Steiner, Chief Operating Officer at Cycas Hospitality a man who’s spent his whole career planning for spontaneity (yes, it’s a thing).
From cleaning rooms to the C-suite, Philip’s journey is a joyful mix of graft, grit, and glorious chaos, proving that great leadership often comes down to knowing when not to turn up.
Our chat is packed with laughs and we chat about BBC blunders, linen truck disasters, diversity done right, and the art of stepping back so others can shine. It’s a conversation full of laughs, insight, and those “oh, that’s so true” moments that hospitality people will feel deep in their bones.
If you’ve ever tried to organise fun or manage chaos (sometimes at the same time), this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership Is Letting Go: Sometimes the best leaders get their A+ by staying home
- Plan for Chaos: Hospitality works best when you leave space for the unpredictable
- Adversity Builds Culture: The toughest days often create the strongest teams
- Diversity Needs Allies: Progress happens when everyone leans in, not just those affected
- You Can’t Plan Fun: But you can create the conditions for it to happen
Memorable Quotes
- “I got an A+ for staying home, best course ever”
- "You can plan everything around fun, but you can’t plan people having a good time”
- “Sometimes the worst of times are actually the best of times, because you pulled together and made it happen”
- "Even though the department is running brilliantly, it’s mostly because you’re there. Your next step is learning to do that without you there”
- "Every committee needs a Phil”
Final Thoughts
Philip reminds us that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about trusting your team, rolling with the madness, and laughing when plans inevitably go sideways.
He’s living proof that a little planning and a lot of humanity can turn chaos into culture.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week on Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the brilliant Phil Shelley — Senior Operational Manager at NHS England and Chair of the NHS Food Review. Phil is an exceptional hospitality leader and human being and was crowned Outstanding Achievement Award winner at the 2025 Foodservice Cateys, only last Friday.
Phil’s career is a masterclass in purpose driven leadership. From his early days in hotel kitchens to shaping the future of hospital food, he’s proof that hospitality is about so much more than service, it’s about care.
We talk about how hospitality thinking is transforming the NHS, the power of teamwork in driving real change, and why good food and kindness go hand in hand.
It’s an episode packed with humour, heart, and hope and a well deserved celebration of a man who’s spent his life making food matter.
Key Takeaways
- Food Is Care: The NHS Food Review isn’t just about meals — it’s about dignity, wellbeing, and recovery.
- Hospitality Belongs Everywhere: Empathy, teamwork, and kindness are as crucial in hospitals as in hotels.
- Leadership Through Listening: Real change comes from empowering others, not instructing them.
- Progress Beats Perfection: Keep moving forward — the impact compounds.
- Celebrate the Wins: Recognition matters, especially when it shines a light on meaningful work.
Memorable Quotes
- “I’ve got to say, Phil, I love my job”
- “Always has time for people. And isn’t that the secret of success?”
- “Sometimes those challenges or the times where you really kind of hit a wall, they are the biggest learning areas”
- “You will find a solution, you will find a way together. And sometimes if you do it together, my goodness me, that is powerful”
- “I was thinking it must be Number 10 just down the road from me... and as the call went on, I suddenly realised, oh my gosh"
Final Thoughts
Phil is a living reminder that hospitality is everywhere and when it’s done with purpose, it can transform lives.
This conversation is equal parts inspiring and grounding, showing how leadership, food, and humanity can come together to make a real difference, one plate at a time.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode Summary
In this very special episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the incredible Maya Gilbert, hospitality lifer, dog lover, and now… coastal legend!
Maya recently completed a jaw dropping walk around the entire English coastline, that’s over 2,700 miles, to raise funds and awareness for Hospitality Action. With a £10 a day budget, a dodgy tent, and a heart full of purpose, she set off from Liverpool armed with nothing but determination, humour, and (possibly) too much stuff in her backpack.
What follows is a funny, moving, and downright inspiring conversation about resilience, community, and the power of doing something “big and stupid” for all the right reasons.
Expect laughter, blisters, fake IDs, beagles, and life lessons by the bucketload.
Key Takeaways
- From Fake IDs to Front of House: Maya’s hospitality story starts with fake ID and evolves into a thriving management career
- Bin Area Epiphany: Sometimes career clarity arrives mid meltdown behind a pub.
- Dogs, Pasta, and Pandemic Pivots: From dog walking to a food truck business, Maya’s career has more twists than a Netflix drama
- Naïve Brilliance: She planned her 2,700-mile charity walk with roughly zero logistical planning and some rose tinted glasses... and that might have been the secret to finishing it
- The Kindness of Strangers: From pub gardens to spare rooms, the hospitality of Britain literally carried her around the coast
- Redefining Hospitality: It’s not just restaurants and hotels - it’s everywhere people show kindness
- From Anxiety to Adventure: Turning 30 meant closing one chapter and opening another on foot.
Memorable Quotes
“Tell me you’ve got ADHD without telling me you’ve got ADHD: I started a dog walking business”
“Everyone said, ‘That’s stupid.’ And I thought… yeah, but is it?”
“Hospitality doesn’t end when you leave a bar or a restaurant — it’s everywhere. Every day, someone showed me kindness”
“Sometimes you just need to do something big and stupid to remind yourself what you’re capable of”
Connect with Us
If you love stories of courage, chaos, and community, this one’s for you.
Support Maya and Hospitality Action - Maya Gilbert is fundraising for Hospitality Action
Learn about Hospitality Action here - https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/
And to sign up and support the walk for wellbeing, click here
Final Thoughts
Maya’s story is more than an epic walk — it’s a love letter to hospitality, human kindness, and the messy, beautiful art of saying “why not?” instead of “what if?”
Whether you’re in hospitality, need a reminder that good people are everywhere, or just fancy a laugh about fake IDs and too-heavy backpacks and soooo much more — this episode is the very definition of joy
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode Summary:In this heartwarming and hilariously honest episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the brilliant Abigail Tan, CEO of St Giles Hotels — a woman who’s equal parts rock star, rebel, and real-deal leader.
From dreams of fronting a band to running an international hotel group, Abigail’s journey is a masterclass in following your heart (and occasionally your vacuum cleaner).
Expect laughter, leadership lessons, and the occasional toilet paper obsession as Abigail opens up about imposter syndrome, resilience, kindness, and turning hospitality into a true force for good.
We cover:
- Why failed rock careers make great hoteliers
- The Great Toilet Paper Stockpile of Penang
- Surviving New York’s wild hotel scene (and a run-in with angry union reps)
- Why happiness is the ultimate business metric
- How she turned lockdown hotels into safe havens for the homeless
It’s equal parts inspiring and ridiculous, the kind of episode that’ll make you laugh, think, and possibly re-evaluate your own toilet paper supply.
Key Takeaways
- Hospitality Is Performance: Every front desk shift is a show but one built on warmth, not fakery.
- Happiness Is a Strategy: Abigail leads with joy, proving business success can be measured in smiles.
- Fail Forward: Imposter syndrome never fully goes away but learning (and laughing) through it is key.
- Hotels Can Heal: Through her charity Hotels of Heart, Abigail’s using hospitality to change lives.
- Leadership with Soul: Real leadership isn’t about hierarchy — it’s about humanity, humility, and humour.
Memorable Quotes:“What’s life without elegance, playfulness and quirkiness? It’s too short”
“You can have all the money in the world and still be lonely, happiness is the real success”
“Bullies have always irked me. If they say yes or no, I say give me a legal reason”
“Every hotel shift is a little performance, you’re there to make people feel something”
“We had to keep our staff employed and our rooms empty, so we filled them with purpose”
Final Thoughts
Abigail isn’t just running hotels, she’s redefining what hospitality means.
Her story is equal parts humility and hilarity, proving that success built with heart beats status built on ego any day.
If you want to be inspired, laugh, and believe in the good side of business again, this one’s a must listen.
The Guest
Abigail Tan is the CEO of St Giles Hotels, overseeing properties in London, Heathrow, Malaysia, and the Philippines. She’s the founder of Hotels of Heart, a charitable initiative connecting hospitality with social purpose. From housing the homeless to training young people for brighter futures.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode SummaryIn this inspiring episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with Billy Skelli-Cohen, CEO of Beaumier Hotels, a boutique group with 11 stunning properties across France, Switzerland, and Ibiza.
Billy’s story is not your standard hospitality tale. In fact, he jokes that he’s “a bit of a fraud” because he’s never actually worked in a hotel. From starting out in retail, to private equity, to leading some of Europe’s most iconic hotel projects, Billy’s journey is proof that there’s no single path to the top in hospitality.
Expect stories of bold ideas that paid off (a bike repair kit that became a PR sensation), bold mistakes (thinking Europe’s playbook would work in the US), and why listening twice as much as you talk might just be the best leadership hack out there (Must learn this, Phil)
Key Takeaways Employee Experience First – “It’s impossible to deliver great guest experiences without first delivering great employee experiences.” * Boldness Pays Off – Sometimes the smallest left-field ideas (like a Dutch bike kit in a hotel room) create the biggest impact. * Culture Matters – What works in one country doesn’t always work in another; leadership is an art, not a science. * Stay Curious – Great leaders ask questions, observe, and never stop learning. * People > Projects* – The proudest achievements aren’t hotels or awards, but watching people around you grow and flourish.
Memorable Quotes “Hotels are never finished. There’s always something to improve, evolve, or reimagine.” * “It’s impossible to provide good guest experience without a good employee experience first.” * “I’m not afraid to say I now only want to work with people who are smarter than me.” * “Sometimes the small, silly ideas end up becoming the PR story everyone talks about.” * “I don’t look back too much. I don’t look too far ahead either. I try to stay in the present.”*
Final ThoughtsBilly’s journey is a reminder that hospitality isn’t just about hotels, it’s about people, culture, and curiosity. From repositioning icons like The Pulitzer in Amsterdam to building soulful luxury hotels in magical destinations, his leadership shows that staying bold, present, and people-first is the real key to growth.
Show PartnersA big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode SummaryIn this sparkling episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the unstoppable Michelle Moreno, founder of QAB Leadership (Is that really it's name Michelle?)
From accidentally elbowing Leonardo DiCaprio to fangirling over Sarah Jessica Parker in the dark, Michelle’s journey through hospitality is as wild, funny, and inspiring as it gets.
With a career that’s taken her from London’s hottest openings to Mykonos, India, and Mauritius, Michelle’s story is one of resilience, humour, and never taking herself too seriously. Along the way, she’s learned that imperfection is a superpower, leadership should be fun, and sometimes the best brand names are the ones people trip over.
Expect celebrity encounters, cultural adventures, brutal honesty, and some cracking wisdom on careers, confidence, and carving your own path.
Key Takeaways Imperfection = Strength – You don’t have to be polished to be powerful. * Hospitality is Chaos & Magic – From elbowing Leo to opening 50+ restaurants, it’s never dull. * Leadership with Laughter – Fun belongs in business; we’re a long time dead, so lighten up. * Follow the Adventure – Careers aren’t linear; they zigzag through countries, cultures, and crises. * Community is Everything* – LinkedIn, kindness, and connection can change your career trajectory.
Memorable Quotes "When you say QAB quickly, it sounds like Crap Leadership. But hey, people remember it” * "I elbowed Leonardo DiCaprio in the stomach. Not on purpose… just because I was shit” * “Life isn’t about change, it’s about evolution” * “We’re a long time dead, so let’s make leadership fun” * “I met Sarah Jessica Parker… and made a tit of myself in front of Matthew Broderick two nights in a row”*
Final ThoughtsMichelle’s story is a glorious reminder that success isn’t about straight lines or spotless CVs, it’s about saying yes, laughing at the chaos, and evolving along the way. From Nobu in Mykonos to “crap leadership” in London, her career proves that hospitality is a serious industry where fun, imperfection, and humanity always win.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode SummaryIn this laugh out loud episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the brilliant Rob Flinter, Area General Manager for London and Westmont Hospitality Group. Rob’s career has taken him from the frontline of hotels to rubbing shoulders with rockstars, rugby legends, and royalty with plenty of mishaps, laughs, and wisdom along the way.
Expect tales of sweaty lift rides with Prince Philip, rockstars passed out under tables, and the moment Rob realised he was officially old (hint: it involves Kylie Minogue).
Alongside the comedy, Rob shares refreshingly honest insights on leadership, vulnerability, and why hospitality is one of the most rewarding industries out there.
We covered:
- Getting stuck in a lift with Prince Philip (and his twitchy bodyguard)
- Hosting rockstars, rugby icons, and pop legends
- The allergy question that broke hospitality
- Why “fake it till you make it” is terrible advice
- How vulnerability and honesty beat blagging every time
- Hospitality = Career & Comedy – A serious profession filled with ridiculous stories.
Memorable Quotes "I’m not sure how calm I came across… more like a blabbering idiot sweating profusely in the corner of a lift.” * “Fake it till you make it? Absolute rubbish.” * “Kylie Minogue walked in and the kids went, ‘who’s that?’… I thought, oh God, I’m ancient.” * “Hospitality is a career that can take you anywhere — and you’ll laugh a lot along the way.”*
Final Thoughts
Rob’s journey is a reminder that hospitality is equal parts chaos, comedy, and camaraderie. From royal encounters to rock ’n’ roll mayhem, he shows that leading with honesty and humour makes for not just a better GM, but a better human being.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
We're back! And we're back for at least another year thanks to the legends at Rotacloud!!!
And what a way to welcome us back with none other than the beyond epic, deep thinking and hilarious Gina Knight, Head of People at Flat Iron.
Gina brings a big dose of warmth, humour, and honesty as she takes us from reception desk chaos to Ibiza career pact holidays, via Girl Guide hooch smuggling and a heated broccoli debate.
This episode is proof that hospitality is never boring and that laughter really is part of the job description.
What you’ll hear in this episode: The Apron Rebellion – Why Flatiron’s team said “thanks, but not good enough” and turned old aprons into hammocks, handbags and… dresses. * Reception life uncensored – Gina and Phil swap war stories about demanding guests, room shortages, and the eternal question: how do you like your broccoli? * Girl Guides & Hooch – Life lessons from leadership at 12 years old * The Ibiza Pact – How Gina’s “if you get a new job, I get a new job” deal ended in both friends quitting * The Beef Bank* – Yes, Flatiron literally gives managers a monthly allowance called the Beef Bank. Spoiler: it doesn’t involve storing steaks in a vault (Although Phil may have thought this)
Key Takeaways: Listening gets results: Sometimes it’s as simple as changing aprons or challenging your team to upcycle them into fashion * Hospitality teaches resilience: From riots to ridiculous complaints, it’s all character building (and occasionally comedy gold). * Neurodiversity is a strength: Gina shares how dyslexia and ADHD traits fuel her creativity and communication. * Careers aren’t straight lines: Say yes, pivot, Ibiza, repeat. * Kindness still wins*: Even after chaos, communities show up with coffee, cake, and compassion.
Quotes we loved:* “We redesigned the aprons… and the team went, thanks, but that’s not good enough. Make them sustainable. Cue: hammocks, handbags, cushions, and dresses.” * “At 12, I was responsible for six Girl Guides. I’d like to say I was sensible… but I did sneak in a couple of bottles of Hooch.” * “How do you like your broccoli, Phil?” * “I wanted to go to Ibiza, so I told my best mate we both had to get new jobs. We both did. Mission accomplished.” * “I thought the Beef Bank was actual beef in a bank… but apparently, it’s money you can spend on PlayStation vouchers or pillows.”
A joyful, laugh-out-loud episode awaits about people, positivity, and why soggy broccoli nearly broke the internet.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Guests: Emma Sharma, Meghan Ellis Smith, Fernando Odio, Chelsy Rafael, Isabelle White – aka Team Zenith
Host: Phil Street
What’s Inside:
- The Edge Hotel School students who beat the Swiss at their own game
- From cruise ship dreams to CEO goals
- The EM Cup – Europe’s most competitive hospitality battle
- Public speaking disasters, bonding breakthroughs, and backstage mind games
- How Team Zenith went from forgotten intro to unforgettable champions
- A story of belief, banana-shaped confidence curves, and near-chokehold celebrations
Topics Covered:
- How each student found their way to hospitality (spoiler: not one dull route)
- Why public humiliation at a student conference was actually a blessing
- What it takes to pitch to 500 people and survive a Dragon’s Den Q&A
- The intense selection process (TikToks, debates, interviews – they did it all)
- The Triangle Hands legend and branding brilliance of Team Zenith
- Why realistic ideas beat Swiss-level fantasy pitches
Highlight Moments:
- “Alex said if we didn’t win, he’d quit his job.”
- “We told the other teams we had no idea what we were doing. Classic mind games.”
- “I said we were going to win… but I completely forgot my lines!”
- “Winning felt amazing. Nearly died from a celebratory hug, but amazing.”
A massive thank you to the Edge Hotel School (And previous guest Adrian Martin) for setting this up. Hospitality Meets sends heartfelt congratulations to Team Zenith for this extraordinary achievement
Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode Summary:
In this lively and insightful episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the incredible Bernadette Gilligan, General Manager of Conrad London St. James. From humble beginnings in hospitality to leading one of Hilton’s most prestigious luxury hotels, Bernadette shares her journey with humour, wisdom, and a few unexpected twists along the way.
Expect career-defining moments, leadership insights, and a deep dive into the camaraderie that makes hospitality such a unique industry. Plus, find out why she turned down The Ritz, what it’s like to host Ed Sheeran’s afterparty, and how she once had to evacuate an entire hotel in the middle of a crisis!
Key Takeaways:
- The Hospitality Bug Starts Early – Bernadette's love for hotels began at just six years old, inspired by her father’s work in the industry.
- Lessons from a Hairdressing Salon – Her mother’s business taught her the importance of customer service, loyalty, and front-of-house charisma.
- Leadership & Crisis Management – The day the power went out at Hilton Manchester Deansgate, and how teamwork saved the day.
- The Power of Camaraderie in Hospitality – How competition takes a backseat when the industry comes together.
- Hosting Icons & Learning from the Best – From Ed Sheeran’s afterparty to rubbing shoulders with football legends.
- Hospitality as a Career Choice – Why it’s an industry full of opportunity for those with passion and drive.
Memorable Quotes:
"Sometimes you're not there for the job—you’re there for something else. You just might not know it yet."
"I grabbed my lipstick, two phones, and my keys—and that was the last time I saw my office for two days."
"We all try to grasp control of our destiny, but stuff happens. You just have to roll with it."
"Hospitality allows you to build a serious career while having an awful lot of fun."
Connect with Us:
Like what you hear? Subscribe to Hospitality Meets for more inspiring stories from industry leaders!
Final Thoughts:
Bernadette’s story is a testament to the power of determination, adaptability, and the human connection that makes hospitality truly special. Whether you’re in the industry or just love a great career story, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a reminder that hospitality is more than just a job—it’s a way of life.
The Guest
General Manager at Conrad London St. James, Bernadette has worked for Hilton since 1990 (2-year break ’95-’97) and has always been based in UK. Her first General Manager role was at Hilton York in 2001. Her favourite assignments have been opening Hilton Manchester Deansgate as the General Manager in 2006 (Her hometown) and turning around the fortunes of the newly opened Hilton London Wembley in 2014. Bernadette feels she has been very fortunate in her career as hospitality offered her so many growth opportunities. It is truly a fantastic industry to be part of.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
In this lively and laugh-filled episode of Hospitality Meets, I sat down with John Herity, Club Operations Manager at The Caledonian Club in London. From his accidental start in hospitality to tales of Burns Night feasts and Scottish banter, John's journey is a testament to adaptability, tradition, and keeping your cool in high-pressure situations.
Expect stories of butlering for the elite, dodging dodgy chicken, and navigating the world of private members' clubs with a mix of humour and hard-earned wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to thrive in hospitality while keeping the fun alive, this episode is for you!
What’s Inside?The Accidental Career: How John found his way into hospitality (spoiler: it involved a necessity rather than a plan!)
Banter & Burns Nights: Running a Scottish institution in London, plus a deep dive into the economics of haggis
The Art of Adaptability: Lessons from private clubs, corporate dining, and high-end butlering
Crisis Management: The time John refused to serve a risky chicken dish
Full Circle: From Glasgow to London, redundancy to return—why John keeps coming back to The Caledonian Club
Key Takeaways:✔️ Hospitality is everywhere – From banks to private clubs, the impact of great service goes far beyond restaurants and hotels.
✔️ Tradition matters – Whether it’s Burns Night or butler etiquette, preserving heritage can be good for business.
✔️ Details make the difference – From perfectly polished shoes to getting coffee service just right, hospitality is all about the little things.
✔️ Reputation is everything – Skills can be learned, but how you handle yourself (and your team) will define your career.
✔️ Stay adaptable – Whether it’s a vending machine mishap or a last-minute event flip, problem-solving is a hospitality superpower.
Memorable Quotes:🗣️ “If you're about to invest £10 million and they can’t get the tea and coffee right, what does that say about the rest of the business?”
🗣️ “There's no such thing as just a waiter, just a barista, or just a tea and coffee service. That’s where business happens.”
🗣️ “I wasn’t about to serve that chicken and end up on the news. Not on my watch!”
🗣️ “Hospitality is the unsung hero of history. Deals, diplomacy, and celebrations all happen over food and drink.”
Final Thought:This episode is a masterclass in the art of hospitality—packed with humor, wisdom, and a healthy dose of Scottish charm. Don’t miss it!
🎧 Tune in now and let the storytelling begin!
The Guest
John Herity is the Club Operations Manager of the Caledonian Club in London
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-herity-cmdip-mih-275b58b5/
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Whilst out and about on my travels, I was introduced to today's guest by previous guest, powerhouse Rachel Thomson (Episode 176).
So it was great to sit down with Tim Hobern, the founder of Dovetail Bars, to talk about his wild and unexpected journey from bartender to bar owner to entrepreneur shaping London’s cocktail scene. From opening London’s smallest bar to launching a Leicester Square hotspot in just 72 sleepless hours, Tim shares the thrills, challenges, and lessons of building a hospitality business in a post-COVID world.
Key Takeaways:
- Entrepreneurial Agility – Tim’s journey is a masterclass in spotting opportunities and adapting quickly. (Spoiler: "Pivot" is mentioned... reluctantly.)
- The Power of Saying Yes – How a residency deal turned into a rapidly growing bar brand.
- Future-Proofing Your Business – Why Tim doubled down on a second location early on.
- The Art of Customer Experience – From London’s tiniest bar to a casino collaboration, making guests feel at home is everything.
- Handling Chaos Like a Pro – Lessons from opening a bar in three days, fighting fires (literally), and dealing with late-night Camden crowds.
Fun Moments:
- The creative way Tim once "gently" persuaded a rowdy crowd to leave his venue. (Hint: Music choices matter!)
- The time a neighbouring building caught fire, and Tim had to empty the bar’s safe and grab some beers… just in case.
- How opening a bar inside a casino required a surprising amount of explanation to customers.
Memorable Quotes from the episode:
“No one has ever had a fight with Britney Spears playing in the background.”
“Everything only ever makes sense in retrospect.”
“I called in every possible favour… and then we had a three-day turnaround to open a bar.”
“If you tell yourself this is going to be a chapter in the autobiography, you can push through the pain.”
“I’ve developed an almost religious relationship with coffee.”
“Most things are set up to be manageable—otherwise, businesses wouldn’t survive.”
“The best problem-solvers have just a tinge of arrogance—the refusal to accept there’s something they can’t do.”
“You can find ways to make people feel unwelcome without being unwelcoming.”
This chat is totally brimmed with lessons and stories and I hope you enjoy!
The Guest
Tim is a British/Australian Bar manager who's been working across London venues for the past 9 years. Since 2023, he's been the owner of Dovetail Bars Ltd, a company that operates bar residencies for venues that have difficulty executing bar concepts in a post-Covid and Brexit space.
https://dovetailbars.co.uk/
Instagram - @dovetailbars
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This weeks episode of Hospitality Meets is a rollercoaster of inspiration, resilience, and comedy, featuring the incredible journey of Rizwan Khan, General Manager at Junsei. From his accidental dive into hospitality to becoming one of the youngest GMs in Mayfair, Rizwan shares stories of perseverance, leadership, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way.
Key Takeaways:Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint – Rizwan views hospitality as a never-ending relay race where each generation passes the torch to the next. His mission? To keep running and inspire others to do the same.
Diamonds Are Made Under Pressure – Whether it was stepping up in high-stakes competitions or managing a restaurant at 21, Rizwan thrives when challenged.
Valentine’s Day Disaster – A first date gone wrong as a lady arrives late.
A Career Defining Moment – When a guest had a medical emergency, Rizwan broke the rules (and possibly speed limits) to get her to a hospital with lessons and payoff galore!
COVID: Life’s Reset Button – After losing his job during the pandemic, Rizwan considered switching to IT but realised his true passion was in hospitality. His takeaway? "If I can inspire others to push forward, then I’ll be the torch to light the way."
Memorable One-Liners: "Life isn’t something that can be explained—by the time you try, you’re out of time." * "The hospitality industry is one big marathon; we just keep passing the torch." * "I’ve slept enough for the last eight months—time to get moving!" * "Everything you want is on the other side of fear." * "Hospitality pays you to learn food and beverage knowledge—what other industry does that?"*
Rizwan is an excellent guest and another insight into the career potential of this amazing sector.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Rizwan Khan is the General Manager of Junsei, a traditional Yakitori restaurant in London.
Website - https://junsei.co.uk/ldn/
Instagram (Rizwan) - https://www.instagram.com/rizwan_k_98/
Instagram (Restaurant) - https://www.instagram.com/junsei_uk/
LinkedIn (Rizwan) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizwan-khan-mih-5742a9140/
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Welcome back to Hospitality Meets, where we dive into the stories behind the people who keep the hospitality world buzzing! 🍻
In this episode, Phil sits down with Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (https://beerandpub.com/) and all-around pub enthusiast. We chat about:
🍺 Why the pub is the heart of every community (and why you should probably visit yours more).
🏛️ Emma’s whirlwind journey from studying law to being elected the youngest UK MEP (via a chance encounter in a pub—naturally).
💰 The challenges facing pubs today (spoiler: it involves taxes, regulations, and a lot of lobbying).
🎉 Why hospitality isn’t just an industry
🏉 A little rugby, a little politics, and a whole lot of passion for beer.
Emma also reveals the hilarious moment she made King Charles laugh during her OBE ceremony, and we discuss whether more business ideas should be born on the back of beer mats.
So, grab a pint, settle in, and prepare to be both informed and entertained. Cheers! 🍻
The Guest
Emma is Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association. Chair of World Brewing Alliance. Trustee Only a Pavement Away. NED Ivors Academy & Hampshire Cricket. Also a Former politician MEP for 10 years.
Instagram BBPA - https://www.instagram.com/beerandpub/
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Ever wondered how a dishwasher at age 10 ends up running the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts? Well, Lisa Jenkins (CEO of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts) is here to spill the tea (and maybe a few kitchen secrets).
We get through a lot and I chat with Lisa about:
🍽️ Why hospitality careers are more than just chefs & managers (yes, journalists count too!)
✈️ How working too hard at the Singapore Air Show got her a business-class flight home (note: not a recommended career strategy)
💡 The power of saying yes to opportunity… even when you have no plan whatsoever
🤝 Why relationships in hospitality are more valuable than a Michelin star
🚀 How she went from publishing flight magazines to fine dining journalism – and finally, the big boss chair at RACA
Lisa’s journey is proof that career paths are never linear—sometimes they come with unexpected detours, high-flying perks, and a whole lot of laughs.
🎧 Tune in now! Guaranteed to make you rethink your career… or at least consider faking shin splints for an upgrade. 😉
The Guest
Lisa Jenkins is the chief executive officer for The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), the UK’s leading professional membership association of head chefs, head pastry chefs, restaurant managers and associates. RACA provides education, inspiration, and aspiration through a variety of channels including the RACA apprenticeship programme, the Annual Awards of Excellence, the Adopt A School charity and the four-yearly Master of Culinary Arts competition.
RACA supports young people, colleges, and educational institutions by providing programmes through its extensive network of academician members and industry contacts while raising the standards and awareness of food, food provenance and sustainability, cooking and service.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jenkins-cfsp-58907144/
Instagram personal - @lisa_jenkins02
Instagram (RACA) - @royalacademyofculinaryarts
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
In this entertaining and insightful episode, I joined David Cochrane, the CEO of HIT Scotland (https://hitscotland.co.uk/), who shares his incredible journey through the hospitality industry. From his early days as a chef (with a few kitchen disasters) to leading a transformative organisation, David offers a mix of heartfelt wisdom, career insights, and laugh-out-loud moments. The conversation covers the importance of hospitality education, the camaraderie of the industry, and some unforgettable antics—like a management team performing a "Full Monty" routine at a Christmas party!
Key Takeaways: The Power of Hospitality: David highlights how hospitality is not just a job but a way of life, full of opportunities and unexpected adventures. * Project Minerva: An exciting new initiative focused on immersive learning in unique venues, bringing global experts to the industry. * The Joy of Giving Back: Through HIT Scotland, David has helped raise millions to fund scholarships and develop future leaders in hospitality. * Fundraising Meets Fun: Whether it's climbing Kilimanjaro, hosting high-profile events, or pulling off outrageous stunts, David proves that raising money for a good cause doesn't have to be boring. * The Community Spirit:* The industry is built on relationships, and David emphasizes the importance of supporting each other, celebrating success, and having a laugh along the way.
Memorable Quotes: “I joke that Edinburgh doesn’t go to Glasgow for lunch, and Aberdeen doesn’t go to Venice for dinner, but every region has its unique charm.” * “We put blue tack on the spyhole so no one could see us rehearsing... and then performed the Full Monty in front of 800 people.” * "Out of adversity comes innovation—during COVID, we pivoted to online scholarships, helping over 3,600 people.” * "Our industry is so professional now; the old stereotypes are well and truly outdated." * “I keep getting told off for watching too much TikTok... but imagine the ‘Phil Monty’ routine making a comeback!”*
David really does have the lightest touch and his journey is a non stop anecdotal delight.
Enjoy!
The Guest
David is the CEO of the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, HIT Scotland. We are a Scottish charity that organises a number of key industry events, raise a bit of money through fundraising, and then give out inspirational and bespoke scholarships to the emerging talent of the industry.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
What do really expensive toilet paper, waistcoat etiquette, and Ferraris getting smoked by Teslas all have in common? They’re just some of the unexpected gems from this week’s chat with Jason Simpson, CEO of Raw Charging, an all-around electric vehicle (EV) evangelist and holder of an epic journey.
I joined Jason at Raw's London offices for a deep dive into the world of EV charging, hospitality, and the surprisingly dramatic shift from petrolhead to plug-in advocate. Along the way, we bust some major myths, including:
🔋 Range Anxiety is Fake News – “EV charging anxiety disappears faster than a free bar at a wedding.”
🏨 Hotels Without Chargers Are Missing a Trick – “Great, your guests can charge ‘just down the road’… instead of spending money in your bar.”
🚗 Petrolheads Are in Crisis – “Ferrari had to go hybrid because Teslas kept humiliating them at traffic lights.”
Oh, and Jason also casually reveals that you could lease an electric Lotus for £500 a month—which sent me into a mild existential crisis.
From accidentally running a luxury hotel in Morocco (and nearly losing two stone in the process) to explaining why Premier Inns need to step up their charging game, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and some serious food for thought.
So, whether you’re an EV sceptic, an early adopter, or just here for the comedy of technological change, buckle up and plug in—this episode is a ride worth taking.
🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to subscribe!
The Guest
As CEO of RAW Charging, Jason Simpson drives the company’s mission to deliver top-tier EV charging solutions for the leisure and hospitality industries. With a background in luxury travel, under Jason's leadership, RAW Charging has partnered with prominent names like Merlin Entertainments, Alton Towers, and LEGOLAND® to provide seamless, sustainable charging experiences that elevate guest satisfaction across leading leisure destinations.
In a former life Jason was a GM of a Small Luxury Hotel’s property in Morocco, a long term investor in a regional chain of hotels with over 500 bedrooms acquired in 2008 by BDL Select and has spent an enormous amount of time in and around luxury hotels with his former partner who is a travel writer and author.
Headline Sponsor
RotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Silver Sponsor
Fuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout.
Looking for a coffee solution for your café, restaurant, or hotel? Pact Coffee delivers unparalleled quality and consistency tailored to your business's needs.
Ready to discover how Pact can support your business? Visit https://business.pactcoffee.com/ to speak with our team and learn more about our tailored coffee solutions.
Tomorrow morning just got better.
www.pactcoffee.com.
Also available at Waitrose, Ocado and Whole Foods.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
My goodness have I got a chat and half for you for the weeks special.
You are about to receive Mind blowing Learning, Authentic emotion, Unbelievable power and Easy to take action.
All that and we fix politics as well
Back in November 2023 I had the privilege of appearing on the Thoughts that Rock Podcast, hosted by old friend of the show Jim Knight and today’s guest (And hopefully new friend of the show) Brant Menswar.
Brants Journey will absolutely blow your mind.
This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and the human spirit’s capacity to thrive despite adversity. Brant Menswar shares profound insights on how identifying your core values can unlock your potential, empowering you to live intentionally. Whether you’re navigating a career change, personal hardship, or searching for direction, Brant’s relatable anecdotes, actionable advice, and deeply authentic delivery make this discussion both inspiring and transformative!
Enjoy!
The Guest
Best-selling author, former real-life rock star, and Top 10 motivational speaker, Brant Menswar, helps break down daunting long-term goals into powerful everyday moments giving everyone from the front line to the C-suite an opportunity to "own a moment" and create unstoppable momentum.
His dynamic live events are a fusion of ground breaking research, interactive live music, powerful narratives and heart-moving video that ignite an emotional call to action among attendees. With more than a decade of strategic involvement with elite global brands, Brant has honed an unparalleled expertise in catalysing connection, sparking engagement, and driving exponential growth.
Website - https://www.brantmenswar.com/
The Book, Black Sheep - Get it on Hardcover, Audiobook or Kindle
Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brantmenswar/
Headline Partner
RotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Silver Partner
Fuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout.
Looking for a coffee solution for your café, restaurant, or hotel? Pact Coffee delivers unparalleled quality and consistency tailored to your business's needs.
Ready to discover how Pact can support your business? Visit https://business.pactcoffee.com/ to speak with our team and learn more about our tailored coffee solutions.
Tomorrow morning just got better.
www.pactcoffee.com.
Also available at Waitrose, Ocado and Whole Foods.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
I love coffee.
That is all, bye!
In all seriousness, I was beyond thrilled to sit down with Will Corby, the coffee connoisseur extraordinaire and Director of Coffee and Social Impact at Pact Coffee. From thrilling tales of gangland encounters to the intricacies of brewing the perfect cup, this episode is as much a caffeine kick as it is a heartfelt chat. Oh, and did we mention it’s full of laughs too? Dive into Will's journey from being a coffee hating mechanical engineer to a coffee aficionado, and learn what makes Pact Coffee not just a brand but a movement.
Key Takeaways: A Sliding Doors Moment:*
Will's coffee epiphany happened with a cup that tasted like Werther’s Originals. One sip changed his life direction.
- From Engineering to Coffee:
Discover how Will's background in mechanical engineering surprisingly aids in creating the perfect roast profile for Pact Coffee.
- The Americano Debate:
Will’s disdain for the term “Americano" and his preference for long-brewed coffee. Learn why he believes this common coffee term should be banished forever.
- Brewing Espresso Like a Pro:
Insight into the meticulous art of brewing perfect espresso and its meditative nature for Will.
- Social Impact and Farmers:
How Pact Coffee works directly with farmers to produce some of the best coffee in the world, improving lives and building communities.
- Adventures in Risky Places:
A heart-pounding tale from El Salvador involving armed gang members and a lucky escape.
- Collaboration Over Competition:
From barista competitions to business, Will underscores the importance of sharing knowledge and the collective improvement that results.
- Decaf Done Right:
The shift in the decaf coffee landscape, with Pact Coffee leading the charge to offer high-quality decaf options that taste just as good as the real thing.
Memorable Quotes:* “Acts of service are a love language.” - Will Corby * "If I was to bring you a bottle of wine from the best estates in the world, you'd be talking about that wine costing thousands and thousands of pounds a bottle." - Will Corby * “I love brewing espresso; it’s almost meditative.” - Will Corby * “The best want to share everything. There’s no real hiding because collaboration breeds innovation and growth for everybody.” - Will Corby
Conclusion:Don’t miss out on this episode packed with fascinating insights, valuable lessons, and plenty of laughs. Will Corby’s journey and his passion for coffee and social impact are sure to inspire, educate, and entertain you from start to finish. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or just love a good story, this episode has something for everyone.
The Guest
Will Corby, Director of Coffee & Social Impact at Pact Coffee. His role is to go and find farmers in 9 Countries across 3 continents who have the capacity to produce the best coffee in the world, incentivise and inform practices for it's cultivation and processing with local agronomists. He then imports that coffee to the UK where Pact develop individual roast profiles based on each coffees unique chemistry and ship them to one of the tens of thousands of home subscribers around the UK, Cafes, Hotels, Restaurants and Offices. Pacts goal is to improve the quality of every cup of coffee consumed in the UK, and use that as a way to engage the public with paying a price for that coffee that allows them to pay a prosperous price to coffee farmers around the world.
Instagram - @PactCoffee
Headline Sponsor
RotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Silver Sponsor
Fuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout.
Looking for a coffee solution for your café, restaurant, or hotel? Pact Coffee delivers unparalleled quality and consistency tailored to your business's needs.
Ready to discover how Pact can support your business? Visit https://business.pactcoffee.com/ to speak with our team and learn more about our tailored coffee solutions.
Tomorrow morning just got better.
www.pactcoffee.com.
Also available at Waitrose, Ocado and Whole Foods.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Welcome back, Hospitality Meets fans! In this delightful episode, I sat down with the effervescent Clare Downes, a dynamic executive coach and founder of Martlet.Life and who excels in guiding leaders to their full potential. We go on an engaging journey through Clare's fascinating career path—from her entrepreneurial roots on a farm, into the bustling world of food and drink, and finally to becoming an inspiring executive coach!
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:
- The Serendipitous Start: Discover how a casual comment on a previous guest's post (shoutout to Phil Murphy!) led to Clare joining our show.
- Coaching Unveiled: Clare breaks down the sometimes mysterious world of coaching. Learn about the nuanced distinctions between coaching, mentoring, and therapy. Trust us, your perception of these roles will never be the same again!
- Leadership Leap: Stepping up into a leadership role can be daunting. Clare tackles the topic head-on with insights that will make you rethink imposter syndrome
- A Journey of Adaptability: Phil and Clare discuss the human capacity for adaptation and reinvention. Whether you're feeling stuck or ready for growth, Clare’s wisdom will help you navigate your path with confidence.
- Coaching in Crisis: Clare shares some heart-warming success stories from her coaching career, particularly during the challenging times of COVID-19. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the resilience and growth of her clients.
- Sporty Analagies Galore: Athletes and business leaders have more in common than you think! Clare’s sporty analogies bring a refreshing and relatable perspective to personal and professional development.
So, whether you're mulling over a career change, stepping into a new leadership role, or simply curious about coaching, this episode has something for everyone. Sit back, relax, and join us for an hour of inspiration.
Thank you for tuning in, and as always, stay curious and keep growing! 🎙️✨
P.S. Don't forget to leave us a review and share this episode with anyone who might need a little nudge toward greatness!
The Guest
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-downes-07802015/
Website - https://www.martlet.life/
Headline Partner
RotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Silver Partner
Fuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout.
Looking for a coffee solution for your café, restaurant, or hotel? Pact Coffee delivers unparalleled quality and consistency tailored to your business's needs.
Ready to discover how Pact can support your business? Visit https://business.pactcoffee.com/ to speak with our team and learn more about our tailored coffee solutions.
Tomorrow morning just got better.
www.pactcoffee.com.
Also available at Waitrose, Ocado and Whole Foods.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
This week I sat down with one of my oldest clients and friends, Barry Dawson, the Senior Vice President of Finance atAimbridge Hospitality EMEA, to explore the intriguing world of finance in the hospitality industry. Amidst the humour and light-hearted banter, they uncover some serious gems about how technology and automation are revolutionising hospitality and finance.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:An Unexpected Journey:
- Discover how Barry stumbled into the world of finance during a university placement, proving that sometimes the best career paths are the ones we don't plan.
- The tale of how covering for a sick colleague led Barry to a fulfilling career in hospitality finance.
Tech Integration with a Dash of Humour:
- The fascinating role of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in transforming finance operations, sprinkled with Barry's entertaining anecdotes.
- How Aimbridge's finance team went from managing a couple of hundred statements to around 10-12,000, like financial superheroes on a caffeine high!
Leadership Lessons and Chuckles:
- Barry’s reflections on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of being open to new opportunities—served with a side of humour.
- Stories about the larger-than-life characters he’s encountered in his journey, and how the dynamic has changed over time.
Adapting to Global Crises:
- Insights into navigating business challenges during the credit crunch and COVID-19, while keeping morale high with a bit of laughter.
- Barry’s perspective on the importance of resilience, leadership, and humour, especially during tough times.
Finance Roles in Stereovision:
- Barry demystifies the perception of finance being dull, highlighting the charm and character within the field.
- Amusing comparisons between finance roles and iconic scenes from "Toy Story," bringing a quirky spin to otherwise mundane tasks.
Barry’s Pessimistic Optimism:
- A candid look at Barry’s unique approach to pessimism: starting from the worst-case scenario and being pleasantly surprised by positive outcomes.
- The importance of thoroughness and detail in finance, with humorous stories about past mistakes and lessons learned.
The Future of Hospitality Finance:
- A look at how technology will continue to shape hospitality finance roles, making them more dynamic and engaging.
- Phil and Barry's predictions on the evolving work-life balance within the industry post-COVID-19
Tune in to hear Phil and Barry's engaging conversation that's sure to leave you with a smile and newfound respect for the unsung heroes of hospitality finance.
Subscribe and Share:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with your friends and colleagues. Leave us a review and let us know what you think!
The Guest
Barry Dawson is the Senior Vice President of Finance for Aimbridge Hospitality. My role is responsible for the Corporate finance function of Aimbridge as well as overall responsibility for the hotel finance function and business performance
https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-dawson-27bba53/
Headline Sponsor
RotaCloud is the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
Silver Sponsor
Fuel your passion for hospitality with the finest speciality coffee from Pact, proud sponsor of this episode! Pact Coffee works directly with smallholder farmers to bring exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee to UK consumers and businesses. As a special treat for listeners, Pact is offering 25% off your 1st, 3rd, and 5th orders - because we know once you taste Pact, you’ll never look back. Simply sign up to a subscription at pactcoffee.com and enter the code HOSPITALITYMEETS at the checkout.
Looking for a coffee solution for your café, restaurant, or hotel? Pact Coffee delivers unparalleled quality and consistency tailored to your business's needs.
Ready to discover how Pact can support your business? Visit https://business.pactcoffee.com/ to speak with our team and learn more about our tailored coffee solutions.
Tomorrow morning just got better.
www.pactcoffee.com.
Also available at Waitrose, Ocado and Whole Foods.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
So here's another cheeky bonus for you this week.
Having connected properly earlier in the year, Michael and I decided it might be interesting to have a chat about what we'd learned from over 500 conversations with hospitality professionals so todays bonus, is that chat in all its glory done in collaboration with the Michael and his awesome show, Hospitality Mavericks.
We dive deep into the heart of adversity, resilience, and the powerful impact of diverse backgrounds in the hospitality industry. Grab your headphones and prepare for a rollercoaster of insights, laughs, and aha moments!
Key Takeaways: Embrace Adversity*
Life throws curveballs - learn to hit home runs! Adversity can lead to unexpected growth and resilience.
- Diverse Pathways
Meet rockstars like Ari from Singerman and solicitor-turned-foodie Nisha Katona, whose unique journeys are shaping the hospitality landscape.
- Essential Hospitality Skills
Trust, empathy, and human connection aren't just buzzwords—they're the secret sauce to thriving in hospitality (and life!).
- Leading with Heart
True servant leadership means empowering your team to shine, even if it means making your role redundant.
- Community Matters
From local collaborations to employment initiatives, building strong communities is a hospitality superpower.
- Storytelling Magic
Tune in for impactful tales of transformation, like Mohamed Ali's incredible journey from ex-prisoner into hospitality.
- Jazz Band Leadership
Just like a jazz band, great hospitality requires teamwork, improvisation, and hitting the right notes together.
- Humour & Heart
Laughter is the best garnish—fun and friendship make for the best leadership recipes.
Fun Takeaways: Unexpected Career Moves*
Many hospitality stars didn't plan their careers; they stumbled into greatness!
- Michael's Podcasting As Personal Development
Who knew podcasting could be like an unofficial MBA? Michael's branding of this is a perfect way to summarise what podcasting can do for your own life education.
- Phil's Autobiography Crush
Spoiler alert: Phil loves autobiographies, maybe it was the reason he started a podcast delving into the stories of humans?.
Join us as we celebrate the world's greatest industry—hospitality! Let's keep the conversation rolling and the stories flowing. Tune in now for wisdom, wit, and a whole lot of heart.
Connect with Us:* Find "Hospitality Meets" on Instagram, LinkedIn, and your favourite podcast apps. * Connect with Michael and "Hospitality Mavericks" on LinkedIn and their official website, the link is above.
Remember, every great journey begins with a conversation. Let's talk, learn, and grow together!
The Guest
Michael is the founder and host of the awesome Hospitality Mavericks Podcast and a positive advocate of the hospitality industry
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michael_tingsager/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitalitymavericks
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Summary:
Join Phil as he welcomes the exceptional Martin Traynor OBE, Chair of the Institute of Hospitality and a prominent figure in hospitality and public service. This episode is rich with light hearted anecdotes and humorous reflections, giving listeners a delightful yet informative glimpse into Martin's illustrious career and unique experiences!
Highlights:
- The Meaning Behind OBE: Martin reveals his wife's humorous take on his prestigious honour
- Shoe Mishap with the King: A hilarious recounting of a colleague's rain-induced footwear faux pas during an audience with King Charles III
- Royal Encounters: Enjoy Martin's candid and charming stories contrasting encounters with the approachable King Charles III and the more formal Queen Elizabeth II.
- Tech Tales: Martin shares a comical yet insightful look at the technological evolutions in hospitality—from outdated processes to modern event management software that’s changed the game.
- Decision-Making Under Pressure: Relive a tense yet amusing scenario from Martin's days in hotel management during the IRA bombing era, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the hospitality sector.
- Unexpected Duties at the Chamber of Commerce: Martin's transition from hotel management to public service is marked by funny and unexpected twists that showcase his adaptability and resourcefulness.
- Ministerial Antics: A light-hearted discussion on the demanding, yet often misunderstood, roles within public service, peppered with Martin’s personal experiences and the media’s unique portrayal.
Tune in to hear about Martin’s delightfully unpredictable journey, full of laughs, learning, and leadership. Whether you're intrigued by public service, passionate about hospitality, or just in need of a good laugh, this episode has something for everyone!
Enjoy!
The Guest
Martin Traynor OBE is the Chair of the Institute of Hospitality
www.linkedin.com/in/martin-traynor-obe-fih-miod-640421b9
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Hold onto your wine glasses, folks; this episode is a roller coaster of laughs, heart warming tales, and high-flying business ventures! I welcomed back Andrew Fishwick, CEO of Hestia and an irrepressible entrepreneur with a penchant for fun and "pulling wool over everyone’s eyes"—literally (Read on)! 🐑
Episode Highlights:🎓 Academic Rivalries: Andrew’s fresh from bagging a master's degree, but the real academic battle royale? A playful showdown with his wife, who’s plunging into a doctorate!
🌉 Sheep Drives on London Bridges: Yes, you heard that right! Andrew proudly talks about being honoured with the Freedom of the City of London and joyously driving sheep across London bridges. Baaaaasically (Sorry), he’s making history one sheep at a time!
💸 Historic Cash Hauls: Flashback to the '90s – Andrew regales us with a hilariously risky tale of lugging around bags stuffed with £100,000! Just another day at the bar, right? It's still a story that blows my mind and transcends the industry.
🍽️ "If I Had a…" Food Event Extravaganza: Imagine world-class chefs reinventing their culinary dreams. From hake Scotch eggs to speakeasy wonton snacks, it’s a flavourful festival you won’t want to miss!
🏡 Home Kitchen Heroics: Glide into the heart-warming story of Home Kitchen. Fine dining meets social good – serving up food and hope for the homeless, this venture is truly turning tables!
🚀 Business Bucks and Blunders: Dive into the highs and lows of Andrew's bold business moves. From acquiring premium brands like Apoy and Native to dodging the pitfalls of private equity, there's a boatload of entrepreneurial wisdom wrapped in entertaining anecdotes.
🌍 Local Legends & Global Good: With quirky stories about chefs like Monica Galletti whipping up meals for the needy and heartfelt initiatives reducing homelessness, Andrew's narrative will tug at your heartstrings – and tickle your funny bone!
Stay connected with the essence of hospitality and laughter. Get ready to enjoy an episode sizzling with inspiration, humour, and as always, great company.
Subscribe, listen, and laugh out loud as we explore this eclectic tapestry with the incredible Andrew Fishwick. 🚀👨🍳🎉
The Guest
Andrew leads the business and commercial strategy for Hestia. He has over 20 years’ experience leading hospitality and culture
He has produced over two dozen West End and Broadway shows, winning Tony Awards, Olivier Awards, Evening Standard Theatre Awards and many more. Andrew returned to the hospitality sector as interim CEO for several organisations which included multi award-winning Michelin Star gastro pub, restaurant groups and hotels.
Andrew a board member of the British Institute of Innkeepers as well as a mentor for the Prince's Trust. He was elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts and holds an MBA and has also been awarded the Freedom of the City of London for services to Business and the Arts.
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Podmas everyone! 🎅🎁
Prepare to unwrap something truly special this Christmas Day as our gift to you is an episode packed with culinary genius and a sprinkle of laughter! Join me as I sat down with the hilariously insightful Daniel Clifford, the proud owner of the two Michelin starred Midsummer House (https://midsummerhouse.co.uk/) and a treasure trove of unforgettable stories!
🎙️ Episode Highlights:
1. Ho Ho Hospitable Hiccups:
- Picture this: Daniel decides to take a break and leaves a trusted friend in charge. What could go wrong? Cue an unannounced visit from the head of Michelin! Zoiks!
2. Dropped Calls and High Hopes:
- Ever get so excited that you drop your phone? Well, Daniel did! When the legendary Derek Bulmer called to announce their promotion to TWO Michelin stars, the news was so shocking that Daniel dropped the phone. What happened next was pure Comedy gold.
3. Roller Coaster of Renovations:
- With dreams of refurbishing his restaurant and the means to do so finally in place, Daniel embarked on this adventure filled with budget DIY solutions, family tile-laying sessions, and personal news that turned his world upside down.
4. Great British Humour:
- Delve into the hilarious behind-the-scenes of Daniel's participation in the Great British Menu, where a "red nose" concept for Comic Relief led him on a whimsical journey of creativity, confusion, and culinary brilliance.
5. Misadventures in France:
- Parisian kitchens may sound glamorous, but Daniel’s experience was more sitcom than haute cuisine! Language barriers, a surprise job offer over lunch, and a Japanese colleague who spoke neither English nor French made for riotous tales.
6. Wine, Dine, and Punchlines:
- From disastrous wine pairings to final triumphs, Daniel's observations on dining mishaps and personal preferences will have you chuckling (and perhaps rethinking your next fish dish).
7. Love, Life & Laughter:
- Hear about meeting his wife and the roller coaster ride that followed—a blend of highs, lows, and lessons in happiness and balance—a heart-warming tale perfect for the festive season.
Don't miss this unofficial Christmas special, a joyous gift wrapped in humour, warmth, and the remarkable journey of one of the culinary world's finest!
Grab your cocoa, settle in by the fire, and join us for a laughter-filled feast of stories and insights with Daniel Clifford. It's the perfect Christmas treat—from our hearts to your ears! 🎉🎄
The Guest
Daniel Clifford is the Chef Patron of 2 Michelin Starred Midsummer House
Instagram (Daniel) - @midsummerchef
Instagram (Restaurant) - @midsummer_house_
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
In this cheerful and engaging episode of Hospitality Meets, Phil catches up with the delightful Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA (https://www.hospa.org/). Get ready for a conversation filled with laughter, intriguing experiences, and valuable insights into the world of hospitality.
Highlights:
1. Career Pathways and Unexpected Turns:
- Jane takes us through her colourful journey in the hospitality industry, complete with unexpected opportunities and memorable moments. Whether it's working a night shift in a party dress after attending a friend's 21st birthday or recounting her time temping at Channel 4 News, Jane's path is nothing short of eclectic.
2. Tips for Public Speaking:
- Jane shares her tips for conquering stage fright, drawing from her experience hosting a conference with no live audience.
3. The Human Element in Hospitality:
- Jane and Phil reflect on what makes the hospitality industry so special: its human-centric, team-oriented environment. Both have left and returned to hospitality, unable to resist its camaraderie and vibrant nature.
Funny Moments:
- Straight Face Mishaps: Jane shares a hilarious story from her early career about keeping a straight face at the reception desk during a particularly amusing incident.
- Chair Tumble Tale: Phil relates his own funny experience, falling off a chair while working on a cruise ship. It's a moment of shared laughter about the unpredictable nature of work in hospitality.
- Night audit in party dress: Jane recounts a story of conducting the night audit on the back of a 21st birthday party!
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace Unexpected Opportunities: Jane's career is a testament to being open to unexpected turns and opportunities. From temp jobs to key industry roles, embracing the unpredictable has led her to fulfilling positions.
- Conquer Public Speaking with Practice: Jane’s transformation into a confident speaker, especially highlighted by hosting a virtual conference, underscores the value of practice and visualisation in conquering public speaking fears.
- Strong Personal Connections: Both Jane and Phil emphasise the strong, lasting personal connections within the hospitality industry, which often feels like a close-knit family despite its competitive nature.
Tune in to this episode for a blend of humour, heartfelt reflections, and insights that any hospitality professional—or anyone with a love for a good story—will enjoy. Don't miss Jane's entertaining anecdotes and Phil's relatable experiences that make this an episode full of smiles and learning moments!
The Guest
Jane has worked with HOSPA (the Hospitality Professionals Association) for many years and has been CEO for over 8 years.
HOSPA is a not-for-profit membership organisation for commercial leaders involved in finance, technology, revenue management and marketing alongside hospitality business owners and their representatives.
Having gained a degree in hospitality management, Jane worked in both chain and independent hotels before becoming a supplier of technology to the industry.
She is an enthusiastic supporter of hospitality businesses and the myriad of people who work within them. Jane likes to add her positive voice to promote the industry far and wide.
https://www.instagram.com/hospa_/
https://www.linkedin.com/school/hospa/
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
🎙️ About This Episode:
Get ready to dive into an episode brimming with laughter, heartfelt stories, and eye-opening revelations! I sat down for a candid chat with Professor Peter Jones MBE, a hospitality industry guru with a heart of gold and a knack for comedic storytelling.
📰 Here’s What You’ll Discover:
- The Art of Inclusion: Peter shares how inviting employees to explain tasks to new team members—especially those with disabilities—not only boosts team performance but also turns mundane tasks into a collective learning experience. Who knew improving professionalism could be so fun?
- A Journey Through History & Comedy: From serendipitously walking into an army recruiting office to managing massive catering events for royalty in Germany, Peter’s career path is as entertaining as it is inspiring. There's more than a few raspberries in here.
- Breaking Barriers: Peter’s mission to challenge traditional views on disability employment isn’t just inspiring; it’s bang on point. Learn how a grateful interaction with a deaf doorman in India and a loyal trainee at Crumbs have turned traditional notions upside down.
- Theatre of Hospitality: Phil and Peter explore the concept of the hospitality industry as a grand stage, where confidence, professionalism, and a dash of showmanship can make all the difference. And let’s face it, nothing builds confidence like serving the Queen herself!
- Outwitting the Odds: Hear how Peter’s innovative approach in transforming a Georgian building into a four-star hotel, despite several setbacks, showcases the power of persistence and a good sense of humour.
💼 Key Takeaways:
- Improving Through Inclusion: Involving team members in training fosters a culture of continuous improvement and inclusion. Plus, it’s a great way to bond over shared knowledge and a few laughs.
- Finding Joy in the Journey: Peter’s career is a testament to embracing unexpected opportunities and finding humour in the challenges. Whether in the army or hospitality, a good laugh can open many doors (and hearts).
- Breaking Down Barriers: Employing individuals with disabilities isn’t just good for inclusivity—it's good for business. Discover how integrating diverse talents can lead to surprising moments of joy and loyalty.
- Confidence is Key: In the world of hospitality (and in life), confidence can make you stand out. Building a professional, confidence-boosting environment is crucial, and having a bit of fun along the way doesn’t hurt!
- Persistence Pays Off: From initial failures to ultimate triumphs, Peter’s story highlights the importance of persistence, innovation, and a bit of comedic resilience.
Join us for an episode that’s as informative as it is entertaining, with a few laughs along the way! Whether you’re in hospitality, education, or just love a good story, Peter Jones will leave you inspired and smiling.
The Guest
Professor Peter A Jones, MBE DSc(Hon) FIH FCGI FRACA
Peter Jones is the chair of the Crumbs Project. A disability charity that provides hospitality education and training for adults with learning and mental health disabilities. Peter has been involved with the charity for some years and is a powerful advocate and champion for creating professional opportunities for those with disabilities who are often overlooked at the margins of society.
Peter has enjoyed a varied professional career in various army, industry and higher education appointments.
He is a published academic and edited a number of academic and professional journals. He has chaired and been a member of professional and government bodies in the UK, Australia and Lithuania. His professional projects included as the Project Director for the development of the Edge Hotel School.
He is currently Chair of the Professional Review Panel of the Institute of Hospitality, Chair of Gate College Academic Council (Nepal), Board Advisor of the International Association of Hotel Schools (EUHOFA), Special Advisor to Kathmandu University, a Director of Missenden Abbey, Academic Director of eHotelier, a member of the Institute of Hospitality DEIB Council, and a Trustee of the Savoy Educational Trust.
He was made Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to the hospitality industry ion 2007 and most recently won the Education and Training Catey 2024.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-peter-jones-55185513/
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Well, have I got an absolute feast for your ears today!
I welcomed the incomparable Kate Austen to the show. Kate is a culinary maven whose journey from a kitchen newbie has taken her on to become the youngest ever 2 Michelin Starred Female head chef and the First Female to win the main course at the awesomeness that is, The Great British Menu. Join us as we dive into Kate's hilarious anecdotes, heartfelt reflections, and invaluable industry insights.
🍴 Highlights of the Episode:
1. From "Naïve" to Notable:
- Kate describes her audacious entry into the culinary world, walking into Michelin-starred restaurants in Norfolk without any culinary training. Bold move or sheer naivety? You decide!
2. Underestimated & Unstoppable:
- Despite starting with minimal skills, Kate's determination and willingness to learn turned scepticism into admiration. An inspiring reminder that perseverance can ultimately triumph over doubt.
3. Competition Camaraderie:
- Relive the intense, yet camaraderie-filled Great British Menu with Kate. Learn how an 11-week wait, nerve-wracking moments, and a supportive crew turned a high-pressure environment into a lifelong memory.
4. Career Transitions & Travels:
- From Michelin-star kitchens to private chef gigs, Kate's career transitions offer valuable lessons on flexibility. Plus, enjoy some light-hearted Scandinavian kitchen stories – fish bones and freezing water, anyone?
5. Mastering Scandinavian Techniques:
- Kate shares her thrill at mastering new pickling and preserving methods in Scandinavian kitchens, elevating her culinary skills to new heights.
6. The Perks of Being a Chef:
- Whether it's free food and drink or forming incredible friendships, Kate and Phil explore the delightful advantages of life in hospitality. Who knew that such perks could be a key motivator?
7. Leadership Evolution:
- Delve into the 'then and now' of kitchen leadership. Kate champions respect over fear, shaping a new, supportive culture in the culinary world.
Hilarious Moments:
1. Intern Pranks:
- Laugh along as Kate recalls a time when an intern was tricked into washing fishbones and freezing water – we've all been there.
2. Competition Woes:
- Join the fun as Kate recounts the logistical chaos during a farmer's strike in Paris. You'll be surprised at what chefs can overcome with a little teamwork and a lot of
Key Takeaways:
1. Perseverance Pays Off:
- Despite starting with no culinary experience, Kate's journey is a testament to the power of persistence and learning from every experience.
2. Industry Adaptability:
- Flexibility and adaptation are crucial in the ever-evolving culinary world. Kate's transition from restaurant kitchens to private chef gigs exemplifies this.
3. Leadership with Heart:
- Kate advocates for respectful and supportive leadership, moving away from the traditional authoritarian kitchen culture typical of Michelin-starred environments.
4. Embrace the Journey:
- Whether facing long hours, low pay, or challenging competition, Kate’s story highlights the growth that comes from overcoming adversity.
Tune in to this episode of Hospitality Meets for a delicious blend of humour, heart, and hard-earned wisdom from the culinary trenches. Bon appétit!
Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends and fellow foodies!
The Guest
Kate Austen is the youngest ever 2 star female head chef. She is also the first female to win the main course at the Great British menu Banquet.
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kate_f_austen/
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Welcome to an hilarious and insightful episode of Hospitality Meets! In this episode I got to sit down with Linden Beattie, the lively General Manager of Downhall Hotel, Spa, and Estateand AA Hotel of the Year 2024🌟🌟🌟
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through Linden's journey from aspiring RAF recruit to hospitality aficionado, peppered with laughs, wisdom, and eye-opening industry insights.
Episode Highlights:1. The Unexpected Career Turn:
- 🌟RAF Rejection:
Discover how an 18-year-old Linden, on the brink of signing a nine-year RAF contract, had a life-changing epiphany while working front-of-house. Spoiler: It involves discovering a newfound love for hospitality and ditching military drills for hotel thrills.
- 🏨
- Pretty Woman Dreams:
Phil and Linden bond over childhood fantasies inspired by movie hotels, though Phil’s practical experiences at his family's small Scottish hotel didn’t quite match the silver screen's allure.
2. Hilarious & Heartfelt Hospitality Tales:
- 😂
- Hotel Humour at Its Finest:
- Laugh along with Linden as he recalls the North Wales hotel owner who had a unique way of handling unruly guests—a true testament to the adage "the customer is always the customer, not always right."
- 👩🍳
- From KP to GM:
- Ease into the comical yet earnest recollections of Linden's humble beginnings as a kitchen porter at age 11. This foundational role prepared him for the diverse, sometimes dramatic stages of hotel management.
3. Career Challenges & Comedic Solutions:
- 🌍
- Big Moves & Bigger Lessons:
- Follow Linden's daring decisions to move from cosy hotels to large resorts. Learn how his role at Cambridge Quy Mill Hotel brought not just challenges but opportunities to shine, leading to inventive PR strategies involving music events that outshined traditional campaigns.
- 🎵
- Musical Masterstrokes:
- Linden’s innovative idea to swap a hefty PR budget for local music nights was a hit! Listen to how these free-entry community events turned into sell-out successes, proving sometimes the best publicity is homegrown and heartfelt.
4. Personal & Professional Growth:
- 🌱
- Nurturing Environments:
- Dive deep into discussions on the importance of supportive, nurturing work settings in shaping and retaining hospitality talent. Linden’s transition from toxic kitchen environments to spaces that fostered trust and confidence reveal the industry’s dual nature.
- 📈
- Leadership Evolution:
- Learn about Linden's transformation from micromanager to a collaborative leader. His “1:3:1 problem-solving rule” shifted his team towards independent thinking and collective solutions, paving the way for smoother operations and happier staff.
5. Downhall Delights:
- 🍸
- Estate Innovations:
- Unveil the wonders at Downhall, where Linden’s team distils their own gin and vodka, cultivates honey, and offers exclusive handpicked teas. Upcoming projects like a new kitchen garden dining concept and a woodland spa hint at exciting future ventures.
- 🏆
- Award-Winning Excellence:
- Celebrate Downhall winning the AA Hotel of the Year award. Hear how this accolade has boosted morale and business, alongside tales of the team’s dedication and the owner’s unwavering support.
Join Phil and Linden as they blend humour, heartfelt moments, and hospitality wisdom into an episode that promises to entertain while offering valuable insights. Perfect for industry insiders and enthusiasts alike!
Be sure to subscribe to Hospitality Meets and never miss an episode brimming with compelling stories and industry secrets.
Got a hospitality story to share? Connect with us on social media and join the conversation!
The Guest
Linden Beattie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/linden-beattie-3ab23a91/
Downhall Instagram - down_hall
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Summary:
This week, Phil sits down with master baker and founder of Bread Ahead (https://www.breadahead.com), Matthew Jones for an episode packed with laughter and life lessons. From cheeky kitchen pranks to the transformative power of baking, Matthew’s stories offer a delightful mix of humour and heartfelt insights. Get ready to be entertained by tales of culinary chaos and inspired by Matthew’s journey from pastry novice to successful bakery mogul.
Highlights of the Episode:
Pastry Work and Meditation:
- Phil and Matthew explore the zen-like state one can achieve through the repetitive, skilled labour of baking. Matthew shares his experiences of rolling croissants at lightning speed while being in a meditative state, emphasising the serenity found in mastering a craft.
Kitchen Pranks and Mishaps:
- Prepare to laugh out loud as Matthew recounts his infamous faux crème brûlée prank involving parsnip puree and Tabasco, which accidentally found its way to a restaurant customer's table. This story is a hilarious reminder of the unpredictable fun in a professional kitchen.
From Struggles to Success:
- Matthew candidly discusses his battle with alcoholism and how he rebuilt his life and career with Bread Ahead. His journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of baking, both professionally and personally.
Three Key Takeaways:
Mastery Before Meditation:
- Achieving a meditative state through work is possible, but it requires dedication and skill mastery first. Whether baking croissants or practicing any craft, time and effort are essential ingredients for tranquillity.
Live, Laugh, Bake:
Humour and fun can be integral parts of the kitchen environment. Even amidst the high-pressure demands of culinary work, moments of levity and playful pranks can create lasting memories and camaraderie.
Personal Growth and Redemption:
- Overcoming personal struggles, such as addiction, can lead to profound personal and professional evolution. Matthew’s story from battling alcoholism to establishing a successful bakery illustrates the potential for recovery and growth.
Tune in for an episode that blends the joy of baking with heartfelt personal reflections, packed with laughs and invaluable life lessons.
The Guest
Matthew Jones - Founder and owner of Bread Ahead Bakery in Borough Market, London. A passionate baker and entrepreneur, Matthew's journey from turbulent times to triumphant success is as inspiring as it is entertaining. He is currently working on his memoir, "How Baking Saved My Life," and a children's Christmas book, "The Magical Mince Pies."
Instagram - @breadaheadbakery
X - @BreadAhead
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/breadaheadbakeryschool
Show Partners
A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Someone once said to me that coffee tastes better when it's doing some good. Well today, we can apply that same mindset to Tea.
Summary: In this engaging and insightful episode of "Hospitality Meets," Phil sits down with the inspiring Roshana Gammampila, who shares her incredible journey from a corporate career in London to managing a tea estate in Sri Lanka. This episode is filled with fascinating discussions, enlightening takeaways, and a sprinkle of fun as Roshana dives into the world of tea, sustainability, and social impact.
Key Takeaways:
-
Cultural Connections and Challenges:
-
Roshana talks about Sri Lanka's Palm Tee community, their economic struggles, and the importance of fair compensation for tea producers.
-
Discover the traditional methods in tea production and the effort to revolutionize it for modern sustainability.
-
Entrepreneurial Journey:
-
Roshana shares her unique career path, from international aid to corporate tech and finally to entrepreneurship in the tea industry.
-
Learn how her background in social justice and non-linear career moves have shaped her approach to business.
-
The Farm-to-Table Model:
-
A deep dive into Roshana’s vision for a farm-to-table tea brand in the UK, aiming to shorten supply chains and improve economic outcomes for tea workers.
-
Understand the benefits of this model, including lower consumer prices, better retailer margins, and higher quality products.
-
Life Transition:
-
The episode sheds light on Roshana's personal shifts, influenced by family moves and adopting two sons, highlighting the balance between work and unexpected parental responsibilities.
-
Tea Industry Insights:
-
Eye-opening details about the financial and physical struggles in the tea industry, focusing on the disparity of earnings between producers and retailers.
-
Fun fact: The origin story behind the vanilla-infused tea that Roshana's estate produces, inspired by Melbourne's tea culture.
-
Product and Packaging:
-
Roshana’s dedication to sustainability shines through as she explains the 100% biodegradable packaging of their products.
-
Hear about the painstaking process of perfecting the tea product, tackling issues like the drying process for quality consistency.
-
Future Horizons:
-
The exciting future plans for mainstream retail distribution and partnerships in hospitality for in-room tea services.
- Roshana reveals upcoming opportunities for online purchases, making their delicious and ethically produced teas more accessible.
Fun Moments:
- Phil enjoying a cup of Roshana's vanilla-infused tea during the interview.
- Roshana reflecting on the unpredictability and learning experiences of running a tea estate.
- The surprising realisation of career alignment with her early aspirations, making for a heart warming listen.
Listen Now: Join Phil and Roshana for an episode that not only delves into serious social and industry issues but also brims with personal stories, passion for tea, and ambitions to create meaningful change. Tune in for a delightful, informative, and inspiring conversation!
Contact & Follow:
Guest:
Roshana Gammampila - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/devagiri_estate/
Devagiri Estate - https://www.devagiri-teas.com/
Don't miss this heartfelt and inspiring episode to get your dose of motivation and perhaps a sip of something new and refreshing!
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
We're thrilled to announce the latest episode of Hospitality Meets featuring the truly brilliant James Peck, MD of Ember Restaurant, No13 Cocktail Bar and The Four Pears Pub! 🤩
There's a story as to how James and I met which I retell in the podcast but join us for a delightful blend of fun, laughter, and insightful conversations.
Here are some highlights you won't want to miss:
1⃣ Kitchen Comedy: You’ll chuckle too hard at James's story about accidentally stabbing his hand while multitasking during an opening week—let's just say it was a sharp lesson in focusing on one task at a time! 😂🖐️
2⃣ Team Spirit: Dive into how the supportive and inclusive environment at Restaurant Ember not only keeps the kitchen calm and organised but also fosters creativity and dedication among the chefs. Teamwork truly makes the dream work! 👨🍳👩🍳
3⃣ Mentorship Magic: Hear James reflect on his transition from the military to the culinary world and how his journey shaped his leadership style. He's a true advocate for constructive feedback and has some real gems on team development and mentorship. 🌟
4⃣ Resilience and Growth: From packed meal mishaps in the army to winning accolades in high-pressure cooking competitions, James’s journey is a testament to grit and growth. His anecdotes, including the humorous "courgettes and cucumbers" sandwich saga, are both inspiring and endearing.
Don't miss this episode that perfectly balances humour, wisdom, and the essence of hospitality! Tune in now and let us know your favourite takeaway! 🎧📈
Enjoy!
The Guest
Instagram - jamespecckk
Restaurant Ember - https://www.instagram.com/embernenecourt/
No13 Bar - https://www.instagram.com/no13_bar/
The Four Pears - https://www.instagram.com/thefourpears/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
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Hospitality Meets - Episode 200Welcome to the 200th episode of "Hospitality Meets"! In this landmark celebration, we delve into some of the best bits from the last 100 episodes including the extravagant tales, pivotal moments, missteps and inspiring journeys shared by our incredible guests. Each story is a testament to the laughter, dedication, creativity, and resilience inherent in the world of hospitality.
What you can expect in this episode (Bed in, it's epic!):- Eddy Tannous haircut disasters * Bharti Radix scary board room meetings * Phil Howard and working underwater * Jane Sunley and naught dry store tales * Phil Street and the Full Monty * Sally Beck Rescuing high profile deals * Tim Andrews tale of ultimate humanity * Benoit Blin and his bagpipe music * Peter Hancock's celebrity master chef bungle * Patricia Dickie and Surreal rock star moments * Guillaume Marly buying monkeys * Veryan Palmer and the eccentric requests of poodles * Zoe Watts and brushes with royalty * Shereen Ritchie and Virtual Call mishaps * Andrew Evers and technological liars * Andrew Stembridge and learning a careers worth of experience in 18 months * Michelle Whittemore and high calibre wardrobe malfunctions * Matt Townley and James Bonds clothes * Robert Cook and Lord Rupert Whoopsie * Olajide Alabi on becoming an unwanted poster boy * Danny Pecorelli and massive wedding cakes, Johnny Wilkinson & Cameron Diaz * Trudi Parr and Email Campaigns * Claire Coghill and putting fires out... literally * David Taylor and working on Nights * Adrian Martin and being flung in the deep end * Adam Handling and his Great British Menu journey * Conor O'Leary and the Ferret * Robin Hutson on Hotel Du Vin Start-up * Raymond Blanc* and the ultimate tale of boldness
I'm sure I've missed many others but without question, hearing all of my guests anecdotes and stories has been the real highlight for me.
Join us as we celebrate the essence of hospitality through these captivating stories and revelations. Thank you for being part of our journey to 200 episodes! Here's to many more extraordinary tales and triumphs of laughter and learning in the world of hospitality.
Enjoy!
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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In this lively episode, I sat down with the multifaceted The Rt Honourable The Viscount Thurso, also known as quite simply, John (Watch how I blunder that at the beginning). This episode takes listeners on a rollercoaster ride through John's unconventional career, filled with hilarious anecdotes, unique experiences, and invaluable leadership insights. From mastering the art of hospitality to navigating the political landscape, John shares his wisdom with a touch of humour that makes this episode a delightful listen.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership through Experience and Mentorship: John's career showcases the importance of hands-on experience and learning from mentors. His journey from a dishwasher at his father's hotel to high-stake management roles exemplifies how diverse experiences can shape a unique leadership style.
- Ingenuity in Business Solutions: Highlighting his creative turnaround at Champneys, John discusses the development of the “Founders Club” to replace problematic timeshare agreements. This inventive approach underlines the significance of adaptability and innovative thinking in business.
- Valuing Hospitality Skills Beyond the Industry: John talks about how his children leveraged hospitality skills in their diverse careers, emphasising that traits like empathy and customer service excellence are universally valuable. His points underline that hospitality offers foundational skills that can enhance any professional journey.
Fun and Humorous Highlights:
- Butcher's Icebreaker: One of the standout humorous moments is John recounting his time in the butcher's shop, where he offered chewing tobacco to his colleagues, a gesture that earned him an unexpected acceptance.
- Pub Shenanigans: John shares a pub experience where he became part of the group after a lead butcher vouched for him. Friendship formed amidst laughter, blending work with camaraderie.
- Paris Misadventures: Despite starting his job in Paris with a non-existent command of French, a light-hearted tale ensues as John undertakes a crash course in French, just two weeks before his move. His recounting of humorous conversations with a Glaswegian colleague in French adds a comedic flair to his professional struggles.
Tune in for: A perfect blend of humour and wisdom, this episode is a treasure trove of life lessons, career advice, and laugh-out-loud moments. Whether you’re in hospitality or any other field, John's stories are bound to leave you inspired and entertained.
The Guest
John Archibald Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso, known as John Thurso, is a Scottish businessman, Liberal Democrat politician, and hereditary peer. Born in 1953, he was educated at Eton College and spent much of his early career in the tourism and hospitality industry, managing prominent hotels and serving as CEO of the Champneys Group. Thurso first entered Parliament in 1995 as a hereditary peer in the House of Lords, serving until the House of Lords Act 1999 removed most hereditary peers.
In 2001, he was elected as the MP for Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross, a seat he held until 2015. During his time in the House of Commons, he served as chair of the Finance and Services Committee. After losing his seat in 2015, he returned to the House of Lords in 2016 and later became Lord Lieutenant of Caithness. He has also chaired VisitScotland since 2016 and holds leadership roles in tourism and hospitality organisations and now holds the President role at the Institute of Hospitality.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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In this lively and insightful episode of "Hospitality Meets," I welcomed the ever-engaging Conor O'Leary, the Managing Director at the iconic Gleneagles Hotel. Buckle up for a mix of humour, wild anecdotes, and invaluable career lessons as Conor takes us on his remarkable journey through the world of hospitality!
Highlights from the Episode:From Tokyo Dreams to Dubai Realities:
Conor shares his career trajectory, initially planning a move to Tokyo but ultimately finding himself in the bustling hospitality scene of Dubai. Three years at the Grand Hyatt offered immense growth and solidified his interest in international markets.
The Return to the UK:
Despite initial hesitations about returning home, the compelling vision of Gleneagles' new ownership lured Conor back to the UK in 2016. He discusses the thrilling transformation of Gleneagles from a golf hotel to a luxury lifestyle destination.
Crazy Ferret Fiascos:
Ever curious about how a stray ferret can upend an evening? Conor narrates his hilarious encounter with a ferret found at home, detailing the ensuing chaos with his dog, cat, and daughter's reactions. This amusing story alone is worth the listen!
Leadership and Cultural Adaptations:
Conor and Phil delve into the importance of adapting leadership styles to different cultural environments, contrasting Dubai’s top-down approach with London’s employee-centric style. Conor emphasises communication and flexibility as key leadership traits.
Early Career Missteps and Learnings:
From misadvising guests on wine to confronting a chef about his sauce, Conor's early days were filled with learning curves. His proactive approach to self-improvement, like buying culinary guides, highlights a thirst for knowledge that listeners will find inspiring.
Hospitality's Sliding Doors:
Conor reflects on pivotal career decisions, like working at the Royal Garden Hotel and later choosing between roles in Hong Kong and the Ritz in London. These “sliding door moments” shaped his path, offering listeners insights into the significance of career choices.
From Beefeaters to Banquets:
Stories from his early years, including working at a beefeater restaurant and managing bustling banqueting events, illustrate the wide array of experiences that have built Conor’s robust hospitality expertise.
Gleneagles’ Transformation:
Hear about the substantial investment and renovations at Gleneagles after its acquisition by a dedicated private family. The addition of 55+ activities and a shift towards a family-friendly luxury experience under Conor's leadership is nothing short of inspiring.
Join Phil and Conor for an episode that perfectly blends profound takeaways with humorous tales from the hospitality trenches. Whether you’re in the industry or simply enjoy a well-told story, this episode offers a delightful dose of both!
Tune in now and get ready for a fascinating ride!
Make sure to subscribe to "Hospitality Meets" for more captivating conversations with industry leaders and follow us on social media for the latest updates. Have a funny hospitality story or key takeaway from this episode? Share it with us using #HospitalityMeets.
The Guest
Conor’s hospitality career began in London’s bustling bar and restaurant scene, which led to senior F&B and leadership roles in some of the UK and the Middle East’s finest five-star hotels.
Immediately prior to joining the team, he led the Hyatt group’s largest food and beverage operation in the world at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai.
A Master Innholder, a St Julian Scholar and an honorary member of the Academy of Culinary Arts, Conor joined Gleneagles as Hotel Manager in 2016 before being promoted to General Manager. He took the reins as Managing Director shortly thereafter to lead the team through the biggest period of change and investment in the hotel’s 100-year history including a five-year renovation programme and the launch of a brand-new hotel and members’ club, Gleneagles Townhouse, in Edinburgh.
During this time, Conor has led Gleneagles to win a host of industry awards, including The Times and Sunday Times ‘Hotel of The Year’ 2024; No.10 Best Resorts in the World in the 2023 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards; Best Hotel in the World in Virtuoso’s Best of the Best Awards 2022; Golf World Magazine’s No.1 Golf Resort in Britain & Ireland, 2019 – 2023; and Employer of the Year in the 2024 Cateys. He’s been ranked among the 50 most influential people in British Luxury Brands in the Walpole Power List and was named Hotelier of the Year in the 2023 Hotel Cateys.
In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen approved the appointment of Conor as Honorary Catering Advisor to the Ministry of Defence, which saw him taking the rank of major general (hon) to independently review and report on catering in the British Armed Forces.
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/conor-o-leary-38820571
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/conor_ol/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of "Hospitality Meets," we join Phil as he walks alongside the legendary Charlie Hodson, an unwavering advocate for mental health in the hospitality industry. Together, they embark on a meaningful walk for well-being in support of Hospitality Action, an organization that played a pivotal role in saving Charlie's life.
Key Points:Introduction and Setting:
Phil shares his excitement about taking this unique episode format on the road, literally, with his close friend Charlie Hodson.
Walk for Well-Being:
Charlie reveals the inspiration behind the "Walk for Well-Being" initiative, conceived by Craig Prentice to promote mental health and community support post-lockdown.
Personal Journey:
Charlie openly discusses his personal battles with mental health, alcoholism, and how Hospitality Action became his lifeline.
Support and Impact:
Phil and Charlie delve into the importance of supporting Hospitality Action and the positive impact it has on countless lives within the hospitality sector.
Challenges and Determination:
Despite his monumental aversion to walking, Charlie set out on an ambitious trek from Norwich to Battersea Park, driven by his desire to give back and raise awareness about mental health.
Public Support:
The overwhelming support from friends, strangers, and the wider community has been a beacon of encouragement for Charlie throughout his journey.
Overcoming Obstacles:
Charlie shares the physical and emotional obstacles he faced during the walk, emphasising the parallels to challenges in mental health and resilience.
Call to Action:
The episode wraps up with heartfelt advice from Charlie: ask, listen, and support those struggling with mental health. Remember, help is always available from organisations like Hospitality Action and the Samaritans.
Quotes:Charlie encapsulates the essence of the journey with this powerful message:
“If between all of us... we can help change just one life through what I think is going to end up being about 151 miles of walking and talking and sharing... surely, is that not what we should all be thinking about?”
Links & Resources: Hospitality Action: * Website * Donations: * Support Charlie’s Walk for Well-Being here * Samaritans: * Samaritans * or call 116 123 (UK & ROI) * Charlies Original Story* * https://www.hospitalitymeets.co.uk/171-hospitality-meets-charlie-hodson-the-light-that-exists-after-the-dark/
Join Phil and Charlie on this remarkable journey, and together, let's bring hope, support, and a voice to those in need within our hospitality family. Listen to the full episode to immerse yourself in this extraordinary story of resilience and brotherhood.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Today, we have a remarkable guest joining us — Claire Llewellin-Davis, the dynamic Managing Director of The Lensbury. Claire's journey is a fascinating tale of resilience, adaptability, and bold career moves.
✨ In This Episode:
Adventures in Language and Lands
- From studying languages in France and Germany to teaching in Japan, Claire's story kicks off with vibrant globe-trotting adventures that would make even Carmen Sandiego jealous.
Military Makeover
- Learn how Claire transitioned to military life. Ever wondered about staying awake for 56 hours? Claire spills the beans on her transformative training at Sandhurst, where resilience was the name of the game.
Cherie Blair Drama
- Imagine inviting Cherie Blair to talk at a place with a very, very traditional audience. Claire shares the juicy details of how she managed to win over skeptics and even had the club's chairman swooning!
To Hong Kong and Beyond
- Get a taste of Claire's high-stakes management during political unrest in Hong Kong. And the shift to a more tranquil life in Singapore—paddling pools indoors anyone?
Family First
- How COVID-19 changed everything! Claire opens up about personal loss and re-evaluating priorities. Plus, how a spontaneous escapade in Malaysia and Vietnam led her back to the UK.
Lensbury Bound
- Discover the award-winning Lensbury resort, a blend of heritage, sports, and leisure excellence—even England's Lionesses took a liking to it! Claire's vision of rejuvenating the historic club is nothing short of inspiring.
🌟 Key Takeaways:
Resilience and Adaptability
- Claire's military training taught her to remain calm under pressure—handy when faced with tear gas or a room full of critical club members.
Diverse Experiences Enrich Hospitality
- Phil and Claire discuss how bringing people from different industry backgrounds into hospitality makes the industry richer and more adaptive.
Humour and Humanity
- Balancing intense responsibilities with light-hearted moments, Claire exemplifies why attitude and a willingness to learn are the ultimate secrets to success.
Don’t miss this exciting ride through Claire Llewellin-Davis' remarkable journey filled with globetrotting, tear gas, high-profile events, and the serene beauty of the Lensbury resort.
Tune in for some laughs, insights, and inspiration!
The Guest
Claire Llewellin-Davis is the Managing Director at the Lensbury
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/claire-llewellin-davis
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Episode Overview:This week I was lucky enough to grab some time with for an entertaining and insightful conversation with the eminently engaging Imran Hussain, the innovative Chief Marketing Officer of Chateau Denmark (https://www.chateaudenmark.com). This episode of “Hospitality Meets” sheds light on the quirky, unpredictable, and exciting world of hospitality, capped with laughter and memorable anecdotes.
Episode Highlights: Behind-the-Scenes Comedy * : Imran shares a hilarious story of his early career mishap, where he printed "canopies" instead of "canapés" on 3,000 invitations, teaching him a lifelong lesson on attention to detail. * Energetic Conversation * : The banter between Phil and Imran is infectious, from joking about creating a superhero squad named “Superheroes of Stupidity” to witty remarks about Shoreditch's dynamic past and transformation. * Charisma and Passion* * : Passionate about architecture and community, Imran shares his heartfelt reflections on the evolution of Kings Cross and his latest ventures at Chateau Denmark, turning historic spaces into modern, culturally rich hospitality experiences.
Key Takeaways:The Art of Learning from Mistakes:
- Imran's story about the "canapés" mishap remains a stellar example of humility and owning one’s mistakes. It’s a reminder that errors, no matter how embarrassing, are invaluable learning moments in one's career.
Innovative and Ageless Hospitality:
- The shared philosophy that hospitality is not just a job but a calling shines through. Imran and Phil both echo the importance of embracing the unpredictability, ongoing learning, and excitement that come with creating exceptional guest experiences.
Community and Cultural Integration:
- Imran’s vivid storytelling about projects like Chateau Denmark and The Pilgrim reveals his dedication to creating hospitality spaces that respect and enhance their neighbourhood's essence, emphasising the deep interconnection between a hotel and its surrounding community.
Don’t Miss: Phil’s visit to Chateau Denmark * : Get first-hand insights into what makes this place uniquely captivating. * Imran’s Career Influences * : Discover how a coffee table book and a general manager named Michael changed the trajectory of Imran’s career. * Humorous Reflections* * : Enjoy the contagious laughter and light-hearted exchanges that make this episode a treat to listen to.
Stay tuned for more enlightening conversations every Wednesday at 08:00 p.m. on your favorite podcast platform!
Listen and Subscribe:Make sure to subscribe to “Hospitality Meets” and share this episode with fellow hospitality enthusiasts. Follow us for more episodes filled with industry insights, humour, and inspiring stories.
Get ready to laugh, learn, and be inspired by the incredible journey of Imran Hussain in this week's episode of “Hospitality Meets”!
The Guest
Imran Hussain is the Chief Marketing Officer at Chateau Denmark
Instagram - @imran_hussain
Chateau Denmark - @chateaudenmark
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Join us for a laughter-packed and enlightening episode I dive into the captivating world of Trudi Parr, Head of People at Mollie's (https://mollies.com). Trudi takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the hysterical, the surreal, and the downright cool moments that define her journey in the hospitality industry.
🎤 In This Episode:
- High-Profile Shenanigans: Trudi spills the beans on the unique perks and backstage drama of working at iconic events like Radio 1's Big Weekend and Glastonbury. From managing surprise acts to the secret world of talent logistics, you'll hear stories that'll make you laugh out loud and wish you were there.
- Pink Floyd & Private Soundchecks: Phil recounts a jaw-dropping anecdote from episode one with Chris Fletcher, where Chris witnessed a private Pink Floyd soundcheck at Hard Rock in Hyde Park. Imagine having one of the greatest rock bands play just for you!
- Mistaken Identity at Paddington Station: Prepare for a hearty laugh as Trudi recounts a hilarious incident where she mistook Duncan from the boy band Blue for a friend at a train station. Classic mix-up, classic humour!
- Innovation with the best: Moving beyond the glitz, Trudi delves into building Mollie's—a new, cool, accessible, motel and diner brand from the mind SOHO House titan, Nick Jones. Hear about their next big opening in Manchester and the quirky, high-quality offerings at their existing sites.
- Celebrity Sightings & Serendipity: Get ready for more celebrity stories, including liaisons at Celtic Manor’s celebrity golf event, and Phil’s newbie days at London’s Coco nightclub, where politeness from Simon Webbe of Blue stole the show.
- Embarrassing Blunders: Nothing beats learning from mishaps! Trudi spills on accidentally sending a personal email to her MD and the amusing yet instructive feedback she got. Plus, cringe along with Phil’s email typo that charmed clients despite its excruciating error.
- The Heart of Hospitality: Beyond the anecdotes, Trudi reflects on the essence of her career, her transition into people management post-COVID, and finding joy in the day-to-day interactions that make this industry special.
- Manifesting Goals & Career Pivots: Discover how career visualisation and intentional breaks led Trudi to her current role, stressing the value of alignment between personal values and professional paths.
- Resilience & Reinvention: Trudi’s candid take on the personal growth spurred by the pandemic, embracing life’s serendipitous journeys, and the importance of genuine human connections in your work.
Tune in to this episode for a perfect blend of humour, heartfelt moments, and invaluable insights from one of hospitality’s most dynamic figures. Whether you're in the industry or just love a good story, this one’s a guaranteed treat!
Subscribe, listen, and laugh—it’s all happening right here on Hospitality Meets! 🎉
The Guest
Trudi Parr is the Head of People & Development for Mollie's
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudi-parr/
Mollies - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/molliesmotels/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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In the latest episode, Phil brings you an engaging and humour-infused conversation with Andrew Evers, the charismatic Group Director of IT for Rocco Forte Hotels. Grab your popcorn and settle in for an entertaining journey through technology mishaps, personal growth, and the evolving role of IT in hospitality.
Key Highlights:
1. Telephone Tales: Andrew welcomes Phil to the iconic Alexander Graham Bell suite at Brown's Hotel in London. Did you know this suite is named after the first telephone call made from (or to) the hotel? Imagine the chaos if they had mis plugged cables back then!
2. IT – Not Just Fixers Anymore: Andrew shares how the so-called IT department has metamorphosed into the all-encompassing technology team, interfacing directly with guests to enhance their experiences. Fixing glitches? That’s old news—we talk about making systems sing!
3. Cable Catastrophes and Overcoming IT Challenges: Enjoy a good laugh with Andrew as he recounts a technical issue involving a misplugged cable. Spoiler: the secret to resolving it is humour and a cool head. Think your IT issues were bad? Think again!
4. The Evolution of an Extroverted Techie: Busting the stereotype of the introverted IT guy, Andrew reflects on his journey from an ultra-social kid fascinated by technology to becoming the IT leader of a luxury hotel brand. No university? No problem! Perseverance, passion, and the knack for self-paced learning worked wonders.
5. Mid-Show Fun: Phil introduces the classic IT term “ID ten T error," which humorously spells out "idiot," bringing light-hearted banter and relatable chuckles. Ever heard of a "problem between the keyboard and the monitor"? The duo laughs over common IT troubleshooting clichés.
6. Balancing Old Charm with New Tech: Step into the architectural maze Andrew navigates while updating technology in historical hotels. How do you modernise without losing the charm? One careful step (and wire) at a time.
7. From Waste to Wonders: In a surprising career detour, Andrew briefly strayed into the world of waste management. Missing the chaos and creativity of hospitality, he eventually returned to where he belonged. Expect some quirky insights and real talk about finding one’s true calling.
8. Passion Over Papers: Andrew's story is a testament to rising through the ranks without formal qualifications. Phil lauds his achievements, and Andrew emphasises that passion and perseverance can trump traditional credentials—take notes, aspiring techies and hoteliers!
9. Crisis Management with Kindness: Andrew doesn’t shy away from discussing the difficult decisions he had to make during crises. His mantra was simple: protect your team and treat everyone with respect, even when the problems seem insurmountable.
10. Closing with Camaraderie: Both Phil and Andrew express their excitement for future advancements and growth. With shared hopes and laughs, this episode wraps up on a note of inspiration and camaraderie.
Whether you’re a technology enthusiast, hospitality professional, or a fan of amusing anecdotes, this episode brims with wit and wisdom. Tune in for a hearty mix of humour, heartfelt stories, and valuable insights straight from the trenches (and server rooms) of hospitality IT.
Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated on more such engaging episodes!
The Guest
Andrew Evers works for Rocco Forte Hotels as their director of IT. He has worked in technology for 27 years and alongside hospitality since 2011.
Instagram - @technically_andy
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-evers-7087307
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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😂 Episode Summary: Have you ever wondered how you can meet Kiefer Sutherland, dodge recruitment woes, and still run one of the world's most historic hotels? Well, grab your aprons and notepads because Franck Arnold, MD of The Savoy, spills the beans (and maybe some champagne!) in this rib-tickling yet insight-packed episode. Spoiler alert: It's not all afternoon tea and cucumber sandwiches (Shame) 🍸
🗣️ Key Takeaways:
- Four-Day Fantasy or Reality? - Ever dreamed of a four-day work week? Franck reveals that some lucky souls in hospitality enjoy this with 10-hour days. Your weekends just got better!
- Travel and Triumphs - Like Franck, you may find that wandering through global hospitality hubs isn’t for everyone. But if London is your “happy place,” then you’re already halfway to Savoy success!
- From Culinary Curiosities to Grand Hotels - Franck’s journey began in a hotel school in Strasbourg. From a foodie's dream to managing global icons, his pathway is as diverse as the hotel menus!
- Fail Fast, Learn Faster - Franck’s mantra: Fail quickly and often for rapid growth. 😂 Turns out, the school of hard knocks has a pretty good curriculum after all.
- From Military Service to Michelin Stars - Who knew military training could translate to five-star service? Franck's time as a steward in the French Air Force proves that discipline can come with a side of luxury.
- Innovative Firsts at The Savoy - From electric lights to women smoking in public, The Savoy has always been ahead of its time. It's like the hotel version of a rock’n’roll rebel with room service.
- Youth Outreach & Celebrity Encounters - Want to recruit the next generation? Maybe letting them meet a celeb or two, like Kiefer Sutherland, might just spark their interest.
- COVID-era Creativity - How do you jazz up a historic hotel during a pandemic? Just ask Franck about seafood bars and jazz outlets named Solas. Necessity is the mother of delicious innovation!
- Gordon Ramsay & More – Partnerships for the Win - When you're in the hospitality industry, teaming up with brands like Gucci and chefs like Gordon Ramsay isn't just name-dropping; it's survival of the fanciest.
- Inclusivity and Diversity - A Recipe for Success - The Savoy champions diversity in hiring, proving that luxury and inclusivity can be the perfect mix.
- Savoy’s Snazzy Titles and Honours - It’s not all work and no play. The Savoy just bagged the Fairmont Hotel of the Year 2023 globally. Who knew being fabulous could be so rewarding?
🛎️ Big Takeaway: While you might not make millions in hospitality (But some absolutely do), the industry offers a treasure trove of personal fulfilment, global adventures, and, if you’re Franck Arnold, a reason to meet some pretty cool people along the way.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Born in Strasbourg, France, Franck Arnold has over forty years of experience in the hospitality industry. Initially trained as a chef, Franck began his hospitality journey by attending the Hotel School of Strasbourg (France), earning a Hotel Management and Culinary Arts degree, followed by a Masters in Hotel Administration from IMHI Cornell-ESSEC (Paris) and his M.B.A from Henley Management College (UK).
Franck has worked in luxury hotels in six European countries including 10 years in the UK, 10 years in the US and five years in Canada. He has worked for well-known luxury brands and independent hotels in North America and Europe including the IHG hotels, The Four Seasons Chicago, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto and The Balmoral.
He joined The Savoy in September 2020 with a clear vision to navigate the hotel through the global pandemic, remaining true to its heritage as the home of luxurious innovation in the UK. He leads an extraordinary team to create unique luxury hospitality experiences and memories for guests, with character and a dash of eccentricity.
When he is not working, Franck is an avid marathoner, cyclist, squash and golf player. He lives in London with his wife Salima, daughter Céleste and two sons Arthur and César, together with Schnauzer puppy Jules.
Instagram - @franckxarnold
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/franckarnold
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Simon Numphud, the dynamic Managing Director of AA Media. Join us as we delve into Simon's fascinating journey through the hospitality industry, from his humble beginnings in catering college to becoming a leading figure in the industry.
In this episode, Simon shares candid anecdotes about the less glamorous side of constant travel and dining, the rigours of maintaining fitness, and the humorous misconceptions his children have about his job. We discuss the evolution of the hospitality industry, touch on the significant changes over the years, and reflect on the incredible growth of hotel facilities, food quality, and even English wines.
We'll uncover the history and the importance of the AA star-rating system, Simon's transition from a General Manager to a hotel and restaurant inspector, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Additionally, Simon offers insights into the values of trust, integrity, and community in hospitality, as well as the essential role of accreditations in ensuring consumer confidence.
Throughout our conversation, we also delve into the personal challenges and triumphs Simon faced, his passion for the industry, and the importance of recognising excellence within this vibrant sector. So sit back, relax, and join us for an enlightening and engaging discussion with Simon Numphud on Hospitality Meets!
Enjoy!
The Guest
Simon has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry, from managing hotels and restaurants through to the last twenty-five years with AA Media. As Managing Director, he is responsible for both AA Hotel and Hospitality services and VisitEngland Assessment services. This includes the various AA and VisitEngland classification and award schemes which in total numbers over 8,000 hospitality businesses.
Wider industry involvement includes Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, Fellow of HOSPA, Chair South West Board of Hospitality Action and Ambassador, Room to Reward Ambassador and regular judge for various national hospitality awards. Simon is passionate about mentoring, having been a mentor for Oxford Brookes University hospitality management students, having studied hospitality there himself during his formative years.
X - https://twitter.com/AAHospitality
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Welcome back to Hospitality Meets where today we have a special treat as we sit down with none other than James Brown (no, not the legendary blues singer - Highly original and never been used before joke) the dynamic CEO of Brewdog's bar division as well as being the co-founder of Tipjar.
Join us as James takes us through his remarkable journey, from his humble beginnings at a chip shop in rural Scotland to leading Brewdog’s international bar operations. We'll dive into the fun and innovative culture at Brewdog that attracts young, ambitious talent, and explore how they navigate the challenges of opening new locations, including a whirlwind expansion into Ohio and beyond.
James shares valuable insights into the importance of in-person social experiences, especially post-COVID, and the unique challenges and rewards of the hospitality industry. We'll also chat about his entrepreneurial venture, Tipjar, a platform revolutionising the way tips are distributed in the hospitality sector.
Get ready for an episode filled with entrepreneurial spirit, risk-taking stories, and the captivating energy of the hospitality world. Tune in as we uncover the passion and dedication that drives James and his team to create memorable experiences for both staff and guests around the globe.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Instagram - @james_rides_bikes
X - @BrewDogJB
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Today, on Hospitality Meets, we dive deep into the fascinating career journey of Phil Murphy, the Managing Director at Hoar Cross Hall Hotel & Spa.
Starting his career in leisure and fitness, and facing numerous challenges, including personal tragedy and the unforeseen impact of Covid-19, Phil demonstrates the resilience and dedication required to thrive in the hospitality industry. From restructuring a large spa facility to overseeing a landmark hotel, Phil shares valuable insights into leadership, the importance of relationships, and the power of mutual respect as well as knowing when to say no, as well as yes!
Join us as Phil reminisces about his beginnings in hospitality, the camaraderie that fuelled his passion, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his career. We’ll explore his achievements in sustainability, including the creation of a zero landfill business, and his strategies for maintaining high brand standards. And as a special treat, Phil reveals his unique interview question that helps uncover true potential in candidates.
Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation filled with wisdom, humour, and life lessons from one of our industry’s seasoned professionals.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Phil Murphy is the Managing Director at Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel a 104 Bedroom, 85,000 square foot spa destination. Welcoming over 100,000 guests per year, 400 staff members. Previously he's had roles such as Group Leisure and Spa Operations Manager at QHotels overseeing 26 leisure and spa properties with Experience at Macdonald Hotels, DW and JJB fitness.
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/phil-murphy-8a3185154
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
We've got time for a cheeky bonus episode this week so today, we have a very special guest joining us - Tim Andrews. Tim is currently a talent manager at Jumeirah Hotels and also the founder of the podcast "Talking Hospitality." With his extensive experience in the industry, spanning from his early days working in a bar in Soho to his current roles, Tim brings a wealth of insights to share.
In this episode, we'll be diving into Tim's fascinating journey in hospitality. We'll explore how his diverse background, including a brief stint studying law and working in retail at GAP, ultimately led him to find his true passion in the hospitality industry. Tim will share stories of his experiences working his way up from a glass collector to a cocktail barman, manager, and eventually into the world of recruitment.
And some of his stories are off the charts!
Along the way, we'll discuss the importance of creating positive work environments and promoting the good aspects of the hospitality industry. We'll touch on the challenges faced by businesses, including staff shortages, low wages, and competition from other industries. Tim will also share his insights on the skills and life lessons he's gained throughout his career and the importance of passion and purpose..
So, whether you're a seasoned hospitality professional or just someone curious about the industry, this episode has something for everyone.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Hospitality isn't just my profession; it's a part of who I am. Growing up and carving a career in London, I've been immersed in one of the world's most bustling hospitality scenes. My story in this industry began with hands-on roles, where I quickly learned that success in hospitality is all about understanding people and their unique needs.
For 16 years, I was at the helm of my own 5-star Hospitality Recruitment business. This experience wasn't just about business growth; it was a journey in understanding the heartbeat of the industry – the people who make it thrive. I've always been fascinated by the stories, the challenges, and the triumphs that come with a career in hospitality.
In 2023, my podcast, previously known as "Timothy Put The Kettel On," evolved into "Talking Hospitality." This change was more than a rebrand; it was a natural progression of my desire to share the wealth of knowledge and experiences I've gathered. The podcast is my way of giving back to the industry that has given me so much. It's a platform where I can engage with fellow professionals, discuss trends, and explore the future of hospitality in a relaxed, conversational style.
Instagram - @timothyrandrews & @talkinghospitality
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
On this weeks Hospitality Meets I was able to get some time with one of my food heroes, Galton Blackiston, Chef Patron of the quite wonderful Morston Hall. He shares his fascinating journey and insights from and amazing career in the hospitality industry so far.
Galton takes us through his early days, starting as a kitchen trainee in the Lake District without any formal culinary education. He reminisces about the tough yet rewarding experience that ultimately led him to become a head chef after a decade of learning.
We dive into the challenges and essential nature of sourcing quality ingredients for his restaurant and the importance of the supplier relationship.
Galton also shares his thoughts on the ever-evolving nature of the hospitality industry, discussing the impact of staff shortages following COVID-19 and the decision to prioritise staff well-being by closing the restaurant on Mondays. He highlights the need for adaptability and innovation, citing examples of young chefs making their mark in Norwich.
And of course we also celebrate Galton's impressive 25-year Michelin star run at Morston Hall along with the story behind it's success.
Throughout the episode, Galton emphasises the importance of understanding business and adapting to change. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities within the hospitality industry, stressing the need for caution in managing staff while recognising the potential for growth and success.
Join us as we explore Galton Blackiston's remarkable journey, from his humble beginnings, to 25 years Michelin through to his thriving fish and chips business, and learn from his wealth of experience in the ever-changing world of hospitality. Galton's focus on quality and innovation shines through. His entrepreneurial spirit is rivalled only by his cheeky sense of humour and passion for the craft.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Galton is the Chef Patron of Morston Hall
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chefgaltonb/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
In this weeks Hospitality Meets, we have a very special guest - Sally Abé, renowned chef and author who has recently released her memoir - A woman's place is in the kitchen.
Throughout her career, Sally has worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in the UK, including the Savoy, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, and the Ledbury. She's here to share her journey, from working as a waitress in golf clubs and bars to becoming a junior sous chef and eventually the head chef at the Harwood Arms, which topped the list of the top 50 gastropubs in 2020.
But Sally's story isn't just about her achievements in the kitchen. She's also an advocate for change in the hospitality industry, particularly when it comes to creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for everyone. She'll be discussing the challenges she's faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, as well as the importance of valuing and nurturing your team.
We'll also be diving into Sally's experience writing her memoir, which she describes as "a manifesto for change in the professional kitchen industry". She'll share some of the funny and heart-warming moments from her career, as well as the tough times that have shaped her both personally and professionally.
So grab a seat at the table and join us for an insightful and inspiring conversation with the one and only Sally Abé. Trust us, you won't want to miss this one!
The Guest
Instagram - @littlechefsally
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Another week passes and another superb story for you. Today, we're diving deep into the whirlwind journey of Bharti Radix, the dynamic Founder of Bloomsyard, a café wine bar concept born during the Covid pandemic. Bharti joins me to share her experiences rapidly expanding her business, the challenges of opening new sites, and the hurdles of building and managing a head office team.
Bharti's story is one of resilience and ambition—opening multiple locations, facing recruitment struggles, and questioning her move from a secure job to entrepreneurship. As a former finance director with a diverse career in hospitality, Bharti brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the importance of financial acumen and personal passion in business success.
We'll also touch on Bharti's commitment to promoting diversity in the hospitality industry and providing career development paths for her team. She candidly discusses her trials and triumphs, including navigating a male-dominated boardroom, mentoring female entrepreneurs, and the profound impact of kindness in business.
Join us as we explore the heart of Bharti's entrepreneurial spirit, her vision for Blooms Yard, and her advocacy for a more inclusive and recognized hospitality sector. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation that offers valuable insights for anyone in the industry or aspiring to join it.
The Guest
Bharti is the founder of Bloomsyard, a café wine bar concept, currently operating in and around London.
Her career has seen her work with some amazing people and brands including Jamie Oliver, Luke Johnson and many others
Bloomsyard Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bloomsyard/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Welcome back to another exciting episode of Hospitality Meets, the podcast where we delve into the inspiring journeys of the industry's most dedicated professionals. Today, I sit down with Guillaume Marly, Managing Director at Hotel Café Royal. Guillaume's remarkable career in hospitality, influenced by early aspirations in the military and an unwavering commitment to excellent service, has led to transformative successes in some of London's most prestigious hotels.
In this episode, Guillaume shares unforgettable experiences, from fulfilling unique guest requests to revamping hotel spaces, and emphasises the rewarding nature of hospitality as a career. With a focus on empathy, leadership, and excellence, Guillaume offers profound insights into creating memorable guest experiences and the relentless pursuit of perfection. He also reflects on his journey, including an unexpected career shift inspired by his mother and the valuable lessons learned from top industry leaders.
Tune in to hear about the thrill of managing luxury hotels, the importance of mental discipline, and the joy of celebrating milestones with a passionate team. Whether you're in the hospitality industry or simply love grand hotel stories, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Guillaume is the Managing Director of Hotel Café Royal in London
Instagram - @guillaumemarly
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Sometimes the guest chooses you and they don't even know it.
I'd been a fan of the work that today's guest had been doing for quite some time so I was beyond thrilled when she said a big Essex yes to coming on the show.
I'm joined by the dynamic and Epic Shereen Ritchie, CEO of Buns from Home. Shereen shares her incredible journey in the hospitality industry, emphasising the importance of authenticity, embracing one's uniqueness, and the value of entry-level roles in nurturing future leaders.
*Key Discussion Points:*
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Authenticity & Uniqueness: Shereen underlines the power of being true to oneself and embracing what makes you unique, a message that resonates deeply in both personal and professional realms.
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Ed Sheeran's Support: A heartfelt discussion on Ed Sheeran's support for Buns from Home (and a humorous and ambitious contemplation of having him appear on the podcast in the future).
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Leadership Lessons: Shereen’s experiences from her various roles across companies like TGI Fridays, Las Iguanas, and Leon, offer insightful lessons on leadership, mentorship, and the significance of developing young talent.
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Industry Impact of COVID-19: The episode delves into the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality industry, including the community-driven efforts to support the NHS and the shift to virtual business interactions.
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Inspirational Anecdotes: Shereen shares memorable and humorous moments from her career, including a virtual meeting mishap and a mistaken identity at an awards ceremony involving Angela Hartnett.
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Buns from Home: Discover the extraordinary growth story of Buns from Home, a bakery that began during lockdown and now boasts 15 sites, thanks to its rapid innovation and sustainable business model.
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Impactful Food Memories: Shereen and Phil explore the emotional significance of food memories and the role of hospitality in creating lasting, positive impacts on people's lives.
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Dynamic Leadership: The evolving landscape of leadership takes centre stage as Shereen speaks on having a supportive team, understanding business processes, and the importance of nurturing talent.
*Memorable Quotes:*
To encapsulate Shereen's wisdom and energy, we have curated some of her most impactful quotes from the episode, check our social through the week. You’ll hear her heartfelt advice on enjoying the present moment, her belief in the power of the hospitality industry, and her thoughts on leadership and nurturing future leaders.
*Important Links:*
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Buns from Home - Explore the bakery that’s taking the hospitality world by storm.
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Leon Restaurants - Learn about Shereen's impactful tenure at Leon.
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TGI Fridays - Discover the brand that shaped Shereen's foundational years in hospitality.
Tune in to this episode of Hospitality Meets to gain valuable insights on leadership, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry, and the heart-warming journey of Shereen Ritchie. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned professional, Shereen’s story is sure to inspire and uplift you.
For full show notes, complete transcripts, and more episodes, visit Hospitality Meets Podcast.
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform.
Keywords: Shereen Ritchie, Buns from Home, Hospitality Meets, Leadership, Hospitality Industry, Ed Sheeran, COVID-19 impact, Food Memories, TGI Fridays, Leon Restaurants, Mentorship, Business Growth, Sustainability.
The Guest
Shereen is mum of 2 (Mason Wolf and Tigerlily Reign), eternal optimist and possibly Jon Bon Jovi's number 1 fan. Shereen also has 25 years of experience in everything hospitality, PR and construction and is a leader with a difference. She can give you a masterclass in how to lead by inspiration, she creates teams with the strength of lions, and her ‘Only Way is Essex’ upbringing taught her to add glitter and unicorns to everything.
She believes that business success involves balancing operational and commercial considerations with human ones. She has a proven track-record in building, leading and managing high-performing teams that have delivered outstanding revenue performance in exceptionally tough market conditions.
Her approach has helped her to turn around enterprise performance, routinely beat budgets, and create and launch a new digital business in just three weeks. She is known for agility, determination and a relentlessly positive attitude that motivates and inspires those around her. She does not back down from a challenge and her teams have made the impossible a reality.
As the former UK Managing Director of LEON she led the brand through its most successful, as well as its most challenging time. Prior to this and after a stint in PR and Construction she ‘returned home’ to hospitality and joined Las Iguanas where she grew the business and supported the sale of Las Iguanas to Casual Dining Group.
Shereen is currently the Chief Executive Officer for the independent London bakery brand, buns from home. The brand that was born during the pandemic has taken the city and social feeds by storm. With ques around the block morning, noon and night, the rapidly growing brand is not only expanding its bakeries but launching into retail and cookbooks.
Having started her journey in hospitality at 15 years old, she got an evening job cleaning tables at TGI Fridays. Little did she know at the time that this part time job would shape her future in the most significant way. She can still teach you the TGI Fridays trick of how to hold 6 glasses in one hand!
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
For this week's chat, I tootled off to the Edge hotel School at the University of Essex to meet comedy genius (And Deputy Head) Adrian Martin. Adrian brings a wealth of experience from both the hospitality industry and academia, making for a fascinating conversation.
And Adrian is engaging from the get go as we delve into his unexpected journey into hospitality, which began with a nudge from his grandmother and led him to a successful career in hotel management before transitioning to academia. Adrian shares his insights on the invaluable hands-on training that students receive at the Wivenhoe House, a four-star country house hotel on campus, preparing them to transition from operational roles to management positions seamlessly.
We also explore Adrian's ground-breaking research on customer behaviour highlighting the use of AI and social media to predict and improve customer service experiences. Adrian discusses the moral and ethical implications of such technology and emphasises the importance of building personal connections with customers.
Join us as we uncover Adrian's journey, his impactful research, and his passion for teaching the next generation of hospitality professionals. Whether you're in the industry or simply curious about the world of hospitality, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss.
The Guest
Adrian Martin - Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Edge Hotel School at the University of Essex
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/associate-professor-adrian-martin-8a2ab133
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Today's special episode features an engaging conversation with the quite wonderful Jason E. Brooks, a seasoned expert in the restaurant industry and the author of the transformative book "Every Leader Needs Followers."
Phil, delves into Jason's innovative strategies for integrating new hires, his methodology for effective leadership, and the crucial shift from managing to leading a team. Jason sheds light on his book’s five keys, encapsulated in the acronym MODEL, and further expands on the importance of mastering meetings and bridging the gap between employee and customer perspectives.
Join us as we explore the fundamentals of creating a MODEL mindset for leadership, the power of influence, and the need for continuous training and self-reflection, especially in the challenging times in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Whether you are in the hospitality industry or any other field, this episode offers valuable insights into building sustainable leadership, prioritising employee well-being, and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. Sit back and tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that promises to leave a lasting impact on your approach to leadership!
The Guest
Jason E. Brooks is a speaker, coach, author, and founder of HospiVation, LLC. Jason creates content that helps impact hospitality leaders on their journeys to help others around them fulfill their calling. His first book, Every Leader Needs Followers: 10 Keys to Transform Restaurant Managers to Hospitality Leaders, launched in March 2024. Jason is a professional speaker and coach speaking on leadership mindsets and techniques in the hospitality industry.
Website - https://www.jasonebrooks.com/
The Book - https://www.amazon.com/Every-Leader-Needs-Followers-Hospitality/dp/B0CTH24WJF
X - @2LeadNSucceed
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-e-brooks/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Welcome to another episode of "Hospitality Meets," where this week we delve into the vibrant world of the hospitality and night time economy. Phil is joined by none other than Michael Kill, the dynamic Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
Michael shares an array of fascinating stories—from being pranked early in his career at Fifth Avenue to orchestrating his own elaborate pranks as promotional stunts. Listen as Phil and Michael explore how such experiences build resilience and break down barriers.
Michael’s journey into the industry was a serendipitous shift from a potentially very different path leading him to discover a profound sense of camaraderie and community. They discuss the quintessential role of problem-solving in hospitality, drawing parallels between past and present dynamics, especially influenced by social media. Michael underscores the importance of unity within the industry to influence governmental policies and enhance representation, touching upon his work with NTIA and the Institute of Hospitality.
Together, Phil and Michael reflect on the multifaceted nature of the hospitality industry—from unglamorous tasks to major political manoeuvres—and its power to shape character and personal growth. Tune in to hear about Michael's hands on experience, his advocacy for collective industry success, and his strategic initiatives that aim to elevate the industry's stature on both national and international stages.
Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation brimming with practical wisdom, laughter, and a touch of nostalgia. Cheers!
The Guest
With several decades of experience working within independent, corporate and public sector environments at executive level, Michael specialises in Marketing, Operations, Licensing, Logistics and System Implementation. With significant senior management roles within Luminar Leisure Plc, The Drinks Group and the University of East Anglia and now as the Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association, Michael has been exposed to a considerable range of businesses within the night time economy business sector.
NTIA - https://ntia.co.uk/
Instagram - @ntiaofficial
X - @wearethentia
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
This week on Hospitality Meets, we had the incredible privilege to sit down with Natasha Robinson, a torchbearer for a storied legacy in the restaurant industry. Natasha’s deep-rooted connection to hospitality comes from a lineage spanning generations, with her parents standing out as boundary-pushing restaurateurs. From her upbringing amidst the bustling energy of family restaurants to her contemporary role guiding young talents, Natasha’s journey is awe-inspiring!
We cover
- January
- Changing trends
- Being Born into restaurants
- Growing up with your community
- Rejecting restaurants (And then being sucked back in)
- Getting Michelin Stars
- Winning 3 stars
- Shouting
- Interior Design
- Unite the Clans
- Competitions and the Gold Service Scholarship
And so much more.
🌟 Tune in to hear more about Natasha’s inspiring journey and her vision for the future of hospitality!
Enjoy!
The Guest
Natasha is a fourth generation restaurateur, worked Front of House for 40 years, in a family business, at the highest level, in London (Chez Nico, Incognico, Deca). She's now the other half of Serenata Hospitality (with Sergio Rebecchi). She and Sergio in run the 3 major FoH Competitions in the UK (AAE and MCA for RACA and GSS). She lobby's for the Hospitality Industry and gives motivational talks to FoH teams. They encourage, support and mentor young people in Hospitality whilst being ambassadors and advocates for the Hospitality Industry. Natasha is also a Director of Rye News and champion the Highstreet and independent businesses in her regular columns.
Instagram - @Serenatahospitality
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What happens when you merge tech, hospitality and proprietary AI? The answer may well be the future of hospitality in the form of short stay power brand Bob W, headed up by todays guest, the awesome Niko Karstikko.
Niko and Phil dive deep into the world of innovation in the hospitality industry, featuring an engaging conversation around the continued development of Bob W, a revolutionary hybrid accommodation brand. In this episode, you'll hear all about Niko's journey from an Air BnB Super host to a tech entrepreneur, and how he's leveraging technology to reshape the guest experience, from automated check-ins to bespoke local experiences. We'll discuss the challenges of breaking away from traditional methods, the importance of customer-centric solutions, and the exciting future ahead for the hospitality sector.
Whether you're curious about the latest tech trends in travel or looking for entrepreneurial insights, this episode has something for everyone. Stay tuned as we explore how Niko and his team are creating the most loved hospitality brand around, one innovative idea at a time
The Guest
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nkarstikko/
LinkedIn - https://fi.linkedin.com/in/nikokarstikko
Bob W - https://www.instagram.com/bobwco/
https://bobw.co/
Niko Karstikko is a Finnish tech entrepreneur reinventing the hospitality industry as Co-founder and CEO of Bob W. Bob W is a tech company operating in hospitality and the first international climate-neutral hospitality provider. Under Karstikko’s leadership, Bob W has raised a total of over €70M in funding, and outperformed hotels and competition, whilst expanding to 10 countries and 17 cities across Europe operating 36 aparthotels to-date.
In addition to previously being the founder and CEO of VC-backed multinational consumer tech startup SportSetter (exit in 2016), Karstikko is also an experienced hospitality entrepreneur and occasional angel investor with a Bachelor degree in International Business and Finance from the University of South Carolina.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Almost 2 years ago to the day, I was lucky enough to get the industry legend that is Danny Pecorelli on the show to tell his story. Within that story we got talking about a very special event that was about to happen called Back to the Floor and he kindly invited me to join his table.
What unfolded at that event was what undoubtedly makes Back to the Floor one of the most celebrated events on the hospitality calendar. Fun and Carnage in equal measure, all whilst raising some much needed funds for those legends over at Hospitality Action.
2 years on, and it's nearly time for 2024's version to take centre stage, this time hosted at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. With all that in mind, I thought it'd be great to shine a light on the event again through the GM of that very hotel, James Clarke.
In this special we talk about
- James' Story
- Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
- The history of Back to the Floor
- What to expect on the night
- The auction prizes
- What it’s like as a waiter or sommelier at the event
- Stories of the Carnage
- How to support the event
No doubt James has his work cut out for him keeping scores of our industry's finest under control for the evening but 2024's Back to the floor promises to be quite magnificent.
Enjoy!
To get behind this quite magnificent event, head to https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/events/2024/april/back-to-the-floor/
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Today marks the end of season 5 of the show and we are signing off with a bang. I welcomed Hamish Anderson to the show, CEO of Tate Enterprises. This episode was a totally joyous education from the outset and represents another wonderful corner of the industry, where art and hospitality collide, in glorious fashion (Have I just inadvertently written a tagline for next years fashion week?).
Hamish is brilliant, he oozes effortless passion for hospitality all the way through and with some cracking stories too.
We cover:-
- January
- The many enterprises of Tate
- Early career
- Getting into wine
- Stock taking evolution
- Bibendum
- Writing a book about wine
- Climbing the ranks at Tate
- Deep thinking
- Leadership Lessons
- Finding a bottle of Dubonnet for the queen
- Magnums of Bollinger
- The evolution of Tate
And so much more.
I can't sign off season 5 without thanking you all for listening, this has been the most incredible season of the show, climbing into the top 1% of all podcasts and more of you are listening than ever before which I'll be forever grateful for. A huge thank you also goes to our Headline Sponsor, RotaCloud. Without the support of sponsors, it makes it very difficult to run the show.
I'll be back in the summer with more fun and shenanigans from the world of hospitality.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Hamish Anderson is the CEO of Tate Enterprises, a diverse business running Tate's commercial activity - Events, F&B, Retail, E Commerce, Publishing, Merchandise, Product & Image Licensing, a coffee roasting business (Coffee by Tate)
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Another treat for you this week as I got some time with the wonderful Zoe Watts, Managing Director of Bennett Hay
Zoe's rise to MD has seen her take in some quite amazing places to work. In addition to her journey we also get through:-
- Exploring being a nurse
- The BHS Coffee Shop
- Off to Uni
- Beefeater Restaurants
- Savill garden Restaurant
- Becoming a GM
- The people who see something in you
- The Royal Society of Arts
- Tate
- Events
- The Adaptability of Hospitality
- Meetings with Royalty
- The move to contract catering
- Bennett Hay
And a whole lot more. Zoe's got some great stories up her sleeves which she recounts with us and in amongst all of that is a just wonderful career journey so far.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Zoe Watts is the Managing Director of Bennett Hay, an independent contract caterer specialising in workplace catering.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zo%C3%AB-watts-fih-96613615/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Time for a cheeky bonus and this week I welcomed the absolutely epic, and my good friend, Dr Lizzy Bernthal who is a resilience specialist to chat through work place Toxicity and how to eradicate it (Amongst other things).
Lizzy has an amazing story of how she ended up specialising in this under discussed, but relevant topic and we cover a lot including:-
- The Army
- Fighting back against Toxicity
- Resilience
- Forms of Toxicity
- The Drama triangle
- Empowerment
- Language
- Choices
- The signs of Toxicity
- Culture & Values
- Coaching
And so much more. If you're in place that's toxic or just want to learn more about improving your resilience, Lizzy is THE person to ignite this within you.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Dr Lizzy Bernthal is a resilience coach who is on a mission to help 1 million purpose driven business owners and leaders to find their confidence and resilience already within them whilst working with values driven businesses to flourish in line with their vision and purpose
Website - https://rypotential.co.uk/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzybernthal-resilience-specialist/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
It's Valentines day and so I got to talk to someone about a subject I LOVE! That being, People!
I welcomed the quite superb Jo Harley, Co-founder of Korero and Hendrick & Hyde, to the show. Jo was nervous about coming on the show as she's never had the confidence to do this sort of thing before but she needn't have worried as she brought her natural, chatty self and we laid into a lot, including:-
- Brewdog Waterloo
- Marketing
- Measures of success
- Coming to work
- What good looks like
- Leisure Management Degrees
- Cheerleading
- Greece
- Working in bars
- Hospitality as National service
- Fun
- Inevitable evolution
- Korero
- Resting bitch face
And so much more. Jo is the very epitome of a people person and she brings the fun from the outset in what is another wonderful career within hospitality.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Jo is the Co-Founder of Korero, a new standard in career conversations and Hendrick & Hyde, who help businesses become great places to work.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-harley/
Email - jo@hellokorero.co
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
On a cold January day in 2024, I whisked myself off to enjoy the hospitality offered by the wonderful Tej Walia, Managing Director of Foxhills Collection. Whilst there, Tej and I had a chat about his career story so far, and what a story it is too.
We get through:-
- Golf
- Hotel Management as 2nd choice
- Working through the departments
- Impatience
- The foundation years
- Guernsey
- Sweating
- Hilton
- Confidence and leadership
- The Many forms of Mentoring
- Fawsley Hall
- Dartington estate
- Foxhills
- Evolution to MD
And so much more. I called this episode "Getting the foundations set" as we talk about the importance of the what Tej calls, "the Foundation years" as they really can set the tone for your career ahead.
It's another wonderful chat with someone who cares deeply about the world of hospitality.
Enjoy!
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
I properly love the people this little show has introduced me to and today you are all the wonderful benefactors of listening to my chat with "wee Scottish livewire", Rachel Thomson.
Rachel really brought the triple threat (Passion, Energy and Fun in abundance) to our chat, leaving nothing but gold in her wake. She's got great lessons all the way through in addition to that A game on fun.
We get through:-
- Christmas
- Managing a pub within the first year of her career
- The pub life
- Drive & Resilience
- The early career lessons
- The Foodie inspiration
- Abu Dhabi & Dubai
- Making the Women in F&B Power list
- Recognition
- Being true to yourself
- Hospitality Careers
- Ops Director Skill Set
There really is so much to love about this chat and there's no wonder that she was recognised on that Middle East F&B Power List!
Enjoy!
The Guest
Rachel Thomson is an Operations Director. Having spent years in the UK and Middle East, she has had the pleasure of having quite a diverse career span. Brought up in a fishing village in East Fife, Scotland, who would not be delighted that your mum and you went every Saturday to the fish shed to collect fresh scallops! She has worked with some large corporate companies and some independents so has tasted both worlds of doing your own P&L's to having the most advanced systems in the world! She wouldn't change it for the world.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelthomson727/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Up until around 2 years ago, I can't say that I'd even heard of the company that today's guest comes from, but when I learned what they do and how well they are doing it, I just had to get him on.
I welcomed Max Lawrence, Director of Hospitality Assured to the show and we get through a lot, including:-
- What is Hospitality Assured?
- Knowing what you want to do
- The privilege of giving service
- Learning the ropes with Holiday Inn
- Accounting
- Fascinating challenges
- Moving to Independent business
- Forensics and hospitality
- Starting business
- Business Challenges and Survival
- Taking on a hotel
- Attention to detail and consistency
- The IOH and Hospitality Assured
- Hospitality is everywhere
- Inverness Airport
And so much more. There are some twists and turns in Max’s story and some things I thought I’d never hear mentioned in the same breath as hospitality. The work that Hospitality Assured is doing is exactly what the industry needs right now and I wish Max and the team all the best for the year ahead.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Max Lawrence FIH MTMI, is an Assessor & Director of Finance at Hospitality Assured. Hospitality Assured is the quality standard created by the Institute of Hospitality specifically for customer facing businesses. They inspire and enable organisations to maximise their full potential by following world class processes, customer service standards and enhancing employee engagement. They help all businesses offering a service.
Instagram Max - @maxlawrence14
Instagram Hospitality Assured - @ha_hospitalityassured
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxlawrenceuk/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What a story and career journey we have for you this week as I got some time with Andrew Munt, CEO of Penta Hotels.
When we initially recorded this, Andrew was Chief of Operations & Commerce. A week before I was scheduled to air our original chat, Andrew let me know that he was going to be stepping up into the CEO role. As a result, we thought it was relevant to get him back for a quick round off of his story to include that wonderful news.
So this week, we have two distinct parts which will become obvious as you listen.
Beyond that, Andrews story is inspiring and educational all in one go. He lives with Cerebral Palsy and has rarely found this to be a barrier and there's some interesting stuff in here around the changing perceptions over his career around this.
In addition, we cover:-
- Washing up
- Finding Banqueting
- Inquisitive minds
- Cerebral Palsy
- Unnecessary rejection
- Further education
- Internship in the USA
- Relationships
- Jarvis
- Working through the divisions
- Industry Connections
- Becoming a General Manager at 28
- The varying support structures
- Initial Style
- The Devere Transition & The Devere Years
- The Penta Love affair
- The Penta Journey
- Two way career building
- Becoming CEO
There's something in here for you whether you are at the beginning of your career or you have risen the ranks.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Andrew was the COO/CCO for Pentahotels when we initially recorded this but rose to CEO early 2024. He joined Penta in 2010 when they just opened their first hotel in the UK and were looking to further develop the brand. Prior to this he did a BSc Hons degree in Hotel & Catering Management in Manchester, which included an amazing one year internship in New Mexico, a tennis resort in summer, switching to ski resort in winter. After graduating he joined Jarvis Hotels, which later became Ramada and worked his way through 4 hotels before getting his first GM position in Chichester. From there, he joined Initial Style Conferences, which were soon sold to MWB and then became De Vere Venues. He led 3 different venues over his time there, Staverton Park (which he describes as being a bit of a gamechanger for him) 60 meeting rooms, taking it open market, plus taking on a golf and leisure club.
With Penta, they acquired 5 Ramada Encore Hotels in 2013 and he was promoted to lead the UK and manage the transition over 1 year. In 2017 he got the chance to relocate to Frankfurt and take on VP Ops, later COO for Penta, overseeing Europe and Asia. Earlier in 2023, Penta restructured and the role of CCO was added into his role as well and introduced a new leadership team set up below me.
In early 2024, Andrew steps up into the CEO role for Penta.
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-munt-4a108821
Instagram - @munt.andrew
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
A real treat for you this week as I got some time with Alison Cullin-Woodcock who is a Food & equipment development consultant, an area of the industry we have not really explored.
And I'll bet that some of this will blow your mind but more than that, Alison really brings the energy and passion so it's very easy to get on board with her journey.
We cover:-
- The dogs in our life
- Equipment & Innovation
- Knowing what you want to do
- Developing the palette
- College
- Getting the basics right
- THE Mayonnaise disaster
- Working through the sections
- Hierarchy
- Moving into Equipment Sales
- Rebuilding the Titanic
- Headhunted to the US
- 8ft Rats
- Meeting Paul Bocuse
- Toilets of the world
- The Development process
- Problem solving
And so much more. Alison is at the top of her game and has fantastic knowledge within her field which comes across effortlessly all the way through out chat.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Alison has been in the industry for over 35 years, classically trained Chef, City and Guilds 706/707/717 at Cassio College (now West Herts College). For the past 20 years she has worked for one of the worlds' largest foodservice equipment designer and manufacturer.- called Welbilt. They supply to some of the worlds largest QSR's. The role resulted in a move to Tampa, Florida for 9 years as their Corporate Executive Chef . In 2014 Alison relocated back to the UK. In 2018, after a redundancy, she set up her own consulting business and for the past 6 years has been focussing on food and beverage menu development - equipment solutions - packaging challenges and solutions - and foodservice operational support, plus anything else that she gets asked to do!
Website - www.cliftonfoodserviceconsultants.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-cullin-woodcock-151789b/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
My life are we kicking 2024 off in style!
I was beyond thrilled to get some time with one of the USA's pre-eminent Hoteliers in the form of the wonderful Vaughn Davis, Managing Director ofDream Hollywood.
And this chat is rammed full of inspirational thinking from the work the outset.
As well as sporadically covering Vaughn's amazing journey, we get through:-
- AI & Robotics
- Roots in Guyana
- Moving to New York
- Starting in acting & Modelling
- Discovering hospitality
- Hospitality the healer
- Dropping bars
- Philosophy
- Idea sharing & having an Open Source Mentality
- Using Data
- Becoming a Hotelier
- Innovation
- Space Tourism
- Using Sports to create leaders
- Moving to LA
- Entertainment as Motivation
- Collective branding
- The Dream Hollywood
And so much more.
We really left no stone unturned in our chat and I could have quite literally chatted to Vaughn for days. I'm sure there will be something of interest for everyone here.
Enjoy!
The Guest
As the Managing Director of Dream Hollywood, Vaughn Davis is a seasoned leader in luxury hospitality, with over a decade of experience at prestigious lifestyle hotels in New York and Los Angeles. He began his career in 2010 with Royalton Park Avenue NYC (Formerly Gansevoort), moving to Dream Hotel Group’s Dream Downtown in 2011. Vaughn’s exceptional vision and attention to detail have led to the successful opening of hotels across North America, collaborating with renowned names such as Dream Hotel Group, Gansevoort Hotel Group, Hyatt, and Two Roads Hospitality.
Vaughn Instagram - @vtothe2ndpower
Hotel Instagram - @dreamhollywood
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Merry Twixmas to you all!
Something a little different for you this week, a monumental story of strength and hope!
When Charlie Hodson (Owner, until the end of 2023 at least, of Hodson & Co) reached out to me to see if his story merited an airing on the show, a quick call got me questioning whether this show is big enough for his story.
There's a lot to get through in this chat including:-
- The Cheese Room
- Being a Chef
- Opening the smallest restaurant in the UK
- Community Spirit
- False economies of convenience shopping
- Buying Local
- Relying on Alcohol
- Planning suicide
- The Life saving words of strangers
- The return to darkness
- Hospitality Action intervention
- We’ve Got you
- The joy of life
- Social connection
Charlie has been to hell and back and he talks about about his demons openly and in detail so fair warning, please don't listen if you don't feel ready to listen. But do try if you can as the learning through here is quite remarkable.
You might also wonder how this chat fits into the category of up beat and positive but as you will learn, there's so much positivity available, even in our darkest moments.
Enjoy!
The Guest
A chef by trade and a lover of all things pork and cheese, Charlie is a Norfolk boy with the heart and soul of the beautiful county running through his veins.
After being awarded 2 rosettes in 2013, awarded Champion of Norfolk Food & Drink in 2014, going on to win the Sausage Roll Off title at the Red Lion at Barnes in 2017 and being a finalist in Visit Britain in 2018, Charlie has been co-hosting the Big Norfolk Sausage bash in Aylsham since 2019.
Instagram - @hodsonandcofinedining
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
I cannot even describe what a total joy recording this podcast was with 2023 AICR Receptionist of the Year, Chelsea Lacey. Chelsea is also Front of House Receptionist at the quite fabulousPennyhill Park.
Chelsea oozes natural fun and authenticity (Two traits that I'm sure serve her well in her role) all the way through our chat and she's got some cracking stories to boot.
We get through:-
- Midweek weekends
- Making Rota’d shifts work for you
- The (Genuine) Joy of working Christmas
- Having no plan
- Shoe shops in travel agents
- The Covid period
- Rejecting college
- Pubs
- Pennyhill Park
- Reception for learning life
- Pillow Cases & Vases
- Staring at Guests hands
- AICR Receptionist of the year
- World Receptionist of the year
- Horse Masks
Chelsea's energy for hospitality is incredibly infectious and I'd challenge anyone to sit through our chat and not have a big beaming smile on their face. Chelsea really brings the joy and fun to our conversation and it's easy to see why she was crowned this years UK champion.
We wish her the very best of luck in 2024 at the World Finals in Nice.
Enjoy!
The Guest
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-lacey-6bbb41113
Instagram - @chelly_bean07
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
A quick Bonus for you this week as I was lucky enough to catch up with Chris and Robbie, the crew behind Spirit of Hospitality, a few days before they set off on the the worlds toughest row across the Atlantic, all to raise money for the wonderful Hospitality Action.
I caught them in the middle of their pre departure preparation but they were kind enough to take a few moments out for us to catch up and find out how things have been since we last chatted.
We covered:-
- Clothing and Hygiene
- La Gomera
- The Build Up
- The Boat
- The logistics of getting to the start line
- The unsung Heroes
- Hospitality Action
This really is a phenomenal effort from Chris & Robbie and whilst there's no doubt that it is going to be an incredible, life changing experience for them, their true purpose is to raise as much money as possible for the Hospitality action, such a vital charity for our industry.
Please do get behind them and donate anything you can at their just giving page which is:-
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/spiritofhospitality
You can follow their progress on their instgram page @spirit_of_hospitality and at the website of the worlds toughest row https://www.worldstoughestrow.com/
At time of writing this, 2 days into the race, They are sitting 2nd overall in the race and 1st in the Pairs class which I think we can all agree is just a phenomenal effort!
Enjoy!
The Sponsor
Today’s bonus episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What a cracker of a chat I have for you this week!
When Daniel McLoughlin (Owner of RocksaltCafe's & Restaurants in Ireland) reached out to me earlier this year to see if I'd have him on the show, a quick bit of research (And some discussion points from Daniel) highlighted what an interesting chat it could be.
And it does not disappoint as we get through:-
- Early Entrepreneurial spirit
- Shannon College
- Ironing
- Finding your feet
- Tenacity
- Vincent Madden & Arora Hotel Group
- David Connell & Exclusive Hotels
- The people you learn from
- James Horler & Ego restaurants
- Running a restaurant
- Moving back to Ireland
- The start of Rocksalt
- The thin line between success and failure
- Expansion
- Pivoting to Take away
- Boldness
- Wedding cakes
And so much more. Daniel demonstrates a boldness all the way through his career so far and it's clear that it has served him well to date. There are also so many great lessons from his journey.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Daniel is the owner/creator of RockSalt Cafes and Restaurants. Starting off with a team of 7 including himself in a small 20 seater café, they now have 5 outlets with a team of over 80 and growing.
Website - www.rocksaltcafe.ie
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-mcloughlin-83797528/
Instagram - @caferocksalt
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
We are back in the world of tech this week but have added in more than a pinch of creative and entrepreneurial into the story too. I got some time with the awesome Inge Meijs, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the quite magnificent platform Gastronomixs, the inspiring recipe database for professional chefs.
Inge has a great story and there are more than enough lessons and stories from her life as an entrepreneur to whet the appetite here, as well as some great insight into Gastronomixs,
We get through:-
- The Netherlands
- Growing up on a farm
- Choosing schools
- Starting a business straight out of University
- Creativity
- Recipes
- The origins of Gastronomix
- Moving to subscription
- How it works
- Entrepreneurial lessons
- The importance of visual
- Bullying drivers (Sort of)
And so much more. Inge's story is brilliant and it's yet another insight into the incredibly varied roles and business there are in this wonderful industry.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Inge Meijs is the co-founder and managing director of Gastronomixs.com, the inspiring recipe database for professional chefs. They empower chefs to create, with recipes in the form of building blocks. Inge has a background in digital marketing and studied food design & innovation. Right now she is leading and managing the team and working to expand their platform from the Netherlands towards the UK and throughout Europe
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingemeijs/
Instagram - @ingemeijs
X - @ingemeijs
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Despite being a UK based podcast, we've now been downloaded in 137 countries, that's 70% of the worlds countries, which absolutely blows my mind (Still no Greenland though).
So I thought it was a good idea to go hunt out a superstar from a different part of the world and found that in the form of the totally awesome Eddy Tannous, COO at Rotana Hotel Management.
It was a chance meeting as Eddy was in London for World Travel Market and we met up in a public space in the stunning Kimpton Fitzroy London, as such it's a live environment so forgive the atmosphere at times.
This chat is packed and we get through:-
- The Future
- Cab Drivers
- Starting in Fitness
- Department Cross Training
- Finding the spark in Revenue Management
- Becoming a GM
- Managing Multiple Brands
- Economy v Luxury
- Goals and Attitude
- Moving into Regional Roles
- Rotana
- Saudi Arabia
- Innovation
- The Haircut Incident
Eddy is a class act and there are so many amazing lessons all the way through our chat from someone who clearly cares deeply about Hospitality and the people who work within it.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Eddy Tannous is the COO of Rotana Hotel Managment Corporation. He has been working in the hospitality industry for the last 23 years, during which, he has been fortunate to grow through various entry level, managerial and leadership roles across several disciplines. His journey has taken him through hotel based, cluster and regional roles, both in commercial and operational fields. He believes that the most important catalyst for success in our industry is "People" and likes to build connections with people around him and unlock the full potential of the collective capabilities combined for achieving the best possible outcome from any situation. An approach he applies to his professional and personal life.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddy-tannous-643b7710/
Instagram - @tannouseddy
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
I can't quite believe it took me as long as it did to reach out to todays guest, CEO of AES and The Residence Apartments, none other than Stephen Lowy.
Being a 3rd generation Hospitalitarian might lead you into believing that Stephen's route was always mapped out for him but how wrong you would be. There are wonderful lessons all the way through this chat and we get across:-
- Struggling at school
- Finding hospitality
- Finding out about Dyslexia
- Salford University
- Black Eyes
- Travelling
- Anthony Bourdain
- Hostels
- Umi
- AES & The Residence Apartments
- The Klopp Effect
- The lessons of others
- The Savoy Educational Trust
And so much more. Stephen handles his story with a wonderful grace and humility throughout and I am sure that there is something in here for everyone, whether starting out or already well on your path.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Stephen Lowy is the CEO of AES & The Residence Apartment with experience of operating across the sector over the years (including restaurants, hostels, budget hotels and now serviced apartments and student accommodation).
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevelowy/
Instagram - @steviejlowy
Twitter - @SteveLowy
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What a total thrill it was this week to open my little black book of old work mates and get one of the nicest gents on the planet onto the show in the form of Marc Thompson. He also has a wonderful job title, Manager - Enrichment Programming which he does for the quite marvelous Seabourn Cruise Line. You can learn all about what enrichment programming covers in this episode as well as:-
- Marc's awesome job
- The cruise industry
- Indirect Marketing Taglines
- Thomson Holiday Repping
- Jobs on a Cruise Ship
- Moving to P&O
- The (Not so) Friendly Fours
- The stuff that happens at sea
- Harvey Nichols
- Futurist Leaders
- Revenue Generation
And so much more. Marc has had a stellar career so far and has covered off a lot of different things culminating in him taking on this wonderful role he has now. As an ex ship mate, Marc and I also spend a short time reminiscing over some of the amazing things we used to get up to whilst working on a ship in early career.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Marc Thompson is the Manager - Enrichment Programming for one of the worlds most luxurious cruise companies, Seabourn
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-thompson/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
We wouldn't have had todays conversation had our guest not reached out and asked if she could come on the show. And I'm so glad that she did.
I chat to Clare Coghill, Chef & Owner of Café Cùil on the Isle of Skye.
And what a chat it is, it's got everything, a great story, so many lessons and some cracking anecdotes. We get through:-
- Island life and weather
- Positive Social Media
- Being born into the industry
- Formative years
- Going into TV
- London and the Spark for food
- Moving into the kitchen
- The first business
- The deep end
- Opening your first business in a pandemic
- Forced return to Skye
- Reconnecting with local produce
- Cafe Cuil
- Gaelic
- Controlled fires
- TV competitions
- Staffing & Culture
And so much more.
Clare's story is so positive, along with her general outlook and there's something for everyone in this chat.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Clare Coghill is the owner and head chef of Café Cùil on the Isle of Skye. Café Cùil began its story in the heart of Hackney, East London in 2019. Hailing from the Isle of Skye, Clare's passion for Hebridean produce combined with her Gaelic influences created a unique café space in London that fast became a hotspot for brunch lovers around the city.
Now based back on the Isle of Skye, the café has been reborn in the idyllic setting of Carbost.
Drawing inspiration from the wild, natural larder that Skye has to offer, Café Cùil uses locally-sourced, sustainable produce combined with traditional ingredients to give its own refreshing take on brunch & lunch
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
You'll most likely know today's guest as Co-Founder of Honest Burgers but he's been working away on something transformative and has also Co-Founded another business in the form of Pineapple described as "future proofing hospitality through people data and research". I am of course talking about Philip Eeles.
Philip is high on energy from the outset and to the backdrop of his balcony in Brighton, and a Gin & Tonic, we set to getting through his rather wonderful story.
There's so much to love, including:-
- The 2023 Philip Eeles
- Journalism aspiration
- Starting in hospitality to pay the bills
- Meeting Tom
- Getting off and running
- Naivety
- Lewes Fireworks
- The Third Co-Founder
- Brixton Market
- Expansion
- Real Loyalty
- Mistakes
- Storytelling and culture
- The future
- Pineapple
And so much more. At times through his story you'd be forgiven for thinking that Philip lunged from one mistake to the next (Hence the title, burgering it up - You see what I did there), but the reality is that under this fun loving and high energy guy, is one driven human and as a result we have so many lessons to take from our chat.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Philip is the Co-Founder of National treasure burger chain, Honest Burgers now at 40+ restaurants and Pineapple among many other ventures.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-eeles-02229ba6/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Hospitality is awesome isn't it?
And as if to prove that theory, In was on the receiving end of top class hospitality as I was welcomed to Pan Pacific London to chat to their amazing Director of Marketing Communications, Michelle Whittemore.
Michelle oozes hospitality and our chat is packed full of stories and learning from someone who has forged a superb career so far. We get through:-
- Welcomes - Pan Pacific Style
- Starting in medicine
- Moving into Marketing
- Dictation
- Experiencing Agency Marketing & PR
- Visas & Travel arrangements
- Belgium & Marriott
- Settling in the UK
- Luxury
- Joining Pan Pacific
- Servant Leadership
- Opening a hotel in a Pandemic
- Awards and accolades
- Wardrobe malfunctions
And so much more. Hospitality is lucky to have Michelle and she forms part of a superhuman leadership team at what is fast becoming one of London's Iconic Hotels.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Michelle is the Director a skilful marketing communications professional with a 20+ year career dedicated to luxury hospitality including brands such as Corinthia Hotel London, Nira Hotels & Resorts, PRCO, Lesley Simpson Communications and Marriott International.
Website - https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-london.html
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
On a sunny Monday morning, a few minutes out of a busy lunch service, I somehow managed to get some time with legendary chef and restaurateur Phil Howard, Chef Patron of the Michelin StarredElystan Street and co founder ofNotto.
From the off, it's easy to see why Phil is described as the "Chef's Chef", just get him talking about food and the conversation is easy. He has had one hell of a journey to this point and we cover:-
- Who is Phil Howard?
- The changing face of the London food scene
- Getting into cooking
- Travel
- Getting a start with the Roux Brothers
- Harveys & Marco Pierre White
- Bibendum & Simon Hopkinson
- The Square
- Cooking to deliver pleasure
- Selling up and evolving
- Elystan Street
- The Books
- Exercise
- The Journey
- Behaviours
- Flooded Kitchens
And so much more. Phil's passion is as strong as ever but it's his ability to adapt and evolve that I think has made him successful for the long term but I think what makes him truly special is that behind all the success and the "wild ride" of a journey, is a guy who remains humble and open with a true hospitality mindset.
I'm unbelievably grateful for the time that Phil gave me.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Website - https://philiphowardchef.com/
Instagram - @philchef
X - @philiphoward8
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PhilipHowardChef
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Goodness, have I got a beast of a chat for you this week.
After much "toing and froing" of diaries, I finally got some time with one of the Pre-Eminent Hoteliers of our time, all round legend David Taylor, CEO of Lore Group.
And I really don't know where to begin with this chat as there were so many wonderful takeaways both in story terms and some general career and business learning.
It's an epic chat and we get through loads including:-
- Boarding school
- A hotel glimpse
- Being bold
- Taking it all in
- Making bad career moves
- "Mr Smith"
- Nights
- Working through various disciplines
- New openings
- Authors and Editors
- Hoxton
- Ian Schrager
- The Edition
- The Transition Curve
- Lore Group
- Coaching
And so much more. In fact, David's career is so Epic that we left loads out there still to be discussed. Beyond that, there is no doubt that David is a classy operator and he was very generous with his time. Not only that, I will forever remember the personalised "Hospitality Meets" cookies that awaited me for our recording.
The devil is in the detail.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Instagram - @dt_hotelier
David Taylor is CEO of The Lore Group; the international hospitality company that designs, transforms, and manages hotels across Europe and the United States. Prior to this, he led the transformation of a number of UK hotels developing the Principal brand under the ownership of Starwood Capital and latterly Covivio with the management of the hotels assigned to Intercontinental Hotels Group.
Prior to taking on this role in April 2015, he was General Manager of The London EDITION where under his leadership the hotel won numerous awards including the prestigious Catey Hotel of the Year award.
He is associated with other high-profile openings and re-positioning projects such as the original Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch, along with the Great Eastern Hotel and Sofitel St James in London.
His dedication to promoting best practise within the hotel industry has been recognised and he was awarded a Master Innholders Scholarship in 2009 and invited to join the prestigious Master Innholders as a member in 2012.
David was awarded the Cateys “Manager of the Year” in 2015 and the highly coveted” UK Hotelier of the Year” award for 2018/2019.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
You can't beat a good old chat about all things leadership and that's exactly what you get this week as I welcomed the host of the superb Hospitality Leadership Podcast and Leadership coach, Andy Jones to the show.
As you can imagine, there's more than a little chat around leadership but we also get through Andy's journey into hospitality and a whole lot more besides, including:-
- Leadership
- The Pre-Hospitality Career
- Experiencing bad leadership
- Taking on a cafe
- Covid, Day one
- Resourcefulness
- Checklists
- Dynamism
- Coaching
- The Podcast
There are so many wonderful takeaways from Andy and what he is doing around leadership is brilliant, and very needed.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Website - https://thecafehustle.com/
Instagram - @andy.leadership
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-jones-mihi-84692a59/
Andy Jones is a Leadership Coach and Podcast Host. He founded Cafe Hustle Hospitality - delivering leadership development and training to leaders and future leaders within the hospitality industry.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What a total treat I have for you this week. Hot on the heals from an amazing experience at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year, I thought it was high time we got someone else from this truly world class venue on the show.
Enter in the absolute live wire that is Patricia Dickie, Director of Customer Experience at The Goodwood Estate.
We get through a mountain of stuff:-
- The Goodwood Estate
- Festival of Speed
- Starting in Bars
- London's Gold Paved Streets
- The early life
- Down Mexico Way
- The University of hospitality
- The Hospitality Community
- Restaurant Reception
- Events
- Accidentally working at Goodwood
- The never ending Goodwood evolution
- Working the Experience backward
- Positive pressure
- Being where you’re supposed to be
- The Guest Experience
- Hairbrained ideas
- Finding the fun
- Fitting in Courtney Love
Patricia is all energy and is just a total joy to chat to and it's not just her story that is epic, her message on hospitality is too. What's more, she has often carved out her own job as she has progressed through her career so there's some really great takeaways here.
An absolute must listen.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Instagram - @patriciadickie
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-dickie-50900148/
Patricia Dickie is the Customer Experience Director at Goodwood. She is responsible for creating and launching many of the new projects on the Estate which have included The Kennels Private Members’ Club and Vintage at Goodwood festival, the Three Friday Nights, the fully sustainable Farmer, Butcher, Chef restaurant and most recently Goodwoof, the world's coolest and most brilliant dog event
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What's the saying? Be Kind because everyone you meet is facing a hard battle. Within the story of todays guest, there was one monumental battle.
I was over thrilled to get some time with one of my old mates, Natalie Tait - People Director at Artfarm.
Our chat played out a little bit like a catch up but there's a lot to take away here including:-
- Artfarm
- School
- Rejecting college for work
- Finding pubs
- Running a pub at 20
- Changing direction through injury
- Recruitment
- D&D
- Opening a hotel
- Being surrounded by great people
- Being yourself
- Home House
- Ambiguity
- Borough Market
- Seeking help
And so much more.
Natalie is both a force of nature and a force for good within the industry. Natalie is also kind enough to recount one of the toughest moments of her life with openness and humour with some important lessons to be heard.
It's a compelling chat and I hope you will enjoy!
The Guest
Natalie is the People Director at Artfarm. Artfarm are an independent hospitality and development company owned by Manuela and Iwan Wirth. Artfarm sets new boundaries for what cultural development can achieve. It adapts and reinvents unique sites that come with great stories by bringing together art, community, education, people and place. Artists are invited to celebrate these stories with site specific commissions. Public programmes are created to engage guests with art and locality. The local community is embraced and promoted through a celebration of the culture, customs, food and drink that make each site original.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
A little sneaky bonus for you all this week as I wanted to showcase one of the wonderful highlights of the Hospitality Calendar, that being The Walk for Wellbeing.
So what better way to showcase that than get its founder on the show, Craig Prentice.
We also chat through Craigs journey to figure out where this idea came from and cover off:-
- Starting at a Money brokers
- Moving to a theatre & Music venues
- Finding Hospitality
- Neglecting self care
- Recruitment
- Ennismore
- Mental struggles
- Starting business
- All things Walk for Wellbeing
- Togetherness
And so much more. I was lucky enough to take part in last years Walk for Wellbeing and I cannot recommend getting involved in whatever organised walk is closest to you. But even if you can't get to one of those, there are other ways to take part.
All of this to support one of the best charities in our sector, Hospitality Action.
We wish everyone involved and taking part this year all the very best.
Enjoy!
Hospitality Action
Hospitality Action has a whole range of support services to help hospitality people back on their feet again after a setback. Each year they help thousands of people through challenging times. They want you to know that They are there for you when life takes an unexpected turn
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hospitalityaction/
Follow Craig on craigjprentice
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Another corker for you again this week as I got some time with Barry Makin, General Manager at Cromlix, the hotel known for its famous owners, Kim & Andy Murray.
Barry's journey is immense, having worked his way through some quite outstanding hotels and not arriving in Hospitality until his late 20's.
As always, we get through loads including:-
- The Murrays
- Starting in the Army
- Army to Police
- Moving to hotels out of necessity
- Having the right people around you
- Mistakes
- Making progress in the bar
- The bonds built through hard work
- Mindset, Wax on Wax off Leadership
- Success and Failure
- Slaley Hall
- Cameron House
- Career errors
- Covid
- Cromlix
- Community
And so much more.
There are so many wonderful lessons of leadership throughout our chat and it was a total joy to spend time with Barry and learn all about him, his journey and the amazing Cromlix and the plans they have for it.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Barry is the general Manager of Cromlix Hotel in Scotland. Cromlix is a 5 star hotel just outside Dunblane and is owned by Kim and Andy Murray. This year has seen Cromlix move away from a management agreement contract to self management and undergone a significant refurbishment and repositioning to be more reflective of its owners style and personality.
Cromlix Instagram - @cromlixhotel
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
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Prepare to be educated!
A bold statement for sure but if you have even a remote interest in food, there's something for you in here.
I welcomed seasoned (A little food pun for you, you're welcome) educator Jose Souto, Senior Chef Lecturer in Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College.
And by god is he passionate about his craft. That comes through effortlessly all the way through and I'm pretty sure that he and I could have spoken well into the night about food.
We didn't, but we did get through a lot including:-
- Not knowing where to start
- The accidental course at college
- Finding your thing
- Spanish connection
- Learning
- House of Commons
- Stages
- Getting into lecturing
- Using stories to teach
- Product education
- True sustainability
- Goats
- Inspiring the classroom
- Game
- Jose’s Books
- Bowing to MPs
And so much more.
There's so much to take in in this chat and within all of that is a brilliant career that also highlights the importance of the role that he does in inspiring people to take up a career in the culinary arts. A hugely important part of the industry!
I, for one, was properly inspired throughout.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Instagram - @wild_food_boy
Twitter - @wildfoodboy
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gshEOnWkg3o
Jose is a Senior Chef Lecturer in Culinary arts at Westminster Kingsway College teaching a wide variety of skills. He is also a CRAFT GUILD OF CHEFS CHEF LECTURER OF THE YEAR 2022, a master of Game with skills in Falconry and Deer Stalking and a huge advocate for sourcing and cooking Sustainability. Author of "Venison" & "Feathers", a TGL Ambassador.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Another treat for you this week as I got some time with the walking industry legend that is Peter Hancock.
Peter has had a wonderful career so far and is one of the most respected people within hospitality, now plying his trade as a public speaker and MC extraordinaire.
We chat about:-
- The Changing face of the mid life crisis
- The unplanned start
- Quick Promotion
- Moving to Hotels
- Publishing
- Evolution
- Pride of Britain
- Getting into speaking
- Having a laugh
- Being a MasterChef eater
- Hospitality Camaraderie
- Stopping to smell the roses
And so much more. If you know anything about Peter is that you will know he is naturally charming, humble and humour is never very far away. It's a cracking chat all the way through and he shares some great lessons with us as well.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Peter Hancock is an award winning speaker and presenter. starting as a waiter in the late 1970's, he rose to take the Chief Executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, 2000-2021. Publishing Director at Johansens 1988-2000. Managed hotels & restaurants in Sussex & Hampshire in early career. Master Innholder.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
I've wanted to get todays guest on the show for ages and her story does not disappoint. A huge hospitality meets welcome went to Chantelle Nicholson, Chef owner of the Michelin Green Starred Apricity in London and all round force for good in hospitality.
We cover:-
- Apricity
- Studying law
- Fate
- The joy of naivety
- London
- Moving to operations
- The deep end
- Self Reflection
- Starting a business
- Adapting to changing business
- Looking after yourself
- Sustaining v Regenerating
- Following what you stand for
And so much more. Chantelle is a leading light in the quest to do business better but more than that, there's a great story in hear around the lessons that come out of being in the deep end.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Multi-award-winning chef Chantelle is the former chef-owner of Tredwells (the recipient of a green Michelin star in 2021) and All’s Well, a ‘pandemic pop-up’. Her new venture, Apricity, opened in Mayfair in April 2022. As one of the leading female voices in the UK’s hospitality industry, Chantelle is an advocate for seasonality and sustainability, championing veg-forward cooking and committed to creating a more sustainable future across her operation and activities. She's also an independent board member for ReLondon, a Food Council member for City Harvest and author of Planted
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Another wonderful CEO journey for you this week. I got some time with Kalindi Juneja, CEO of PoB hotels.
Kalindi is a first time CEO and its a fascinating journey to get to that point. We get through:-
- Growing up in Singapore
- Going against the expectation
- Singapore Airlines
- Attention to detail
- Relais & Chateaux
- Sales & Marketing
- Learning and Progressing
- Serendipity
- Food
- Becoming a CEO
- Authenticity
- POB Hotels
- Dogs
And so much more. Kalindi's story is brilliant and is a shining light to us all that no matter where you start, a career in hospitality can take you wherever you want to go.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Kalindi is CEO of PoB Hotels. She has worked in the industry for over 20 years and took over the running of PoB Hotels in 2021. Since then she has overseen the strategical repositioning of the brand with a new visual and verbal expression, including a new website, online magazine, and pretty much every touch point. Her ambition for this new direction builds on their growing appeal to a wider, affluent audience but also underpins their core values.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Ever wondered what goes on in the world of an Environmental Health Officer? Well, wonder no more (And even if you didn't wonder, pay attention as there's some awesome content afoot) as I got some time with Natalie Stanton, Founder of the Safety Expert.
I know what you are thinking, how is that hospitality? Well, quite frankly, the industry of hospitality would not exist without a massive focus on keeping our guests safe, environmental health does just that.
Not only that but Natalie talks so passionately and easily about her topic and we get through:-
- Home office video space
- Environmental Health
- Launching a business
- Food Safety & Marketing
- Becoming an EHO
- People skills
- Cross Contamination
- Closing places down
- Hong Kong food inspections
- Confessions of a Food inspection
- Are we too safe?
- Bacteria
- Food Hygiene training
and a whole lot more. There's some awesome stories in here from a life as an EHO but more than that, Natalie is building a fantastic business and resource. For anyone who is interested in nudging your knowledge along a little in this area, I encourage you to reach out to her.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Natalie is a Chartered Environmental Health Officer with over a decade of expertise in food safety and health and safety. With an impressive track record in the private sector as a food safety advisor to big names like ExCeL London and as a regulator for various local authorities.
As founder of The Safety Expert, Natalie has created an innovative online training platform that offers top-quality video-based Level 2 Food Hygiene training for food businesses that want to be the best. Natalie's ultimate mission? To help food businesses thrive safely, without compromise.
Website - https://www.thesafetyexpert.co.uk/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_safety_expert/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
If you name some of London's most famous stadiums and venues, chances are today's guest is involved in the catering operation.
I got some time with Mark Reynolds, Regional Executive Chef - London for Levy UK and National Vice Chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs. It's an epic career which has taken him all over the world, having worked on a number of film sets on his way as well.
We chat about:-
- Starting in the family pub
- The army
- Youngest Sous Chef in Hilton
- Being a Chef on Film sets
- Moving to premier league sport
- Stadium catering
- Craft Guild of Chefs
- Life Coaching
- Harry
- Building a career
- Setting standards,
- The crazy stuff that happens
And so much more. Mark talks about luck a lot through our chat but there's no doubt he is where he is through graft and a thirst for learning. It's a superb career and the work he's doing with the Craft Guild of Chefs is making a difference to the industry.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Instagram @regionallondonchef
X - @tottenhamchef
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-reynolds-6911242b/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What a vibrant and energetic chat I have for you this week as we delve into a little corner of hospitality that you may not have even considered as part of the industry.
I chat to Rosa Brough, Founder & Creative Director behind 7 Fifty - an un-conventional video production agency that specialises in content for the hospitality industry.
I had the joy of working with Rosa earlier this year at HRC, she was a livewire then and she is livewire throughout our chat.
We cover off:-
- Media and Content creation
- Taking your job seriously
- Equipment v Content
- Work experience & interns
- Getting stars to the toilet
- Variety & Surprise
- Getting into Food TV
- Great British Menu
- Moving to Bristol
- The benefits of taking your time
- Starting up her own business
- Full time meals
- Choose Hospitality
- HRC
- People
- The funny stuff that happens
- The Hairy Bikers
- Social Media
And so much more. Rosa is ridiculously passionate about her craft and that comes through effortlessly throughout our chat and what's more, if you've got even a trickle of interest in film and media, there are so many amazing takeaways for you here. Not only that but I hope this serves as another reminder of the vast variety of opportunity that exists in Hospitality!.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Website - https://www.7fifty.co.uk/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/7fiftyfilms/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/7-fifty/about/
Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/7fifty
Bio
Rosa spent over a decade working in broadcast television, producing a whole heap of prime-time series for the BBC and Channel 4. She spent years working with the most recognisable faces in the industry, like Tom Kerridge, Gordon Ramsey, The Hairy Bikers and Nadiya Hussain.
She made popular shows like GREAT BRITISH MENU, BEST HOME COOK, and KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, as well as online digital campaigns like FULLTIME MEALS with Marcus Rashford & Tom Kerridge.
So it’s fair to say she knows a thing or two about food and how to film it.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
I've spoken about the importance of networking many times on this show and without that, I may never have met today's guest.
And you are absolutely going to love it.
I chat to Stephen Trigg, Managing Director and Founder of Lauden Chocolate, a truly world class chocolatier, and all round top bloke. I can't let this pass without a big shout out to Claire Bosi and the team at Chef Publishing for the introduction.
There's so much to love in Stephen's story and we get through:-
- Getting started
- Passion-Hobby-Business
- Belief
- The edge
- The big break
- Scaling up
- Going on TV
- That extra 3%
- World Chocolate Masters
- Competition
- Chocolate on Mega Yachts
- Delivering talks to politicians
- The Tasmanian Devils
And so much more. Stephen's journey is brimmed full of wonderful lessons for entrepreneurs but also has a lot of cross over lessons you can bring to your own career, whatever you do. Not only that, but he talks so freely and passionately about his story and his craft that it's an all round brilliant chat.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Website - https://www.laudenchocolate.com/
Instagram - @loudenchocolate
Twitter - @LaudenChocolate
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/laudenchocolate/
Passionate about crafting with chocolate, Stephen founded his own chocolate company with his wife. During the past decade, they have won over 40 awards, and are responsible for supplying some of the finest establishments in the UK with their chocolate creations. Stephen’s personal philosophy is to create chocolates that he would enjoy eating himself
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
A sneaky bonus for you this week as I welcome back absolute rockstar of a human, Jim Knight - Author, Speaker & Podcaster. Jim's super power is all about elevating through culture and having just written another book in his series, this time "Service that Rocks", I thought it was high time we had him back.
Jim is just box office in every minute and we get through:-
- Music
- Jim's Books
- Authenticity
- Creating wow experiences
- Price of admission stuff
- Service
- Attitude and personality
- Rita Gilligan
- Service that rocks
Jim's career may have taken him into other sectors teaching them all about the power of culture but his roots remain firmly in hospitality. Time spent in this mans company is time well spent indeed and there are so many wonderful takeaways from our chat.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Website - https://www.knightspeaker.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jimknightspeaker/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/knightspeaker
Having led Global Training for Hard Rock International for two decades, Jim Knight teaches organizations how to attain their own “rock star” status. His customized programs reveal how to amp up organizational culture, deliver world-class differentiated service, and build rock star teams and leaders.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
To say I was a little excited to get today's guest on would be the understatement of 2023. I was so delighted to get some time with total industry legend, and all round top bloke, Robin Hutson OBE - Chairman of Home Grown Hotels. Home Grown hotels look after such well known brands The Pig & Limewood.
The conversation is full from start to finish and he does not disappoint as we get through:-
- The Pig
- Distractions
- Going to college with no real plan
- Acing college
- Savoy Management programme
- The first Management position
- Building knowledge
- Bermuda
- Being offered Chewton Glen
- Becoming an Entrepreneur (20 years in the making)
- The changing face of hospitality
- The Origins of Hotel Du Vin
- Cobbling cash together
- The power of a positive review
- Involvement in Soho House
- The Birth of the Pig
- Total immersion
And so much more. Robins career is just incredible (And not done yet) with so many lessons throughout. Not only that, he tells it with the lightest touch and some great stories all the way through. A massive thank you to Robin for being so free with his journey.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Twitter - @RobinHutson
Robin Hutson OBE is a British hotelier, listed in 2019 as the UK's second most powerful hotelier. The winner of numerous industry awards including Hotelier of the Year 2003, two industry Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2016 and 2020. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business from Solent University, is on the Board of Governors for The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and an active supporter of Action Against Hunger.
Robin was appointed OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to the hospitality industry and philanthropy and remains as Chairman of Home Grown Hotels.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
What can I say about today's guest that has not been said already? Well, let me give it a go.
I got some time with one of the most recognisable names in the UK hotel scene, Sally Beck - General Manager of the quite stunning Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Sally's career is just brilliant and we get through a lot, including:-
- Growing up in pubs
- Getting a start in sales
- Citroen 2CVs
- Advancing through Sales
- Stepping up to GM
- Hosting UEFA (And the creative thinking that won it)
- Last minute openings
- Positive Pressure
- Transparency & Communication
- The Hoteliers Charter
And so much more. Sally is one of the UK's most prominent hoteliers and for a very good reason. She clearly cares deeply about the industry but critically hasn't sat idly by to help improve it. It was just wonderful to get some time with her and I hope you'll agree, it's a fabulous chat.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Sally Beck has been the general manager at Royal Lancaster London since 2012 and during her time has managed a £85m refurbishment investment programme of the hotel, which was unveiled in 2019. She continues to be a shining light for the UK Hotel scene.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-beck-mi-fih-20218a62/
Twitter - @SallyBeck66
Instagram - @sally_beck66
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Another belter for you this week as I got some time with Masterchef: The Professionals champion 2022, Nikita Pathakji. One of the the joys of that competition is that it gives chefs of all levels the opportunity to compete against each other, with Nikita winning the competition whilst at Junior Sous Chef level.
Her career has of course accelerated since then which we cover in our chat. We also get through:-
- Using brownies to get out of University
- Moving to London
- Finger sandwiches
- Moving to Micheln Star
- Bibendum
- Taking time out to Travel
- Back to London
- Moving past Michelin
- Phil Howard
- Kitchen W8
- Positive shoutouts
- Masterchef: The Professionals - The journey
- The future
And so much more. There's a whole lot more to Nikita than her Masterchef Journey and she's building herself a world class career, following what she is passionate about and taking some serious learning along the way. There's so much to love in her story.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Instagram - @chefnikita.p
Website - https://www.chefnikita.com/
Nikita Pathakji, the winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2022, grew up in Derby before moving to London to pursue her dreams of becoming a chef. Nikita has worked in various Michelin starred restaurants across London, until she joined Kitchen W8 in 2020 where she worked up to Junior Sous Chef. Nikita is classically trained with a love for Asian flavours and loves to create her own style of fine dining in the dishes she creates. These days you can taste Nikita's food at events and pop ups across the country.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
I've gone all luxury this week as I head into Hampshire and specifically within the rather wonderful Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire where I got some time with their fantastic General Manager, Andrew Harrison.
As always, we get through a lot including:-
- Getting started
- Getting the right kind of experience
- Learning attention to detail
- Discovering wine cellars
- Getting the travel bug in Asia
- Graft
- The nomadic career journey
- Four Seasons
- Sleeping in a jungle
- Luxury Tents
- Sugar based produce
- The diversity of the world
- Returning home
- The Four Seasons Hampshire
- Being Pet friendly
And so much more. Andrew has had a fabulous career so far and has closed the travel loop by returning to the UK to oversee one of it's finest country house hotels. There are so many stories in here from his travels.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Andrew Harrison is General Manager at Four Seasons Hampshire. Originally from the UK, Andrew’s extensive 28-year-long career at Four Seasons has seen him work across the US and Asia, whilst moving between tropical islands and beautiful cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Mauritius, Mumbai and Langkawi before being appointed to Hampshire in the English countryside.
“Four Seasons Hampshire offers an unrivalled escape – whether you’re looking to relax, reconnect or discover something new, this is the space to be.”
says Harrison. He adds: “Our incredible team have perfected a passionate and personalised service to create a comfortable and welcoming home from home for our guests which sees them stay with us again and again.”
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
And so here is part two of Matt's epic journey.
In the first part we learned about an incredible amount of adversity that Matt had to deal with. By his own admission, some of it self inflicted.
In the second part, there's definitely a transfer over to hope and moving forward.
In this part, we get through:-
- Bluebird Restaurant
- Re-focussing Energy into the positive
- Maze Restaurant
- People
- Jamie Oliver
- Learning leadership
- Giving back
- Caravan restaurants
- Covid
- Extra Curricular Collaborations
- Becoming an influencer
- An accidental business
- Losing a loved one in Lockdowns
- Finding his long lost Dad
I'll be forever grateful to Matt for sharing his story so openly shining a light on how good the glory can feel when you've had to swim through some shit to get there.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Matt Burgess
A proud New Zealand Maori, Matt started his career in Wellington, cutting his teeth in some of the city’s most iconic restaurants; Dockside, Cafe Laffare and the legendary Matterhorn.
Matt moved to London in 1998 starting at the newly opened Soho House in Greek Street. He went on to work as a Senior Chef at Bluebird in Chelsea, Gordon Ramsey’s Maze Grill and Jamie Oliver’s Threadneedle Street.
In 2015, he was snapped up as the Group Executive Chef at Caravan and Vardo Restaurants, where he was part of the team growing the brand from two to seven sites.
With over 30 years experience, Matt Burgess, often known at @matblak on Instagram, began his next move in 2022 with a step into his own food consultancy business, Kaiwhenua.
At Kaiwhenua, which means food from the land in his native Maori, Matt now creates innovative recipes for companies including Goodman Steak House Group, Caravan Restaurant Group and premium ceramic BBQ brand Big Green Egg, to name a few.
Live fire and BBQ aficionado, Matt is a content creator and Ambassador for some of the largest global BBQ brands including Weber, Big Green Egg and Smokey Oak BBQ.
Matt also offers professional food photography and videography and is a qualified coach and mentor.
Matt Burgess runs a seasonal sell out supper club and has created a range of condiments under the brand Kai by Matblak.
- Instagram @matblak
- LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/matthew-burgess-426a4535
- Twitter @chefmattburgess
Sponsors
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
My life have I got a story for you this week.
Introducing Matt Burgess (Known as Matt Blak on Instagram) who has a story so epic, a Hollywood writer should pick it up. I made a decision half way through chatting to Matt that I'll just let this one roll for as long as it takes as frankly, there's learning from the outset and all the way through. It's a 2 hour chat so I'm breaking this up into two this week, the first part for you now and the second part on Friday.
So here is Part one.
And crikey it doesn't disappoint.
We get through:-
- Self care day
- Very humble beginnings
- Gangs
- Horticulture
- The connection to cooking
- Piles of dishes
- Learning through mimicking
- Running the show
- Winning some money
- The danger of comfort
- Australia
- Mafia
- Arrival UK
- Soho House
- Drug Use
- Seeking help
Despite an epic journey of adversity, Matt's approach to his story is one of deep reflection and humility and he tells it openly and honestly with a lot of humour thrown in. He does this in the hope that someone out there can learn from his mistakes.
Of course his story does not finish there and tune in later in the week for the superb part 2.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Matt Burgess
A proud New Zealand Maori, Matt started his career in Wellington, cutting his teeth in some of the city’s most iconic restaurants; Dockside, Cafe Laffare and the legendary Matterhorn.
Matt moved to London in 1998 starting at the newly opened Soho House in Greek Street. He went on to work as a Senior Chef at Bluebird in Chelsea, Gordon Ramsey’s Maze Grill and Jamie Oliver’s Threadneedle Street.
In 2015, he was snapped up as the Group Executive Chef at Caravan and Vardo Restaurants, where he was part of the team growing the brand from two to seven sites.
With over 30 years experience, Matt Burgess, often known at @matblak on Instagram, began his next move in 2022 with a step into his own food consultancy business, Kaiwhenua.
At Kaiwhenua, which means food from the land in his native Maori, Matt now creates innovative recipes for companies including Goodman Steak House Group, Caravan Restaurant Group and premium ceramic BBQ brand Big Green Egg, to name a few.
Live fire and BBQ aficionado, Matt is a content creator and Ambassador for some of the largest global BBQ brands including Weber, Big Green Egg and Smokey Oak BBQ.
Matt also offers professional food photography and videography and is a qualified coach and mentor.
Matt Burgess runs a seasonal sell out supper club and has created a range of condiments under the brand Kai by Matblak.
- Instagram @matblak
- LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/matthew-burgess-426a4535
- Twitter @chefmattburgess
Sponsors
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:...
We've got another epic journey for you this week as I got some time with CEO of Umbrella Training and Employment Solutions (and almighty Apprenticeships champion) Adele Oxberry.
And what a story she has, getting involved in hospitality from an early age right through to now, heading up one of the sectors most prominent training and apprenticeship providers.
Adele is super chatty and so we get through loads including:-
- Starting young
- The lessons of housekeeping
- Moving to reception
- Developing leadership skills early
- Getting passed boredom
- Chasing Dust with scissors
- Moving into assessing
- Juggling motherhood and career
- Umbrella
- What are Apprenticeships?
- finding the joy in your life
- Gamification (Who knew that was even a word?)
And a whole lot more besides.
Adele is awesome and here energy and enthusiasm for the industry is there for everyone to see. Once again, a huge shout out to Jo Harley for the introduction (My secret booking agent)
Enjoy!
Sponsors
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
A big hearty welcome back to every one of you and we are kicking off season 4 in style!
I was lucky enough to get some time in the more than hectic diary of rockstar chef and restaurateur Adam Handling (https://www.adamhandling.co.uk/). Not only did he make time for me, but he did it on the day he launched Eve Bar (https://www.evebar.co.uk/) to add into his 3 other amazing places - The 1 Michelin starred Frog by Adam Handling, Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall and Loch & Tynein Old Windsor.
A more passionate and committed individual you will not meet!
And Adam's story does not disappoint. As we chat through his journey we cover off all manner of things including:-
- Who is Adam Handling?
- Starting in Gleneagles
- Handshakes
- Palate evolution
- Moving to Staging around London
- Unexpected pathways
- Hunger & Devotion
- Go and learn
- Likeminded people
- The Lessons of Covid
- Hame
- Business
- Great British Menu - Champion of Champions!
- Food Fight
- TV
- The British Food scene
- Flag Waving
Adam is an almighty champion of Hospitality and he's got some great lessons from his career so far. If you have even a smidge of interest in how to run a successful business in the face of challenge, than you absolutely will not want to miss this.
Sponsors
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
WE'RE BACK - Well, nearly anyway.
Welcome to the all new season of Hospitality Meets with me your host Phil Street. After the all time high of season 3, we’re back with more awesome guests from within Hospitality and some shiny new things including a brand new Sponsor in the form of Rotacloud, a huge thank you to them and a whole lot more on them as we go through the season.
We’ve also got a brand new website now at www.hospitalitymeets.co.uk and we’ve made it much easier for you to find the chats you're looking for from within our 160+ episodes thanks to the new categories search function. Not only that but we’ll continue to evolve and we'll be adding more new things over the coming months. All this will mean we can keep moving the show forward and bring you even bigger and better guests from within the world of Hospitality.
Finally, as of 31st May, there will be no more gaps in the seasons and we’ll bring you at least one chat each week going forward.
So until then, sit back, relax and don’t forget to tell all your friends to hit that subscribe button as we’ll be kicking things back off in style.
See you on the the 31st!
To round off your digital meal this week, for your dessert (he had to be the dessert really) I chat to Benoit Blin, Chef Pattisier at Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons and TV Judge from Bake off: The Professionals.
We get through:-
- Winter in Le Manoir
- The Pastry Section
- Born to be in Pastry
- Committed parents
- Learning bread
- Changing perceptions
- The Financier
- The process of pastry
- Creating new dishes
- Learning the classic basics
- Bakers Shop to Restaurant to Hotel
- The Ritz Paris
- Being bad at home
- Investing in yourself
- Progress
- Competitions & The Pastry World Cup
- TV
- Bagpipes
Once again, there's all manner of lessons in here and Benoit is a natural story teller, retelling his journey with humour and charisma all the way through.
It's a cracker.
This marks the official end of season 3 but you won't have to wait long for season for to return as we'll be back in April with more amazing stories from Hospitality, as well as some shiny new things.
We'll see you then.
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
In the second of our three chats this week (The main course), I was lucky enough to get some time with the absolutely awe inspiring and industry icon that is Raymond Blanc, Chef Patron at Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons, founder of Brasserie Blanc, author of several books and of course, TV personality extraordinaire.
The chat is laden with gold including:-
- Inclusive luxury
- The many strings to Raymond's Bow
- Family & Values
- Humble beginnings
- An early understanding of food
- Le Manoir and future evolution
- The Hospitality Opportunity
- Reinvention
- The changing face of luxury
- Growing up with food
- Trying out as a nurse
- Falling for restaurants
- Starting at entry level
- Laying some serious foundations
- Being exiled to UK
- The food scene in the 70’s
- The big opportunity
- The lack of an early mentor
- Learning the science
- Professor Kurti
- Molecular Gastronomy
- Regenerative farming
- Finding Le Manoir
- Team
Time spent in Raymond's company is time well spent indeed, his energy is incredible and his passion for hospitality is unrelenting and incredibly infectious. I was lucky enough to get some time with him off microphone too and if there is a greater role model for our industry, then I've yet to find them. Moreover, Raymond's story does not disappoint with so many lessons throughout and more than just a pinch of fun.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Welcome to our Season 3 Finale week where I've got 3 wonderful chats from one of the finest businesses going, Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons (https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons/).
On a cold Decembers day, I headed over to Oxfordshire to get some time with three of their incredible leaders.
And first up is Niall Kingston, The General Manager. Niall took the reins of Le Manoir at the age of 31, an achievement not to be sniffed at. Not only that, he's got an awesome career so far and some great stories up his sleeve.
As always, we get through loads including:-
- Growing up on the farm (And hating it)
- Trying Hotels
- Studying
- Placement in luxury
- Putting in the graft
- Vancouver
- Working with unions
- Luck & Timing
- People are special
- The right time to leave
- The pursuit of excellence
- Unexpected waterfalls in buildings
- Excellence
Niall mentions luck throughout our chat but I'm an avid believer in that luck comes from hard work and talent, he's clearly got both in spades.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Did you know that it's International Margarita Day today?
Well, sit down, pour yourself a beautifully crafted Mockarita and listen into my wonderful chat with the awesome Pooja Sharma-Jones, Chief "Mock"eting Officer (You see what they did there?) at Mocktails (https://mocktails.com/)
And it's quite a bizarre story how we came across each other, but we talk about that in the chat so I won't bore you with it twice.
We also get through:-
- Nicknames
- Finding the fun
- Being inspired by parents
- Studying marketing
- Starting in retail
- Selfridges
- A passion for food
- Moving to Harrods
- Soho House
- Starting up a consultancy
- Mocktails
- Lo and No
- Pub Evolution
- Psychology
- Self awareness
- Early Jobs
And so much more. Pooja turns on the charm from the outset and this was a laugh a minute to record. Beyond that though there's a very serious career in here and I am eternally grateful to Pooja for giving me some time.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
This week, I bring you none other than Hotelier of the year 2022, Adrian Ellis. When he's not leading the wonderful The Lowry Hotel (https://www.thelowryhotel.com/) in Manchester, he's elevating the industry and all around him at every opportunity.
As always, we get through loads including:-
-
Manchester
-
Traveling early
-
Taking a year out
-
Approaching owners out of nowhere
-
GM by 26
-
Living and learning the experience
-
Rounding off your experience
-
Working nights
-
Takeovers
-
Moving Abroad
-
The overseas projects
-
The Lowry
-
Being opportunistic
-
The four year cycle
-
Integrating with education
-
Engaging with the next generation
And so much more. Adrian's journey is uplifting and inspiring in equal measure and the work he is doing to put hospitality on the map as a career is nothing short of spectacular.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Where to begin with this weeks bonus episode. You might recall from my chat earlier in the week with Mark Lewis that we talked about the fact that the vast majority of humans on this planet are wonderful, just doing their best with what they've got.
Well, today, I have two of finest humans alive in Chris Mitchell & Robbie Laidlaw, both of the Genuine Dining Company (https://www.genuinedining.com/). What makes them the finest? Well, if you haven't picked it up from the title, these two mad men are taking on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, all to raise funds for the wonderful charity that is Hospitality Action (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/)
This is an incredible story that has only just begun and we cover off:-
- Background on Chris and Robbie
- The challenge
- The why
- Hospitality Action
- The support
- Training
- Food
- Seasickness
- Funny training stories
- How to support
I can't help but admire Chris and Robbie and I believe they are deserving of all our support for taking on such an incredible challenge in the first place. You can get behind them very simply by following them on Instagram at:-
@spirit_of_hospitality
Learn everything there is to know about the challenge at https://spiritofhospitality.co.uk/ and all the other ways you can help.
A huge thanks to Chris and Robbie for putting themselves out there for such a wonderful cause.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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There won't be many people in the UK hospitality scene that have not heard of today's guest, and if you haven't then sit back, relax and soak up the brilliant journey of Mark Lewis, CEO of quite fabulous Hospitality Charity, Hospitality Action (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/)
Marks journey is possibly a little unexpected (My favourite kind of journey) and we cover off lots including:-
- Studying English Literature
- Teaching
- The Rough Guides
- The Caterer
- Travel around Asia
- Human kindness
- Transitioning into Digital
- The Cateys
- Norman Collier Microphone routines
- The Humanity and Humility of Hospitality
- The Any and All of Hospitality Action
And so much more. It's an uplifting and interesting journey from the outset and I hope you enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
I've wanted to get today's guest on for a while (I should have just asked him as it transpires) as I'd seen a few of his posts around on LinkedIn and there was this wonderfully positive and inspirational theme running through his message.
So I was delighted to welcome Simon Maguire to the show. Simon has spent his career in hotels but towards the end of 2022 he opted to pursue a passion, leadership and performance coaching with West Peak (https://www.thewestpeak.com/).
As usual, we get through loads in our chat including:-
- The first ever shift
- Becoming part of a team
- Breaking through the hate
- Climbing the ranks quickly
- Fast growth support networks
- Hotel Du Vin
- Harbour Hotels
- Battling with your health
- Turning the tide
- The importance of Momentum
- Seeing hospitality at it’s very best
- The positive side of Covid
- Sharing when you need help
- Taking energy from helping people
- Fit for hospitality 10K
- Luxury Family Hotels
- West Peak
- Handling celebs
And so much more. Simon has had his fair share of battles which makes for an even more interesting career story and I'm incredibly grateful to him for his time and being so open.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Well, have I got a belter for you this week (I mean, they're all belters of course).
I got some time with superstar that is Alexander Schneider, President of Nikki Beach Global's Hotel division (https://nikkibeach.com/)
And this chat does not disappoint and whatever stage you are at in your career, there is gold for you here.
We get through:-
- Building a brand according to the market
- Customisation v Standardisation
- Being authentic
- The McDonald's effect
- The changing face of travel
- Starting in the kitchen
- Starting a company at 17
- Moving to studies
- Joining Hyatt
- Traveling with the job
- The Emirates Palace
- The Comfort Zone
- Understanding cultures
- All inclusive
- Nikki Beach
- Brand legacy
- Team empowerment
- Leaving an impression (Good and bad)
- True Luxury
- Micro Stress points
- Anti-cyclical behaviour
- New opening dramas
And a whole lot more. Alex's journey is incredible and what an exciting time it is for Nikki Beach.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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There won't be many people the UK hospitality scene who haven't heard of today's guest, and if you haven't, then have I got a treat for you.
I chat to none other than award winning HR legend Sean Wheeler, now running his own consultancy.
Sean has had one hell of a career so far having worked with many recognisable brands. We chat through his epic journey and get through:-
- Marlow
- Avoiding Academia
- Getting on a management training programme
- Moving to Coffee shops
- Miss Selfridge
- TGI Friday’s
- Operations to Training To Operations
- Errors of judgment
- Pubs
- Innovation in recruiting
- Malmaison & Hotel Du Vin
- Dorchester Collection
- Being brilliant at the basics
- Blank canvasses
- Starting with Values
- Giving back
- Hospitality Action
And so much more. Sean's energy for hospitality is still there for all to see and there are more than a few lessons throughout our chat, another wonderful insight into career building in hospitality.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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What happens when you put two recruiters together to talk about people?
The answer is this weeks chat. Abi Dunn, Founder of Sixty Eight People (https://www.sixtyeightpeople.com/). I was connected with Abi through Jo Harley of Purple Cubed (Thanks Jo!!!) as Abi had conducted some very interesting research around candidate experience. We thought the world should here it so here we go.
Abi also covers her story so far and so we also get through:-
- The state of things
- Starting in pubs
- Sylvia
- Glass collecting
- Revolution bars
- GM at 21
- The importance of that first career impression
- What makes a good leader?
- The joy of optics
- Going self employed
- Belief
- No more no shows
- Customer training
- Abi’s research
And of course so much more.
Abi really brings the passion around the subject of candidate experience and we have a good old natter about all things people. My hope is you'll get a lot of very useful takeaways that you can implement immediately.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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I love coffee, I mean I REALLY love coffee and coffee tastes even better when it's doing some good (Crediting that line with today's guest 100%).
So I thought, let's have a chat with someone in the coffee business as lets face it, where would hospitality be without it?
So I got some time with Jonathan Reed, CEO of Coffee Rockstar's and all round doers of great work, Paddy & Scott's (https://paddyandscotts.shop/).
This chat is a joy from start to finish as we cover off:-
- Ambition House
- The coffee journey
- Starting in Hotels
- People & Culture
- Self Awareness
- The importance of your health
- Your purpose
- Making a difference
- Paddy & Scott's, now and the future
- Going direct to source
There's so many great lessons in Jonathan's story, told with humour and humility (my two favourite things) throughout and Paddy & Scott's continue to be bold in their approach to mixing it up in the coffee market.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Another year passes us by and just as we thought we were leaving all the drama that Covid brought us, 2022 decided that it wanted some of the action too with a brand new set of challenges.
It therefore felt appropriate to bring you a brief moment of joy at the most wonderful time of the year with some more tales of Christmas past with some more previous guests from our 120+ conversations so far, alongside those two legends Chris Fletcher & Kieron Bailey, who always bring the fun.
We've got Mark Kirby, Mitchell Collier, Chris Wayne-Wills, Jane Sunley, Ioannis Pantelidis, Paul Spencer and Bex McKeown, all reminding us of the madness that happens at this time of year through their stories involving gambling with people's bills, unwanted house guests, multiple personality Santa's, mutinous guests, offering food to rival hotels, Christmas lust, overbookings, life sized gingerbread houses, misdelivered gifts, reservation diary nightmares and even chefs on fire.
A huge thank you to all our guests for bringing their A game on the fun!
I hope it brings you brief moment of joy in what has been another challenging year.
Merry Christmas one and all.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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It's been a while since I've had a people and culture guru on the show so I've rectified that by getting today's guest on. I welcomed Di Gwinnell, Group People & Culture Director at Edyn Group (https://www.findingedyn.com/) for a chat about her story so far, and a whole lot more too.
We got through:-
- Portisheah
- Edyn
- Good intent
- Hospitality plans
- Travelling
- Starting on an HR Graduate scheme
- Moving into Hospitality
- Cross sector experience
- The people landscape
- Retail v Hospitality
- The future
- Bunk beds in Hostels
And so much more. Di is a natural people person and her story represents yet another journey that stared without clear direction. She's sure making up for that now and I for one am a massive fan of what Edyn are getting up to
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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What to say about today's guest?
Occasionally I'm lucky enough to stumble upon stories that just completely captivate you. Nassar Khalil, CEO of Rogue City Hotels (https://www.roguecityhotels.com/) has a story that will shock you and inspire you in equal measure. There is also a phenomenal amount of learning in here.
In amongst an incredible story of overcoming adversity we also chat about:-
- Battersea
- Being Educated in the UK
- Having discipline
- Graft, Being accepted into Imperial College
- The incident
- Starting again
- Digging deep
- Placement at Claridges
- The joy of teamwork
- Teams v Tribes
- The First Management role
- Becoming a General Manager
- Attention to detail
- Qatar
- Founding a Business
- Finding the story of your building
- Expansion
And so much more. I cannot thank Nassar enough for being vulnerable with his story, wherever you work at whatever level you are at, this is a story that really does have everything.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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Nestled upon a hilltop in a dramatic location is the setting for today's guest. I chat to Veryan Palmer, Director of the iconic Headland Hotel & Spa in Cornwall.
There's so much joy in todays chat including:-
- The Headland
- Starting as a chalet Chef
- The Demands of Dogs
- Cliveden House
- Moving to contract catering
- The role of a director
- Attention to detail
- Super Grammar Lady
- Bridezillas
- The Art of Hospitality
- The Thursday Club
- Community
- Minimum wage for teenagers
And so much more. Veryan has a superb journey to take her place on the board at one of Cornwall's most shot destinations. She crams in the stories and is also doing some incredible work in her local area which, I believe, we can all take a lead from.
It was an absolute joy to record this from start to finish.
Enjoy!
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
I don't really know where to begin with this weeks guest. I was welcomed to the (rather beautiful) Mayfair Townhouse (https://www.themayfairtownhouse.com/), part of Iconic Luxury Hotels (https://iconicluxuryhotels.com/) by none other than the Executive Director of the company, and all round hotel giant and gent, Andrew Stembridge.
Andrew's journey is nothing short of epic and we get through so much, including:-
- The Mayfair Townhouse
- Expansion
- Starting out
- The joy of personality
- The careers system
- Finding what makes you tick
- Sliding Doors
- Gleneagles
- Learning from adversity
- Learning on the job
- Saying yes
- Malmaison
- Moving to the USA
- Attention to detail
- The step up to GM
- Broken Lifts
- Taking the Helm at Chewton Glen
- The Pandemic response
- Vulnerability
And so much more. Despite us spending well over an hour together, I felt like we were only scratching the surface of Andrew's career so far. There's something for everyone in this chat and what a joy it was to record in person and learn about one of the finest hoteliers in the UK.
Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
One of the many joys of hospitality is that it is a global industry, so imagine my delight when today's guest had his people reach out to my people (I have no people) to see if I'd be up for a chat? In looking into his background, I was thrilled to get him on the show.
I chat to Travis "T-Bone" Talbot (There's a story there), Founder of Hospitality Arts Group (https://hospitalityarts.group/) and all round disruptor and Hospitality Outlaw, as he wonderfully puts it.
Travis is a joy to chat to and he certainly brings the fun and energy so we get through loads, including:-
- The origins of T-Bone
- The Resort experience
- Cruise ships
- Working round the role
- Having a world class mentor
- The importance of a plan
- Dealing with the staffing crisis
- Nightclubs
- Moving into marketing & PR
- Casino’s
- Doing less better
- Positive Stalking
- The Stories of Hospitality
- The bartenders night out
And a whole lot more. We also get stuck into solving the staffing crisis and there may be something new for you in here around that.
Either way, it's a wonderfully positive chat with one the good guys of the industry,
Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business
I am super excited to introduce today's guest to you all. I've been a staunch advocate of collaboration for nearly as long as I can remember so you can imagine my excitement when the Queen of collaboration Gill Tiney, Founder of Collaboration Global (https://collaborationglobal.org), Speaker and writer of 4 books said yes to having a chat.
As you might imagine, we discuss collaboration a lot but there's so much more to our chat, including:-
- Optimism
- Listening to yourself
- Leadership
- The origins of Collaboration Global
- Writing
- The importance of Collaboration
- The Why & the What
- The Joy of The Pig
- Networking
- The rules of the game
- Pirates
- The Magic number
- The joy of Collaboration Global
- The tools you need to collaborate
This was a joy to record from start to finish and I hope you get some positive takeaways. Reach out to Gill directly at gill@collaborationglobal.org to learn more about Collaboration Global and how you can get started on your own collaborative journey.
Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
I love a bit of networking, and that's what led me to today's guest. I got some time with Greg Früchtenicht, Director of Partnerships at Saira Hospitality (https://www.sairahospitality.com/).
As always, we get through loads including:-
- Accents and pronunciation
- The other Phil Street
- Saira
- Starting in the pot wash
- Holiday parks
- Developing life skills
- Team connections
- Nights on us
- Community and people
- The Anne Golden Fan Club
- 2.00am facetiming
- Values
- Scams and big mistakes
- Seeing it all come together
And so much more. Greg has such a natural storytelling way about him and he's got some crackers all the way through our chat. Our coverage of values is also well worth a listen and should you be looking for some help in this area, we both recommend this tool from those wonderful peeps at Purple Cubed https://tt-evalues.azurewebsites.net/values/start
Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
I love a bit of networking, and that's what led me to today's guest. I got some time with Greg Früchtenicht, Director of Partnerships at Saira Hospitality (https://www.sairahospitality.com/).
As always, we get through loads including:-
- Accents and pronunciation
- The other Phil Street
- Saira
- Starting in the pot wash
- Holiday parks
- Developing life skills
- Team connections
- Nights on us
- Community and people
- The Anne Golden Fan Club
- 2.00am facetiming
- Values
- Scams and big mistakes
- Seeing it all come together
And so much more. Greg has such a natural storytelling way about him and he's got some crackers all the way through our chat. Our coverage of values is also well worth a listen and should you be looking for some help in this area, we both recommend this tool from those wonderful peeps at Purple Cubed https://tt-evalues.azurewebsites.net/values/start
Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business. Hosting this podcast has put me in front of so many interesting humans from within hospitality and today's guest is no exception. I got some time with Pix Ashworth, Founder of Land&Water (https://land-and-water.co.uk/ (https://land-and-water.co.uk/)) and Director at the Watergate Bay Hotel (https://www.watergatebay.co.uk/ (https://www.watergatebay.co.uk/)). We chat through:- Watergate Bay Marrying into the industry Convenience Cooking Financial Services V Hospitality Jumping straight in Working with masters Active Relaxation Land&Water The Staycation Dogs in pools
And so much more. Pix has a great story, not least because she "Married in to the industry". Financial Services loss has absolutely been our gain and it's so interesting to hear another route in with an outstanding outcome. Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business. Hosting this podcast has put me in front of so many interesting humans from within hospitality and today's guest is no exception. I got some time with Pix Ashworth, Founder of Land&Water (https://land-and-water.co.uk/ (https://land-and-water.co.uk/)) and Director at the Watergate Bay Hotel (https://www.watergatebay.co.uk/ (https://www.watergatebay.co.uk/)). We chat through:- Watergate Bay Marrying into the industry Convenience Cooking Financial Services V Hospitality Jumping straight in Working with masters Active Relaxation Land&Water The Staycation Dogs in pools
And so much more. Pix has a great story, not least because she "Married in to the industry". Financial Services loss has absolutely been our gain and it's so interesting to hear another route in with an outstanding outcome. Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business Back to the world of Hotels this week as I got some time with the wonderful David Connell, General Manager at the stunning South Lodge Hotel (https://www.exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge/ (https://www.exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge/)) and Group Operations Director for Exclusive Collection (https://www.exclusive.co.uk/ (https://www.exclusive.co.uk/)). David has a wonderful story covering:- The exclusive journey The start Working in France Working New Years Eve Happy Accidents The new role Lifelong friends Length of service South Lodge Making your own wine Waste and Sustainability Spraying yourself with Champagne Master Inn Holders Giving back Meeting superstar celebs
And so much more. David has some great career learning to share throughout our chat and we get a peak behind the curtain at the wonderful goings on at South Lodge Hotel. Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business There was no way I could let you all tackle the cold winter months on your own so I'm back with more amazing stories from hospitality. This week, I speak to Andy Aston, Head of Wellness & Nutrition at BaxterStorey (https://baxterstorey.com/ (https://baxterstorey.com/)). Andy and I are old mates but like the majority of us, we let life get in the way of staying connected. Andy's journey is extraordinary and there are so many takeaways from our chat including:- Wellness at work The pro’s of looking after your team Being inspired by mum Finding your own identity Find the fun Putting on accents Layers Opening the Millennium Dome Doing the washing up with Stephen Fry Peeing with legends Your Comfort zone Contract catering Looking after yourself Success and the big reset
And so much more. Having been in a bad place at one stage (something he discusses openly throughout) it's so awesome to see Andy come through it with such vigour and wanting to make a difference. We can all take a lot of power from his journey and he has done some super cool stuff in his career so far. Enjoy! If you are experiencing mental health issues of any kind, please make sure you reach out to someone for help. You can talk to someone confidentially at the awesome charity Hospitality Action (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/ (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/))
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business When industry legend Harry Murray MBE sends you a message one day and asks "Can I interview you for your podcast", what do you suppose the answer was? Well, you need not wonder as to round off season 2, here's my very special chat with Harry where he turns the tables in a no holds barred, nothing off the table kind of a chat. We cover off:- Having no plan The proactive job search Cruise ships Safe eating Mistakes and growth The move to recruitment Soul searching Starting a business Attitude References Finance & HOSPA The origins of Hospitality Meets Hospitality is AWESOME Why and What? The Full Monty Phil’s dinner table
I'd definitely put this down as a bucket list item achieved and as you can imagine, Harry is the perfect host, gracious and challenging in equal measure. That concludes season 2, it's been a blast but don't worry, you won't have to wait long for season 3, we'll be back in October for more fun and shenanigans from the world of hospitality. See you then.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business When I started this podcast, I had no idea as to what wonderful stories it would lead me to. Today's episode is another wonderful story! I got some time with Jen & Seb Heeley-Wiggins, Founders of the world class Spirit of Manchester Distillery (https://spiritofmanchester.co.uk/ (https://spiritofmanchester.co.uk/)) and Three Little Words Bar (https://threelittlewordsmcr.co.uk/ (https://threelittlewordsmcr.co.uk/)) Their story is epic from start to finish and we cover so much, including:- Marriage The buildings Previous Careers Defining the business roles Light bulb moments Setting up in the dining room Business moto’s Research and Development Mouthfeel What is Pink Gin? The Juniper Police The Craft Gin Club Custom Bottles Always say yes Evolving to Rum & Vodka How pirates talk Whisky The future
There are so many takeaways from two entrepreneurs at the top of their game. Stay tuned to the end to get your special Hospitality Meets discount on their incredible drinks. Enjoy!
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business. This week I've got another cheeky bonus for you as we chat about a subject matter that I believe we all need to be paying attention to, regenerative farming. It's certainly a subject that I've found myself drawn to over the last couple of years. I got some time with Farmer Tom Morphew, CEO of Full Circle Farms (https://www.fullcirclefarms.co.uk/ (https://www.fullcirclefarms.co.uk/)) & The Garden Army (https://www.garden-army.com/ (https://www.garden-army.com/)) in Sussex and this chat does not disappoint. You might be thinking, why are you talking to a farmer, Phil? What's that got to do with Hospitality? Well, in my view, it has everything to do with hospitality and you'll definitely hear that in our chat. We get through:- Fighting the good fight School The outdoors The naked Gardener Food waste Teaching Battling through stress The First Land Flushing out crooks Birch Soil Building a farm The Garden Army Setbacks Never give up, never give in Partnering with Sodexo Farming - The hard truths Hope
Tom's story is epic and he has not half had to crawl through the dung to get to where he is now, some of this may even be tough listening. But the other side of this Tom's story is all impressively inspirational and hopeful and and an insight into what can be done when you keep pushing forward. Enjoy! Resources we spoke about Films Kiss The Ground - https://kisstheground.com/support-the-film/ (https://kisstheground.com/support-the-film/) The Need to Grow - https://www.earthconsciouslife.org/theneedtogrow (https://www.earthconsciouslife.org/theneedtogrow) The Biggest Little Farm - https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/ (https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/) Books Wilding - Isabella Tree - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Isabella-Tree/Wilding--The-Return-of-Nature-to-a-British-Farm/23347784 (https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Isabella-Tree/Wilding--The-Return-of-Nature-to-a-British-Farm/23347784)
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business Before I started recording this episode with Olajide Alabi, Equality, Inclusion & Wellbeing Partner at Turtle bay restaurants (https://turtlebay.co.uk/ (https://turtlebay.co.uk/)), I had no idea why it had taken me as long as it did to get him on the show. The answer to that becomes apparent as we chat. There's so much joy in this chat from the off including:- The heat Shiny foreheads Starting at TGI Fridays Moving to hotels Call centres Finding home in restaurants Management Bad shift decision making Building resilience Challenging yourself Internal recruitment The Power of Diversity & Inclusion Slag Lines Wetherspoons poster boy Being your authentic self The Origins of SISU Turtle Bay restaurants Being anti-racist Wellbeing Food Self reflection
Olajide is one of life's fun loving characters and he is without question at home in hospitality. In amongst all the fun in our chat there are loads of great takeaways around Equality and wellbeing and I am grateful we got the time we did. Enjoy!
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We love a bit of storytelling on this show and so why not get someone on the show who likes a bit of that himself. We got some time with Branding expert Dan Nash. Founder of Six Eight Agency (https://www.sixeightagency.com/ (https://www.sixeightagency.com/)) and our chat does not disappoint. We get through:- The weather Moving to Margate Being creative Self belief Being a digital Nomad Discovering the food & drink passion Finding your purpose Self employment Building the cult following Making the world a better place Storytelling Your authentic voice Asian food The Lo&No category Chicken Pedicures Humour and Marketing Building a tribe
And so much more. There's so much great content in here around brand and building your following but more than that, Dan's story is incredibly human and I think a lot of us could relate to his journey. A huge thank you to Dan for being so open and a double thanks for ticking off another one of life's underdiscussed topics, chicken pedicures. Enjoy!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business. Another exciting career journey this week as I got some time with the wonderful Simon Drake, General Manager of The Other House (https://otherhouse.com/ (https://otherhouse.com/)), one of London's most exciting openings for 2022. Simon has had one busy career so far, reflected in what we get through:- The Other House Starting as a lifeguard Life at Marriott Learning about F&B Getting some mentors Traveling Bermuda & Island Life Building your experience Labour Party Conference Volume Moving to London Taj VIPs Calling out the bad Going country House Conrad The Mandrake The Covid wobble Cross department training
And so much more. Hospitality very nearly lost Simon and he talks openly about that with the caveat that his opinions about his career and experiences are his own. Having spent some time with him at The Other House, it's clear he's found his home again and I can't wait to see what they bring to the marketplace. Enjoy!
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (www.zeroprocure.com/podcast) to help support both this podcast and your business. Another week passes and we have another one of the industry's gentlemen and all round exceptional human being, Douglas Waddell - Operations Director at Handpicked Hotels (https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/ (https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/)). It's another packed chat and we get through so much including:- Breaks Accents Handpicked Hotels Getting a taste for hotels Teaching Skiing Learning leadership skills School v College The first job Climbing the ranks Stephen Carter (Again) Becoming a GM Improving the basics Moving to leisure Gaining influence Stepping up onto the board Hostile takeovers Thistle Handpicked The changing world Making mistakes
And so much more. Douglas has got a great story to date and has done some incredible things. His journey is another great example of what you can achieve if you apply yourself and find that thing that gets the best from you. Enjoy!
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What a treat I have for you this week as I managed to get some time with the incredible Robert Cook, CEO of Hostmore PLC (https://www.hostmoregroup.com/ (https://www.hostmoregroup.com/)) and all round industry Titan. Robert has such an epic career so far and is an inspiration to us all. He's a natural story teller throughout and my word he's done some very cool things. We get through sooo much, including :- Peterhead Being born into the industry Learning 5 star Stephen Carter Climbing the ranks The first GM role Malmaison - The First Stint Monaco Ken McCulluch and David Coulthard CEO at 36 If you’re good enough - you’re old enough Village Virgin active The Cookie Jar - Northumberland Moving to Fridays The opportunity to float Adapting to the market Being up for the challenge How to become a CEO People Creating Experience Taking breakfast to Margaret Thatcher Lord Rupert Whoopsie Characters
And so much more. It's so wonderful to hear that even someone who has developed such an incredible and serious career, the over riding message throughout is that he has had a lot of fun along the way. A wonderful message for us all to remember. Enjoy! This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://zeroprocure.com/podcast/ (link) or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
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Give yourself the gift of happiness Today! With all this sunshine around, what better way to celebrate summers eventual arrival than with a podcast special all about Happiness! What is Happiness? How can we achieve Happiness? These questions and more were covered on my happy chat with the queen of happiness Klaudia Mitura, host of the rather awesome & Happiness podcast (https://www.andhappiness.co.uk/ - also available on all podcast apps). It might surprise you to hear that we talk a little about happiness in our chat. We cover:- The realm of happiness Training & Development Springboard The Pandemic & Happiness Learning how to be happy The Formula for Happiness Goal setting Happiness and Negative Emotions Happiness Ratios Anxiety & Innovation Happiness and the wider world Random acts of kindness Genetics and Happiness Happiness Habits Your first reaction The Brain and Happiness Friendships
Klaudia drops so much Happiness gold, This honestly feels like a university course all packaged up into 49 minutes. It might be the best 49 minutes of your year so far, it was certainly up there with mine. Enjoy! This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://my.captivate.fm/www.zeroprocure.com/podcast (link) or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
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I am absolutely thrilled to unleash this weeks episode as todays guest, and the sector in which he operates, do not get nearly enough exposure as an area of Hospitality. I was delighted to get some time with Rob Byrom, Group Hospitality Services Manager at Hallmark Care Homes, a leading luxury care provider (https://www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk/) As usual, we get through loads including:- Beards Busting some care home myths Starting out as a laborer Making the move to hotels Discovering care Moving through departments Enjoying what you do The power of Reception What is Care? Climbing the ranks Redundancy Hallmark The Job of a Group Hospitality Services Manager Team bonding
And so much more. Rob is naturally warm throughout our chat and he's on a mission to shine a light on the care sector as a prominent force within the world of hospitality. Enjoy!
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Another week and another rising star of the industry. This week I got some time with the wonderful Katariina Reissaar, Front Office Manager at Jurys Inn Birmingham (https://www.jurysinns.com/hotels/birmingham (https://www.jurysinns.com/hotels/birmingham)). Despite being quite new to the hotel world, Katariina is already making her mark and co Chairs the Institute of Hospitalitys Youth Council, giving a much needed voice to the next generation of hospitality stars. In our chat we covered:- Birmingham The weather (Obvs) Being busy Starting with the family business Tents Becoming a nanny Working the student bar Moving off the path Joining a graduate program Unexpected flight upgrades Moving through departments Moving into leadership Mentoring IOH youth council
And so much more. Katariina is brilliant company and it's very clear that she is going to leave her mark on Hospitality. Enjoy! This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this https://my.captivate.fm/www.zeroprocure.com/podcast (link) or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business.
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I'm so lucky to be able to speak to so many different people from within the industry and today's guest is another shining star of Hospitality. I got some time with Clare Johnson, Early Careers Lead at Sodexo (https://www.sodexo.com (https://www.sodexo.com)). Clare brings the energy from the off and we get through loads including:- Sodexo Previous guest Emeline (Episode 109) Belfast Hospitality Uni v Work Starting in a Theatre Work Ethic Mindset Engaging all age groups Lifting people up Interview performance Finding your hospitality family Non linear careers The belief of others
It's another brilliant chat showcasing this awesome industry and yet another role you can get yourself into. Enjoy! Now featured on the Top 50 Hospitality Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/hospitality_podcasts/ (https://blog.feedspot.com/hospitality_podcasts/)
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
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This week’s episode is brought to you in partnership with Zero Procure who are here to make procurement simple, offering great value and quality for products and services, all for zero cost. Just click on this link or visit their site at www.zeroprocure.com/podcast to help support both this podcast and your business. We're back for the 2nd half of season 2 and we get things moving fast with the Industry champion that is Matt Townley, Regional Operations Director for Dakota Hotels (https://www.dakotahotels.co.uk/ (https://www.dakotahotels.co.uk/)). Matt brings the energy from the get go and we get through a lot including:- Titans V Legends Energy Starting young Education v Experience The initial Spark The impact of others Mentors Weddings Community Attention to detail Diversifying the knowledge “Ken”isms Dakota Recognition Stories involving James Bond
And so much more. Matt is a shining light for hospitality, is definitely a Titan in the making and there's so much great content in here around building a career. Thanks so much Matt. We're also thrilled to have made our way onto the Top 50 Hospitality podcasts list here https://blog.feedspot.com/hospitality_podcasts/ (https://blog.feedspot.com/hospitality_podcasts/) Enjoy!
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What a wonderful way to cap off the first part of season 2 than with a chat with one of the industry's shining stars! I got some (Very human focused) time with Natasha Nagra, Resourcing & Talent Director at Valour Hospitality Partners. We cover loads including:- Being busy Valour Hospitality Management Falling into recruitment Recruitment and marketing Managing multiple brands Awards Best practise HIRE The Metaverse Human v Tech Using animals in marketing No filter children Falling off stages
And so much more. It's very clear that Natasha is doing what she is meant to be doing as she talks passionately about the world of resourcing and talent attraction, a subject very close to my heart! Enjoy!
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Another cheeky bonus for you this week as I got some time with Mark McCulloch, Founder of Supersonic Inc. (https://www.supersonic.marketing/ (https://www.supersonic.marketing/)) and also the brains and energy behind Hospitality Rising (https://hospitalityrising.org/ (https://hospitalityrising.org/)), the largest Hospitality recruitment campaign the world has ever seen. As well as a little bit about Mark's story, we touch on loads in this chat as Mark gives us an in depth update on where things are at with the campaign and how you can get involved. We chat about:- Scotland Coming to hospitality late Starting with Yo Sushi Music Moving to Pret a Manger Supersonic The start of Hospitality rising The cold hard facts Changing mindset on costs The mechanics of Hospitality Rising The changing face of marketing Fundraising Goodwill
Marks ambition is incredible and I absolutely salute him for what he has achieved and what he has planned. It's an exciting time for the campaign and I for one can't wait to see what all the creatives come up with next.
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What do you get when you cross someone who has unbelievable passion and energy for hospitality with with extensive life and career experience. The answer? Today's guest. I got some time with Emeline Gibert, Executive Development Chef for Sodexo Live (https://uk.sodexo.com/your-industry/sodexo-live), the events and stadia arm of one of the most recognisable companies operating within the world of contract catering. Emeline's energy is incredible from the outset and we get through so much including:- What is an Executive Development Chef? Learning the ropes across all departments Learning English as an Au Pair Moving through the sections Fulfilling the US Dream Moving to Madrid Attempting Dubai Moving to London and settling down Gaining language confidence Learning to balance flavours Sodexo Sport and Leisure Raymond Blanc Being proactive Regenerative Farming Scholarships Practical experience The special Hospitality bond The lessons of dogs
And so much more. I'm just going to say what needs to be said. We need more people with the passion and enthusiasm for Hospitality exhibited by Emeline. A massive thank you to her for bringing the thunder! Enjoy!
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As you all know, occasionally we like to shine a light on those who are doing something just that little bit special. Today's guest is one such person. I chatted to Chris Gamm, The Springboard Charity CEO (https://springboard.uk.net/ (https://springboard.uk.net/)). We get through so much including:- Getting into Hospitality early Advancing through Pizza Journalism Generational experiences Taking the reins at Springboard Taking over from a legend Staying focused The positives of Covid Springboard into 2022 Careerscope Springboard Ambassador Events Panto Social media
This is a wonderfully upbeat chat from start to finish and Chris demonstrates a brilliant attitude to hospitality all the way through. There's no doubt that Springboard are doing valuable work. Look out for Chris' Tik Tok account, coming soon. Enjoy!
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Today we bring you the superstar that is Jane Sunley, Founder and CEO of Purple Cubed (https://purplecubed.com/ (https://purplecubed.com/)). As always, we get through loads including:- Humble beginnings Being the naughty one Being spurred on by negativity Becoming a manager Moving to Reading London Starting in contract catering Setting up a temp agency Purpled Cubed Culture Book writing Shenanigans in the dry store
And so much more. Jane is one of the most recognisable humans in hospitality and has an epic story from start to finish, told with humour and humility. I guarantee you'll take massive value from our conversation. Enjoy!
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What a week UK Hospitality has had since our last episode. 3 huge fundraisers - Lunch4Ukraine, The Springboard Awards for Excellence and Back to the floor for Hospitality Action. The Latter, gave me the opportunity to meet today's guest. I got some time with Jason Adams, Managing Director of the beautiful Rockliffe Hall in the North East (https://www.rockliffehall.com/ (https://www.rockliffehall.com/)). As always, we get through loads including:- Taking on a new role at the beginning of Covid The Staycation The North East Grabbing the bull by the horns on your career Starting in the kitchen Moving to the front operation Le Manoir Standards Moving to Jersey Developing people Letting good people get their wings Improving business Looking after people The adapting leader The expansion of Rockliffe Community How to complain
And so much more. Jason has built a cracking career so far and with a history of improving businesses wherever he goes. There's so much learning in here from start to finish including being proactive in your career. Thanks so much Jason. Enjoy!
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At the time of writing, Hospitality Meets has now been downloaded in 113 countries (still looking for our first listener in Greenland). So this week, we've gone international and not only that, we managed to get some time with Denise Flanders, the General Manager of one of the worlds most legendary hotels, Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles (https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air/ (https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air/)). We get through all manner of things including:- The view from Bel-Air The Bridge Moving to New York Joining Four Seasons Moving around the US Finding your home Aligning values Creating luxury hospitality Guests who knit The importance of relationships Culture Having confidence in the future The magical moments Kindness FUN!
This conversation is like an advertisement for hospitality heavily laden with compelling reasons as to why hospitality is so awesome and Denise talks so passionately about the industry from the outset. She is someone who clearly has hospitality coursing through her veins and has a wonderfully calming tone throughout. What a pleasure it was to chat to her and I know you will all take some great nuggets with you from this. Enjoy!
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I was first alerted to today's guest as she featured in the 2021 Acorn award winners, celebrating 30 people under the age of 30 to look out for. She then very kindly agreed to be a panelist at the inaugural Rooms101 event later that year and I knew then that I totally needed to get some time with Amelia Harper, Director of Communications for Rosewood London (https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london (https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london)). We cover off so much as always including:- The suites at the Rosewood Living above a pub Pineapple hedgehogs Getting a start at Harrods Moving into events Rebranding Manifestation People vs buildings Marketing Respecting the operation Creating cookery books Afternoon tea Working for the George Clooney of the hospitality industry Why Hospitality is AWESOME Making mistakes
And so much more. Amelia is absolutely a rising star and a shining light for this industry and our chat is full of golden nuggets and humour. Enjoy!
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I was so happy to get some time with todays guest, one of the most recognisable names in the Hotel industry, none other than Danny Pecorelli, MD of Exclusive Collection (https://www.exclusive.co.uk (https://www.exclusive.co.uk)). Danny is a 2nd generation hotelier but as we find out, that didn't necessarily translate into a clear path being formed for him as he took time to forge his own career and capability. This chat is rammed full of useful stuff from start to finish including:- Danny - the man, the Mystery Staying busy Being a 2nd generation hotelier Finding your own path Making sandwiches The Savoy Training program Working in a convention hotel Cornell School Golf Detail The glory of Hospitality People B-Corp Giving back The Future Evolution Monstrous Wedding cakes Jonny Wilkinson & Cameron Diaz
And so much more. Danny's story is everything you'd hope it would be but in many ways it still sounds like he's at the beginning of an epic journey. Enjoy!
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Ever since I saw today's guest on BBC 2's Great British Menu in 2020, I knew I wanted to get some time with him on the show. Now Head Chef at Boiler & Co (https://boilerandco.com/ (https://boilerandco.com)), Kerth Gumbs is everything you hope for in a chef working in Hospitality. No doubt he brings the flair and creativity but more importantly, he brings just a wonderful zest and passion for what he does that is incredibly infectious, and we definitely need more of that. We get through loads including:- Spring Boiler & Co Growing up in the Caribbean Let me knows Pizza Starting in front of house Excelling at Track & Field Moving to the UK Walking and Running around London Le Cordon Bleu The first foray into Michelin Kitchens Learning resilience Shoulder pressing Learning French Diversifying the knowledge base Leadership Great British Menu Experience Dreams about chocolate
And so much more. There’s some excellent learning in here all the way through but expecially around resilience and the amazing things that await you if you keep pushing through. Enjoy!
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I'm not going to lie, I'm a sucker for a luxury hotel. So imagine my delight when I asked Group Operations Director of Iconic Luxury Hotels, Francisco Macedo on the show to chat through his journey. We get through loads including:- Staying busy The hospitality way Getting into Hotels early The similarities within the Medicine and hospitality industries The importance of the right mentors Juggling work and education World Class UK Hospitality Madeira Working through the country house hotel scene Taking the helm at Cliveden House Strategic emailing Finding a balance Journaling Confusing guests in cloakrooms Master Inn Holders
And so much more. There are wonderful lessons and ideas all the way through our chat and Francisco talks with passion and humour throughout. Enjoy!
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Happy International Women's! And to celebrate that, we have the wonderful Emily Goldfischer, Founder and Editor in Chief at https://www.hertelier.com/ (Hertelier.com) - celebrating all that is brilliant about the female workforce in Hospitality. We get through loads including:- Winning awards Falling into PR Moving in house Moving to London Argentina Founding Hertelier.com Women doing incredible things Sustainability Women and innovation Telling stories Women in F&B Women blazing a trail The roundup Dogs Pulling together in times of adversity Podcasting live
Emily has founded something really quite special and it's great to see so many amazing stories coming out of hospitality. Enjoy!
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We're back! Season 2 is up and running and what a way to kick things off as I got some time with Employer Branding expert Oli Cavaliero from Honest Burgers (https://www.honestburgers.co.uk/ (https://www.honestburgers.co.uk/)). There's all manner of excellent insight in here as to why Honest Burgers are so highly regarded as an employer as well as Oli's brilliant story so far. We also get through: Hurricanes and bathrooms Starting out of industry Travel Recruitment Finding yourself out your depth Unstructured Structure The power of Honest Authenticity of talent attraction Getting creative with engagement The different ways of learning
And so much more. Oli is a shining light for hospitality and we are very lucky to have him. Enjoy!
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Hospitality Meets will return for it's 2nd season in March 2022. We've got an epic line up of guests and we'll once again be bringing the fun to showcase why Hospitality is the greatest industry on earth. Can you afford to miss it? Of course not!
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Let's face it, we maybe thought we were going to get through Christmas 2021 unscathed. Covid had other ideas so in an effort to lift some spirits, even if for only a moment, I'm rereleasing the 2020 Christmas Special episode where I pulled in people from all over the industry to tell us all a tale of Christmas past from within Hospitality. We've got Cyrus Todiwala, Kellie Rixon, Cat Pengelly, Simon Taylor, Hayley Connor, Kellie Rixon, Elsa De Jager, Liam Wood, Kate Nicholls and Andrew Scott who join Kieron Bailey, Chris Fletcher and me, Phil Street, as we cover off Public speaking, amazing customer service, poo, brushes with the law, sponging music, alcohol, unhelpful services, confused guests, drag acts and so much more. This was a wonderful 2020 collaboration with EXP101 (https://www.experience101.live/ (https://www.experience101.live)) to raise some much needed money for Hospitality Action (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/ (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk)). The need has not gone away and with the increased pressure on Hospitality, please consider a donation. Please DONATE Anything you can by following these links:- 👉 Donate directly to https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitality-action/ (Hospitality Action) in your region via the Emergency Fund. This is a not-for-profit venture powered by TiPJAR and 100% of your donation will go directly to those that need it: 💚 Donate to England: https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw1 (https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw1) 💚 Donate to Scotland: https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw4 (https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw4) 💚 Donate to Wales: https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw2 (https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw2) 💚 Donate toIreland : https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw3 (https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/hw3) We hope this brings you a little moment of joy in amongst all the madness of this year. Merry Christmas everyone and we will see you in 2022 for season 2.
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It has arrived. I can't quite believe we got here but episode 100 has landed! And to do something a little bit different, I've taken a look back at some of the best stories from season one (The longest ever season on any show in any format no doubt). There's some crackers in here:- First day mistakes - Jon Dawson Gnomes being stolen - Anne Golden Getting the "Craic" with Arnold Schwarzenegger - Shane McHugh Being Thrown in Jail - Debra Ward Bob Geldof impressions - Phil Street Guests making mistakes - Jose Ruiz Doing orientation whilst drenched - Eugenio Pirri Working with Giorgio Armani - Marc Dardenne
Amongst many others. Notwithstanding all the amazing stories I just didn't have time to put in. This also marks the end of season one and I'm off to take a break for a couple of months but don't worry, like James Bond, Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street will return. Keep an eye out on all our socials for announcements as to when that will happen but thank you to everyone who has listened in so far. It really does mean a lot. And a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who agreed to come on the show and chat. There's no show without your generosity. Have a truly awesome Christmas and New Year and see you all in 2022. My Warmest Phil
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Episode 99 (We're nearly there) and boy do I have another hum dinger for you today. I got some time with the Wonderful (that will stick now) Tom Ross, Group Operations Director at The Pig Hotels (https://www.thepighotel.com/ (https://www.thepighotel.com/)). Tom's story is epic and we cover off loads including:- The wonderful Tom Ross Awards Events Being born into the industry Getting the start Moving to the USA Using the industry to travel Moving to the Napa valley Making people feel welcome The Relais Chateaux Book The French Laundry Back to the UK Serendipity Retention Hotelier of the year award Let people fly Badly behaved guests Knitting The Monotony of Excellence
And so much more. Tom chats with amazing energy and passion throughout and is yet another indication of where this industry can take you with a bit of graft and a bit of focus. Enjoy!
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As I mention at the top of the show, I can't believe it's taken me this long to get someone from the world of tech on to chat through their story and journey. And my word have I gone and found you a cracker! I chat to Dan Brookman, CEO of Airship (https://airship.co.uk (https://airship.co.uk)) & Toggle (https://www.usetoggle.com (https://www.usetoggle.com)) We cram in loads as always including:- Seasonal adjustment disorder Dog friendly office Starting as a glass collector Being academically challenged Buying the first business at 22 The entrepreneurial spirit The Hillsborough Baths Regeneration projects Experiencing failure Becoming a serial entrepreneur Becoming a landlord Managing family fights The start of power text Starting again Moving into Tech Airship & Toggle The Pandemic as a good thing Speak to people Giving back & Mentoring
And so much more. Dan's story is all action from the get go and he tells it with humility and humour throughout. He has formed two businesses that are doing superb work in supporting hospitality but how he ended up there will amaze you. Enjoy!
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I've known today's guest loosely for a number of years and was delighted to read earlier in the year that she had been promoted to the Managing Director role for the UK & Ireland at IHG (www.ihg.com). I am of course talking about the wonderful Joanna Kurowska. As always, we get through loads including:- Meetings from Home The first 100 days Remaining upbeat Lego Taking your fathers advice Heading to Senegal Starting as a Director of Finance Becoming in tune with the industry Croatia to Mozambique Moving to IHG Being headhunted Being made to feel welcome Moving to the corporate office The Last 100 Days Leading Leaders Moving to operations Travel Plan A B & C Think time Inspiring yourself Tackling ghosts
And so much more. Joanna is a born leader and it's also clear that she is devoted to continued self improvement. Her story is an inspiration and demonstrates what you can achieve when you remain flexible and have the right mentality. Enjoy!
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Another week goes by and another wonderful chat with someone who played their part in why this show exists. 5 years ago, the intricate weave of life put me in touch with the wonderful David Guile (http://www.davidguile.com/ (http://www.davidguile.com/)), Leadership Coach, Speaker and Author of the fabulous book "Potential". We got through so many golden nuggets around leadership as well as:- Podcast origins The value of the coffee chat Falling into Hotels Wanting to become a prison guard Focus on the job you’re given Focus on what’s in front of you Control what you can control Finding your style Staying true to yourself Leading through kindness Identifying your strengths Resilience Imposter syndrome Writing a book Achieving balance
And so much more. David forged an incredible career within hotels before making the leap into leadership coaching and he was very generous with his time today. Get your copy of Potential https://www.amazon.co.uk/Potential-Find-Own-Work-ebook/dp/B01MSDWCIU/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9D2HDXK61P55&keywords=david+guile&qid=1635957075&sprefix=david+guile%2Caps%2C62&sr=8-3 (here) Enjoy!
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96 episodes in and I don't know why it took me so long to speak to multi-award winning Joanne Taylor-Stagg, General Manager of The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences (https://www.athenaeumhotel.com/ (https://www.athenaeumhotel.com/)) but I'll be forever grateful that we got some time. When not running her hotel and picking up awards left, right and centre, Joanne is busy creating something quite magnificent, That being MIDAS (Master Innholders Developing Additional Skills) You can learn more about that here https://masterinnholders.co.uk/midas/ (https://masterinnholders.co.uk/midas/). We got through so much in our chat including:- Big intro’s Respect the human The knowledge of Grand Mother Wimpey & MacDonald's Afternoon tea Early start in South Africa The best laid plans Marriott Being a GM during 2012 Olympics Taking a regional role Elon Musk Learning new skills The Athenaeum The importance of good owners Doing some good Rewarding intent MIDAS Hoteliers Charter Fixing the industry Doing the right thing Spielberg editing movies on property Churchill the adaptable drinker
And so much more. We absolutely need more people like Joanne in our industry and she is leading the way on making a significant difference to how this industry is perceived. I was so grateful to get some time with her and hope you'll agree, it's a fabulous chat. Enjoy!
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I can't believe it's taken this long for me to chat to today's guest, especially as she played her part in why this humble little podcast exists in the first place. So I finally got some time with Monica Or, Founder of Star Quality Hospitality (https://starqualityhospitality.co.uk (https://starqualityhospitality.co.uk)) and author of 3 wonderful books. We get through a lot including:- Springboard pantomime Podcast influencer Education Cruise ships Life at sea A move into recruitment Practical v Academia Qualifications London Hilton Sorting out HR Westminster Kingsway College Supporting the army Live assessment days Networking Becoming chair of the IOH Key Person of influence Star Quality Hospitality Book writing Promoting this industry as a career of choice World Host Holiday brain
And so much more. Monica is definitely a beacon of positivity for hospitality and is doing her bit in promoting the industry as a career of choice. Contact Monica at monica@starqualityhospitality.co.uk Get the Books https://www.amazon.co.uk/Monica-Or/e/B00P6I5OBQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 (here) Enjoy!
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Throughout my time of running this humble little show, I've been introduced to people from all over the industry in various capacities. It's one of things I love the most. Today's guest is inspiring hearts and minds on choosing a career in hospitality but is not just leaving it there, he's then facilitating connections to help get them the best start possible. I got some time with John Holden, Food & Beverage Lecturer at Tameside College and Founder of Bridging the Skills Gap (https://www.btsg.org.uk (https://www.btsg.org.uk)) We chat through:- Hospitality meets (Yay) Moving into academia Passing on the passion Moving to London Learning German Dealing with legal issues Starting in pubs Changing perspective Moving over to training Grabbing life by the balls Sliding doors Competitions Helping students Work experience Awful guests Being a good guest Striking up relationships
And so much more. John's work is exceptional and I'd encourage anyone who wants to help give the next generation a great start in their career to reach out to him on Bridgingtheskillsgap@btinternet.com Enjoy!
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I was thrilled to get some time with todays guest, Mark Fenelon, CEO of Clink Hostels (https://www.clinkhostels.com/ (https://www.clinkhostels.com/)). Not just to chat to someone from within another sector of hospitality that we have not yet covered, but also because Mark's Journey to CEO of the company is not your average, every day route. We get through loads including:- The Hostel experience Australia The change of standards The rise and rise of the hostel sector Relationship facilitation Bcorp Covid - the experience inhibitor Shut up and listen Rewarding volunteers Being socially responsible Marginal gains Finding your passion The potential of the hostel sector Guest experience Lisbon Diversity & Inclusion
And so much more. Mark sounds very comfortable in his own skin and has clearly found a sector where he feels at home. I for one am excited about the growth potential of this sector along with the great work that Mark and his teams are doing around B corp accreditation. Enjoy!
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Time spent with today's guest is time well spent indeed! I once again got Jim Knight back on the show to chat about his recently released "Leadership That Rocks" (Available here - https://www.knightspeaker.com/product-page/rock-n-roll-with-it (https://www.knightspeaker.com/product-page/rock-n-roll-with-it)). Jim is a previously published author and Public Speaker extraordinaire around Leadership and Culture and is a special friend of the show. We get through:- Florida Covid in the USA Changing culture Music Ideas inspiration Book writing Gaining more leaders Learning Hiring Rock stars Life happening for you Shrek Jim & Brantisms Ted v Ted Not muscling results Mentoring Respect Jim’s future books
And so much more! Jim is incredibly comfortable chatting about this topic and I do my level best to keep up with him. He chats with passion and knowledge all the way through and you are sure to take away some absolute golden nuggets. I'm eternally grateful to Jim for his time. Enjoy!
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This week I bring you another superb human being. I chatted to Grant Campbell, General Manager at the Nobu Hotel London Portman Square. We get through a lot as always including:- Having a hospitality family Being introduced to hard work Starting as a chef Pioneering free wifi Inspiring Leaders Moving into Lifestyle Sense of arrival The mad hatters tea Reassessing goals A Covid pre-opening Mentors St Julians Scholars Coopetition The Nobu London Portman Square A brief history of Nobu Brand endorsers Special bonds Finding your niche
And so much more. Grant is an excellent ambassador for the industry and has built a superb career for himself so far. There's lots of great content on how he has built to this date. Enjoy!
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I love how some things work out, you read an article and then you are immediately captivated by someone's story. I stumbled on today's guest through a late night LinkedIn feed trawl. And boy, am I glad that I did. Inspiring from start to finish, I got some time with the inspirational and absolute force of nature that is Amber Staynings, CEO of Bums On Seats (https://bumsonseats.org/ (https://bumsonseats.org/)). It's all action from the get go as we cover off:- Frogs in throat Moving to Guildford Being a glass half full person School Being rebellious Driving without sat nav What is Sales? Going (Not going) to South America Working harder than hard Having a health scare at 21 Knowing when to slow down People over profit The 2nd health scare A Phil Street Rant Bums on Seats Mentors
And so much more! Amber really has one hell of a story with more than her fair share of adversity to conquer and as a result, it's inspiring throughout. A massive thank you to Amber for sharing her story so openly. Enjoy!
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What a delight I have for you this week as I delve into the world of wine with one of the best in the business, non other than Shane McHugh, Group Wine Buyer at the glorious Goodman Restaurants. Shane is very open with his time and his stories and we get through loads including:- Transport Links Post pandemic positivity Family ties The Celtic Tiger Family hospitality Starting out in hotels Supportive parents Going to America Opening rare and expensive wine Passion v knowledge Wine stories Taking the learning from each experience Getting the craic with Arnold Schwarzenegger Restaurant openings Taking the knocks Wine buying in a pandemic Shane the wine supplier Californian Wine
And so much more. Shane has a natural hospitality personality and his humourous storytelling is never too far away in our packed chat. Enjoy!
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Ahhhhhh Culture. What is it? How do we achieve a good one? All this and more when we got some time with today's guest, Benjamin Drury AKA the Culture Guy! As you might expect, there's a lot of chat around culture but a whole lot more too including:- Receiving Parcels The Culture Guy The Inner workings of a company What is Culture? Creating Cult like status Values Sanity check Trust Hiring for cultural contribution Simplifying business Bringing the emotion Job Adverts Creating a safe space for mistakes The Legacy impact challenge Changing the world
Benjamin talks with such passion and energy from start to finish, it's difficult not to feel uplifted so if you are thinking about getting the culture in your business nailed down, then have a listen and engage with Benjamin to fill in the rest. Enjoy!
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I am so delighted to unleash this weeks chat to you all as I got some time with one of my early career mentors, Ian Wynne-Smythe or as I affectionately know him, Sir Winnifred of Smythe. Sir Winnifred is a veteran of the cruise world having forged a 30+ year career on board. We chat through his career and get through a lot including:- Names Covid and Cruising The Isle of Mann Careers advice Starting in the arts From Bursar to Purser Leaders who remain quiet Balancing your float Discovering the leader you want to be Ship rumours Greg “The Printer” Humble ship beginnings Counting money The training ground of reception Dealing with immigration Tiny Statue of Liberty Nine Eleven on a cruise ship The origins of “Set in Stone”
And so much more. There is so much humour throughout this chat and I was grateful to Ian for the time afforded. I hope you enjoy.
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I love who I get introduced to as part of the Podcast. Todays guest represents that. I chat to Stephen Carter OBE, one of Scotland's most legendary hoteliers. For someone whose career has spanned over 40 years, you can imagine we get through a lot including:- East Neuk Untrue reputations Scottish seafood Humble beginnings Picking up accents Rejecting the Seychelles Holiday Inn Moving to Scotland The Motivated Team The Tobacco Patch Buying the rights to Le Man Cars Setting aside time to dream Integrating locally The East coast path New opening foibles State of the art fire alarm systems Making the best of a bad situation Entertaining the King of Jordan The OBE
And so much more. Stephen is an absolutely legend and is very open with some cracking stories throughout. Enjoy!
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Today's guest is doing something special. If you are an independent hospitality business and you are just getting started (Or even if you are not) then focus on your strengths and let Liam and his team support the rest. We chat to Liam Jones, CEO and Founder of Foursquare Group, A support services consultancy based out of Liverpool. Our chat is rammed full of business intelligence and in addition we get through:- World Heritage Jewson Corporate Life Health & Safety The many hats of Hospitality Covid response Creating goodwill Naming companies Evolution The life cycle of business Tapping into your strengths Leadership as a career Authenticity Diverse boardrooms Creating stories with mates Podcasting
And Liam's excellent journey. It's a privilege to get some time with people like Liam and there's so many golden nuggets in the chat. Enjoy!
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The variety of opportunity in hospitality is something I bang on about all the time (You'll no doubt know that by now). Today's guest is another example of that. I chatted to James Lemon, Founder of the awesome Mentoring platform Otolo (https://myotolo.com/ (www.myotolo.com)). It's a packed chat, as always, covering off:- Wimbledon Cowes Giving up your bed Selling books door to door Recruitment Strategy Big business Small start-up Downturns Otolo Attitude and Values Intrapreneur Damon Hill driving boats The origins of Otolo Mentoring Attracting people in Hospitality training Collaboration Locking yourself out in Lisbon
And so much more. James talks with such intelligence and energy that it's hard not to get hooked in and he has created an awesome platform for the industry. Enjoy!
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Where to begin on this weeks guest? I always had a dream to interview Harry Murray MBE, Chairman of Lucknam Park (https://www.lucknampark.co.uk (https://www.lucknampark.co.uk)) and today is a fulfilment of that dream. We get through a lot as always including:- Hospitality as show business The industry of dreams Having a vision Salford tech Breakfast for 2000 people Respect Leadership Learning French quickly Climbing the ranks in hotels Becoming GM Unexploded bombs South Africa Being made a chief Moving to the English Riveira Pressure points Master Inn Holders South Africa in the 90’s Events for Royalty Lucknam Park The MBE
And so much more. There's some wonderful snippets of advice throughout and I'm in awe of the work that Harry continues to do for this industry, he is an inspiration. The day after our chat he was off on a 200 mile bike ride for Hospitality Action. Enjoy!
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What a cracker we have for you this week. What does it take to be an HR leader in an iconic hotel and restaurant? Well, we chatted to Sarah Powell, HR Director at Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons (https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons (https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons)) to find out. Look out for another mispronunciation from Phil. We get through loads including:- Reopening Admin days Studying languages Teaching English in the Indian ocean The careers book The Hilton graduate programme Plan v no plan Housekeeping The move into HR Bad interviews Opening the Soho Farmhouse Working in a pub Le Manoir Raymond Blanc The garden HR’s Role Richard Osmond The IOH Hospitality Minister Hospitality - the career of choice Attitude is everything
And of course Sarah's superb journey so far. Sarah talks with great knowledge and passion around HR and hospitality throughout our chat and I love the fact that she has built a career around seeing where the opportunity is. Enjoy!
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Covid has impacted many of us, no question about that. Today's guest has taken the negatives surrounding 2020 and turned them into real positives. I got some time with Maria Malaniia, Founder of the Savvy Hotelier (https://www.savvyhotelier.net/ (https://www.savvyhotelier.net/)) and self employed guest experience consultant (https://www.malaniia.com (https://www.malaniia.com)). As always it's an action packed chat and we cover:- Getting the start Theme parks Frying food Stockholm weather Getting paid to travel Learning Finnish Seeking experiences Working on cruise ships Moving to London The IHG Office Career paths Kickboxing Timing Loyalty programmes Redundancy The Savvy Hotelier Maria’s favourite work trip Monaco Refurbishments Co-Opetition Big Brand
And Maria's awesome story so far. Maria has a natural hospitality personality and she has used 2020 to significantly upskill. Look out for her content across LinkedIn and Instagram. Enjoy!
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In the next of our Bonus Episode's we chat to the brilliant Ken McGarrie, Passionate hospitality advocate, Founder of Korgen Hospitality in Chicago, USA and author of the superb "The Surprise Restaurant Manager". We get through loads including:- The career start Finding “A real Job” How people arrive at being a restaurant manager Where the book came from Asking for help I have the time The power of language Being alert to the first impression Being aware of your guests mood The complainers who don’t complain Covid US & UK Being thankful to your team Making your team "unpoachable" Psychology Whingeing The Surprise Restaurant Manager Ken’s pay it forward
And of course Ken's superb journey. The book rightly takes front and centre here and Ken has created an invaluable resource for the industry. A massive thank you to Ken for coming on to chat, especially at 4.00am his time! Enjoy!
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In this weeks episode of Hospitality Meets, we got some time with the wonderful Lorraine Copes, Founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality (https://www.bihospitality.co.uk (https://www.bihospitality.co.uk)), Procurement consultant and Life coach. It's a jam packed chat with another wonderful human with an exceptional journey. We talk about:- Being Purpose Led Starting in logistics Making pragmatic plans Working for brands you respect Working with Danny Meyer Managing change Career break Triangle of success Be Inclusive Hospitality Inclusion & diversity Coaching Authentic leadership Over eating at food tastings The Greg Wallace pallet
And of course Lorraine's fantastic journey. It's yet another indication of the variety of journeys and roles that you can do in this incredible industry culminating in Lorraine leading the conversation on inclusivity within the sector. Bravo Lorraine! Enjoy.
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I'm not going to lie, I'm a huge fan of the venue that today's guest leads. I got some time with Andrew Coggings, Managing Director of Entertaining and Hospitality at the Goodwood Estate (https://www.goodwood.com (https://www.goodwood.com)). It's an epic chat and we get through loads including:- The Festival of Speed The values of Goodwood Bottling selfies Growing up in Durham Going against careers advice The Caterer & Hotelkeeper Being headhunted to Hilton Moving to Dubai Being a forerunner hotel Moving to South Africa Using Rugby to get a job Being in SA for 1995 Rugby world Cup Pressurised refurbishments Harry Murray as a mentor Langkawi The importance of contracts Moving back to UK Doormats Slaley Hall Buying a pub Running a burger restaurant The Goodwood magic dust Trust & Respect The Duke Salman Rushdi and Rats Nelson Mandela and Photo’s
And so much more. Andrew treats us to many a story throughout his chat and I'm grateful for the time he gave me. Enjoy!
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Episode 78, the day that Hospitality Meets ACTUALLY MET SOMEONE. Yes, this week, we got some actual face to face time with the epicness that is Paul Spencer, Operations Director at Locke (https://www.lockeliving.com). He shared some time with me out of his more than hectic schedule at the beautiful Bermonds Locke, one of the newest properties in the ever expanding Locke portfolio. Paul is all action from the get go and you can tell he's abundantly passionate about what he does which means we get through loads in our short time, including:- Bermondsey People and culture School Starting as a chef Moving to front of house Learning The support network Mentors Working from portacabins Dealing with clashes Taking the first GM role Moving around Golf London Beating your revenue manager on rates IHG Being out of your depth Learning lessons Finding your home
Paul is one of Hospitality's inspirational leaders and I found his energy infectious for all the right reasons. Our chat also made me realise that I need to upgrade my "out and about" kit. Enjoy!
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There are so many exceptional people in hospitality and this week we got some time with yet another of those. We chat to Aseem Kapoor, Founder & Chief ARK-itect at Ark People Solutions (https://arkpeoplesolutions.com). We chat about:- Being an Ark-itect Travel plans The first meeting Standing meetings Heated debates Creating positive work environments Early path to becoming a doctor Hotel openings Defining brands Creating culture Job titles Leadership Starting your own business Kindness Enjoying what you do Who are you? Laughing through hysteria Breaking in to a hotel Ark and the future Creating Apps
And of course Aseem's amazing journey. Aseem talks with so much business intelligence it's a cracking chat, not to be missed. Enjoy!
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Well, what a lovely treat we have in store for you today. We got some time with the awesome humans at the sharp end of the Institute of Hospitality (https://www.instituteofhospitality.org), Kellie Rixon, Chair and Robert Richardson, the new CEO. We chat about: The Tom cruise of the Hospitality Industry Richard Robertson World exclusives The impact of the weather How Robert’s appointment came about Serendipity Recording conversations with yourself The support Signatures Roberts email strategy Walking I’m In Collaboration Robert’s Instagram Phil Street Love in
and of course we talk through the story behind Roberts appointment and what the future holds. It's an exciting time I'm super excited to see what this new appointment will bring. Enjoy!
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In the first of our two chats with the Institute of Hospitality (https://www.instituteofhospitality.org), we got some time with outgoing CEO Peter Ducker. No doubt Peter has forged an enviable career and we were honoured to have a chat with him ahead of his end of June departure from the Institute. As always, we got through a lot including:- Getting an early start Defying careers advisors Heading off to London Taking the road less travelled Having a mentor Moving into sales and marketing Starting capital breaks Moving into a public company Redundancy Starting your own business The rich tapestry of life Setting up a code of conduct Giving back Taking the IOH Reins Getting the house in order Catering for a Gibbon April fools
It's a wonderful chat with a wonderful human and we wish Peter all the best in his next chapter. Enjoy!
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What a treat we have for you this week as we bring you the natural story teller that is Debra Ward, Global Transition Director at ISS Facility Services UK. Debra has some brilliant stories from a truly spectacular career built in many areas of hospitality. As always, we get through lots including:- Starting out in Canada Working the family business Calling out your professors Moving to the city Working with Wolfgang Puck The comedy and safety of small town Respecting local customs Jail time in Kuwait Moving to the Gambia The African pride Being interrogated Studying without google and the internet Bringing experience to facilities services Jelly Bellies V Jelly Beans Toilet paper interview questions The power of language Human experience in the work place Joining a start up Storytelling FOMO Ingenuity at work
And of course Debra's fantastic career story so far. We really just scratched the surface from a phenomenal journey and look forward to more from Debra in the future. Enjoy!
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Ahhhh, Drink. We all love it. But not all drinks are made equally and today's guest is part of a team who have produced a world class no alcohol beer. As a fanboy, I was delighted I got some time with Felix von Hurter, Co-Founder of No Alcohol drinks guru's Freestar Drinks (https://freestar.co (https://freestar.co)). As always, we cram in loads including:- Facebook advertising The need for hospitality’s return Starting in flavours and fragrance Sipsmith The rise and rise of Gin Lame and Soda The de-alcoholising process Having a positive impact on the planet Liquid engineering What it takes to pioneer a product Winning a world beer award Occasions for generations The emergence of the Alcohol free category Lo & No perceptions Sunk cost fallacy Palate fatigue The future The now
It's a cracking chat and Felix and his Co-founders level of tenacity is to be applauded but it is most certainly worth it. They have produced a world class product. Enjoy.
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When I started this podcast, I had no idea what stories I'd uncover. Well, today's story is an absolute belter! I got some time with the crew of HospoRow, A 250km row up the west coast of Scotland across 72 continuous hours, all to raise money for Hospitality Action. The crew consisted of Elsa De Jager - People & Culture Director at Guest House Hotels, Angus Collins - Founder at Beyond Endurance, Josh McIntyre - Group Bars Manager at Caravan Restaurants and Will David - CEO & Founder at Fixture Calendar. This chat talks through the challenge from inception through to completion covering off:- How it came about Moving from Spain to Scotland The beauty of Scotland Injured Angus Elsa the land boss Putting the team together Setting the date Training The Scottish weather Having to adapt the plan The boat Elsa’s Chunder Plunder The mental side Night 2 The support The fund raising Hospitality Action
It's a packed chat with 4 awe inspiring human beings. Congrats guys! Enjoy!
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This week we move into the world of consulting and we got some time with brilliant Mike Stocks, Founder of Mike Stocks Consulting (https://mikestocks.co.uk (https://mikestocks.co.uk)) and known as "the wine guy" (He's got a lot more knowledge than merely wine). We cover off a lot, including:- Boris' road map Travel plans Working in a meat processing factory Holding down 2 part time jobs Uni Giving up the law The start at Carluccios Following your own passion Barista/Barrister Training Moving into drink Buying wine Branching out internationally Openings Becoming a diplomat The Turkish/Italian/English breakfast Obvs The need to evolve and stay agile Moving into consulting Adding value Demystifying wine Cider Kitchen training without gas Know your bars in Turkey And of course Mike's brilliant story.
Mike demonstrates that it's good to be aware of opportunity as it presents itself and how that has added a wonderful richness to his career which allows him to offer exceptional consulting services around so many things. Bravo Mike Enjoy!
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I'm super excited to bring you our next Bonus Episode. There are over 240,000 self employed people working within Hospitality in the UK as of Q4 in 2020. With a pandemic shifting the work force, that number is set to rise. Today's guest speaks directly to anyone who considers themselves self employed. We got some time with inspirational force that is Jeffrey Shaw (https://www.jeffreyshaw.com/ (https://www.jeffreyshaw.com/)), Author, Podcaster, Speaker, Coach and all round self employed guru. We specifically delve into Jeffrey's most recent book, "The Self Employed Life" (https://www.jeffreyshaw.com/the-self-employed-life (https://www.jeffreyshaw.com/the-self-employed-life)), released on 4th May 2021. We get through loads including:- Embracing change Recessions and self employment Gratitude for where you live Selling eggs Photography Traditional jobs Follow what's unfolding The importance of sanitisation Business travel and sleep The logic of business The adaptive music industry The comfort of brand The Self employed life podcast Being the professional guest Personal development Getting passed overwhelm Daily habits Self employment myths Setting intentions What’s going right? Why the book exists
In addition, Jeffrey talks us through his incredible story so far with 4 decades notched up as self employed. Phil even describes this as a coaching session in its own right. Enjoy!
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Another wonderful story from hotels awaits you this week. We got some time with the superb Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels (https://www.crerarhotels.com (https://www.crerarhotels.com)) in Scotland. This is a packed chat and we cover off:- Gaining qualifications Moving to Scotland Ayr Winning or learning DJing Club de Mar Troon Edinburgh Moving around with Jarvis Becoming a GM Moving into quality Cornell University Coopetition Being the ambassador for your brand Getting the first regional role Breaking the glass ceiling Stretching yourself Stretching others Effort Looking after yourself The pager 3 spoon puddings Aviemore Finding Crerar Hotels Beans, red socks and dogs Being proper dog friendly The Crerar trust A Deer called Bob Buying snow in a ski resort
And so much more. Chris has got some cracking stories from his career so far as well as more than his fair share of golden nuggets. It's a chat not to be missed. Enjoy!
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When I started this humble show, I dreamed of hunting out the characters, the charmers, the ones who put humour at the heart of everything they do. In the absence of all that, I found today's guest (Jokes). I got some time with the brilliant and always witty Andrew Coney, General Manager at the beautiful The Hari London (https://www.thehari.com/london (https://www.thehari.com/london)) My word we get through a lot including The view from The Hari, The weather (again), Phil’s Dog, delivering careers talks, early memories of hotels, eccentric Hoteliers, getting rejected, Trust House Forte, making pâté for royalty, kitchen lessons, London, The Algarve, Moving into golf resorts, Northumberland, the angle that grass grows, Instilling pride, making family distance work, opening a hotel in the UK political hub, not taking yourself too seriously, positive stalking, creating moments, the Birth of The Hari, being there for your guest, Mental Health, sarcasm as a legacy, Joe Biden, meeting the queen and so much more. Andrew places humour firmly at the centre of our chat and it's never too far away. I'm eternally grateful for Andrew's time and energy in this chat. Enjoy!
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In another of our bonus episodes, we got some time with Kris Hall, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project (www.theburntchefproject.com) a non-profit campaign and clothing brand operating within hospitality to challenge mental health stigma. Rightfully, this is a topic that is getting more discussion time and I was delighted to chat about this so openly with Kris. As you can imagine, Mental Health dominates our discussion but we also cover Somerset, a start out of the industry, food wholesaling, food terminology, figuring out how to get back in your depth, coming to terms of with mental health issues, reading the signs, overthinking, seeking help, establishing values, learning psychology, the start of the Burnt Chef project, setting up support services, getting to the root cause, stigma, the impact on business, mental health epidemic, Roundtable, suicide, media portrayal of mental health, starting a podcast, Merch, men v women and the future of the project. I really can't thank Kris enough for sharing his story so openly. Please share this podcast as far as you can so that he can continue to build on the amazing work already achieved. Enjoy!
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What a treat we have for you today as we have someone who has built an amazing career so far but backs this up with extra work she does for the https://www.instituteofhospitality.org (Institute of Hospitality) and Charities such as https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk (Hospitality Action) We got some time with the amazing Brenda Collin, Executive Vice President for Europe at Preferred Hotels & Resorts (https://preferredhotels.com (https://preferredhotels.com)). As usual, we get in loads including the Budget, job titles, life on the farm, wanting to travel, working in a pub, applying for University, University life, starting with Hilton, the First GM role, moving into regional sales, Takeovers takeovers takeovers, starting a business, contracts, joining Preferred Hotels, partnering, the preferred family, the hospitality family, mentoring, hospitality Action, Dogs, IOH and so much more. Brenda talks us through her story with great passion and humility. Not to be missed. Enjoy!
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As part of our Bonus series, we are delighted to showcase the amazing work that Dorothee Schiesser is doing as Founder and President of the waste soap upcyclers, SapoCycle (https://sapocycle.org/ (https://sapocycle.org/)). SapoCycle is a non-profit organisation that collects discarded soaps in hotels and turns them into life-saving products. The soaps are recycled by people with disabilities and then distributed to improve sanitary conditions of families in need. We chat through Dorothee's story as well as the weather, moving to French Polynesia, Starting as a Journalist, Moving to Africa, luxury v poverty, art, soap and hotels, the start of SapoCycle, the soap upcycling process, hard v liquid soap, The origins of soap, educating through cleanliness, having a social impact, corporate social responsibility, The Co2 impact, social franchising, plastic roads and so much more. Enjoy!
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What a corker we've got for you this week. We got some time with the bundle of positive energy and influence that is Andrew Fishwick, CEO of Salt (www.worthoursalt.com) & The Pepper Collective (http://www.thepeppercollective.com (http://www.thepeppercollective.com)). We get through lots including Pitcher & Piano, cashing up in the olden days, similarities between hospitality and theatre, buying a pub, private equity, starting a marketing consultancy, the diversity of the client portfolio, the inner workings of Salt, working with creatives, fixing things, plugging in specialisms, blurring the lines, having fun in business, Phil taking 10%, Luck, setting up the win win, being omni channelled, sustainable business, the 3 P’s, Le Gavroche and of course Andrew's story so far. Andrew is all action and chats with such vigour and energy that it's hard not jump on board. His story is another example of what is possible in this incredible industry. Enjoy!
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In the 2nd of our episodes this week, we chat to another of London's brightest talents, Anthony Raffo - Head Chef at Anglo (https://anglorestaurant.com (https://anglorestaurant.com)) and Foraging and Fermenting maestro. We get through so much including school, choosing cooking over hairdressing, breakfast - the most important meal, learning (Or not) from the old school, the influence of mum, supporting your local butcher, finding your creative space, being on Ramsay’s kitchen nightmares (sort of), adapting to Michelin starred cooking, eating snow, Auberge Du Lac, working with the other half, eating with your eyes, foraging, Tattoo’s, The pattern of life, getting hands on with renovation, smoking the restaurant out, the creative process and so much more. Anthony is at the top of his game and has definitely found somewhere that plays to his strengths. Another restaurant we recommend highly so get yourself booked in as soon as you can. Enjoy!
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In the week where Hospitality began it's reopening journey, we bring you the first of 2 chats this week. We chat to Robbie Lorraine, Founder and Executive Chef at Only Food & Courses (https://www.onlyfoodandcourses.co.uk (https://www.onlyfoodandcourses.co.uk)), serving up some of the most innovative food in London. We get through loads including snow, Only food & Courses, only fools & horses, First restaurant memory, family food memories, rock cake school hustles, GNVQs, Getting a start with Aramark, moving to fine dining, Directors dinners, The competition circuit, working 3 jobs, David Beckham of the kitchen world, discipline, event catering, creating food experiences, airport food, always forward never back, launching in a lockdown, vegetables in deserts, The future, London Kitchen Social, Networking and so much more. Robbie is at the top of his game and we cannot wait to get down to Pop Brixton to get all over that tasting menu. Enjoy!
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This week we got some time with rising superstar and all round bundle of energy Catrina Pengelley, Founder of the Nerdy Hotelier (https://thenerdyhotelier.weebly.com (https://thenerdyhotelier.weebly.com)). Like a lot of people in the hospitality industry, 2020 saw Cat lose her job in sales but rather than getting all down beat about that, she dusted herself off and got on with it, founding the Nerdy Hotelier Blog and generally making a positive nuisance of herself. In our chat, we get through loads, including The glory of a podcast, podcast networking, early academia, Vancouver, working the line, finding your passion, Canada’s Historic hotels, high level job interview techniques, re-enacting Deadpool scenes, moving to the Rockies, very cool winters, drinking vodka up a mountain, the wildlife of Canada, moving to Europe, being organised, the northern lights, moving the cat, London Not London, the beauty of Danesfield House, redundancy as opportunity, grabbing the bull by the horns, the Nerdy Hotelier, The redundancy support roadmap, the Christmas Special podcast and THAT Intro, sending bags to the wrong room and so much more. Cat has a cracking story so far and she tells it with such passion and joy. Enjoy!
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Today's guest yet again highlights the diversity of opportunity that exists within hospitality. We got some time with the sensational Katy Moses, Founder and Managing Director of Kam Media (https://kam-media.co.uk (https://kam-media.co.uk)). We get through loads including Lockdown handling, service, research, sell me this pen, having folders thrown at your head, recruitment, Starting Kam in a weekend, big picture thinking, one direction, starting chat shows, podcasts, being landed in the shit, failure, keeping hospitality afloat, the flexibility of hospitality, post lockdown insights, at home kits, BII, Plan B mentoring, gaining more equality, The mystical time of 1am, The licensee’s index and so much more This is a fast paced chat from the word go and Katy talks us through her journey with so much humour and humility. Thanks so much Katy Enjoy
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What better time to start a business than in a pandemic right? Well, todays guest has started not one, but two wonderful enterprises. As Phil puts it early on "You're clearly a glutton for punishment". We got some time with the wonderful human being that is Ed Walker, Founder of Fika Catering (https://fikacatering.com (https://fikacatering.com)) and Bloom Coffee (https://bloom-coffee.org (https://bloom-coffee.org)), two wonderfully and mutually beneficial enterprises. We get through loads including starting businesses in a pandemic, change please, coffee, leadership, GNVQ, potato rumblers, regal MDs, The Ned, birthday initiations, stretching your budget, learning to get creative, climbing the ranks, making mistakes, blagging your way through life, mutual respect, The Fika way, rats on chefs desk, service of others and of course Ed's excellent It's clear that Ed places ethics at the heart of everything he does and is creating something which we think sounds superb and we wish him huge success. Enjoy!
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What I love about chatting to such a variety of people from Hospitality is one, exactly that, the variety of stories is incredible but two, sometimes I get to stumble on such a wonderful human story that it makes me feel incredibly lucky. Enter, Peter Avis the General Manager at the quite wonderful Galvin at Windows on London's Park Lane (https://galvinrestaurants.com/restaurant/galvin-at-windows-mayfair (https://galvinrestaurants.com/restaurant/galvin-at-windows-mayfair)). Peter talks as openly on his struggles as he does on his successes and as a result, it's a wonderfully honest and vulnerable chat. In addition, we get through loads including Humble beginnings, huddling around a phone box, the natural hospitality of Liverpool, Bread (The TV show), heading to Miami, getting your start, the importance of others believing in you, the boldness of youth, the importance of exceptional leadership, staff food, surrounding yourself with great people, dyslexia, building people up, marrying brand with culture, Virgin, Richard Branson, The roof gardens, Visiting the Virgin Galactic Spaceport, the tumbling of the pillars, following Fred Sirieix, doing more with less, the Diversity of opportunity in hospitality and Peter's wonderful journey. It really is a cracker. Enjoy!
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What a corker we've got for you this week. We got time (somehow) with the incredibly busy and rather awe inspiring Chef & Restaurant Magazine (https://chefpublishing.com/ (https://chefpublishing.com/)) Editor, Claire Bosi. Claire is also the driving force behind the wonderful and necessary #seatatthetable campaign to try and ensure we have a minister for hospitality going forward (https://www.seatatthetable.org.uk/ (https://www.seatatthetable.org.uk/)). This is action packed from the word go covering off nuggets such as Boris’s roadmap, creating the best publication there is, launching a magazine in March 2020, keeping morale up, uninspiring starts, The Merchant House, grabbing the bull by the horns, starting from scratch, husband and wife teams, the tale of the wonky chair, Ludlow food scene, Michelin Stars, worth a detour, 2 v 3 star, Michelin Secret agents, ghost writing, Chef & Restaurant Magazine, campaigning, Running like Forest Gump, #seatatthetable, petitions, the amazing Angela Hartnett, what is a substantial meal, forgetting the Michelin inspectors order and so much more. Claire is a natural story teller and she tells her story with such passion and energy, it really is a cracker Enjoy Chef & Restaurant Magazine Instagram @chefpublishing Twitter @chefpublishing Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chefpublishing/ (https://www.facebook.com/chefpublishing/) Seat at the Table Linktree https://linktr.ee/Seat_at_the_table (https://linktr.ee/Seat_at_the_table)
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In honour of the fact that next week is International Women's Day we got some time with awe inspiring woman that is Natalia Ribbe, Founder of Ladies of Restaurants (https://www.ladiesofrestaurants.com (https://www.ladiesofrestaurants.com)) and Barletta in Margate (https://barletta.co.uk (https://barletta.co.uk)). It's an all action chat and we get through lockdown baking habits, dinner parties, wine pairings, The performance that is service, Staring at Leonardo Di Caprio, early misadventures, dealing with bullying, How small the world is, going freelance, teaching tea to the British, the start of Ladies of Restaurants, winning best dish at Taste of London, Joan of Baltimore, Growth, going global, helping women, setting up in Margate, places that used to be "less gentrified", community, writing a book of stories and of course Natalia's awesome journey. The work that Natalia is doing around Ladies of Restaurants is phenomenal and I am super delighted to support this amazing community in any way that I can. Natalia is also responsible for our favourite guest photo so far. Thanks for joining us Natalia! Enjoy!
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HOSPITALITY IS AWESOME!!! Spread the word. Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a FUN centric podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted chat centred around their story to date, covering off all the fun, stupid, quirky and terrifying things that happen along the way. We might even cover off some intellectual stuff as well... but probably not. Phil will be chatting to every corner of the Industry including the operators, the HR guru's, the marketeers, the chefs, the engineers, the financiers, the creators the rising stars, the producers, you name it. All to showcase the diversity of opportunity that exists and the fun you will inevitably have along the way. So whether you're in Hospitality already or are just Hospitality curious, then come on in for a laugh and some insight into the greatest industry on earth. Don't forget to hit Subscribe across your favourite podcast app
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Today's guest is one of the inspirations as to why I started the show. We welcome Scott MacDonald, Managing Director of Artisan Food Champions Sourced Market (https://sourcedmarket.com (https://sourcedmarket.com)). Today's chat packed full of content including being nice, being the inspiration for others, Leading through kindness, being the only male in a house, talking to hamsters, creating food experiences in Selfridges, the world's most expensive sandwich, inspiring leaders, being in the green room on This Morning, values, trust, Bills, fast growth, innovation, Sourced Market, getting recognition all told against a backdrop of Scott's wonderful journey. I'm a big believer in leading through kindness and Scott demonstrates it's worth throughout. Thanks Scott. Enjoy!
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What an absolute treat we have for you this week (I know, they're all treats really). We welcomed Marc Dardenne on the show, COO of Luxury Brands in Europe for Hotel heavy weights, Accor (https://all.accor.com/ (https://all.accor.com)). This chat is packed full of stories and amazing insight from one the world's premier Hoteliers. We cover off learning from adversity, The beauty of Switzerland, The adventure of hospitality, open air lobbies, travel, Bali, the value of processes, culture, respect, practical v theory, finding your passion, leadership, hiring nice people, personality profiling, Dubai construction, staff engagement, a fond farewell, welcoming experiences, 8 hours in stilettos, the brilliance of Giorgio Armani, Accor & Luxury and so much more. I'm so grateful to Marc for giving us his time to share his incredible journey with us. Enjoy
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We've been lucky enough to connect with such a diverse group of people from within the Hospitality Industry on our chats so far and today's episode, is no exception. We chatted to Louise Kissack, Founder of Spaghetti Group (https://www.spaghettigroup.com (https://www.spaghettigroup.com)) and Liverpool Food Network (https://www.spaghettigroup.com/liverpool-food-network (https://www.spaghettigroup.com/liverpool-food-network)). The usual rules apply, we get through loads including EXP101, construction, bars, being fascinated by other people, design, MacDonald's, the psychology of customer behaviour, teaching English, drive-through, the bin lorry and bin fairies, the Apple of Laundromats, the brilliance of looking locally, the Liverpool Food network, fake influencers, collaboration, The Positives of Covid, run ins with customs, old ladies smuggling bananas, using beagles at border control and of course Louise's awesome journey. Louise talks with such knowledge and humour throughout, it really is another wonderful chat with someone at the top of their game. Enjoy Follow Louise and her work Instagram Spaghetti Group @spaghettigroup Liverpool Food Network @liverpoolfoodnetwork Facebook https://www.facebook.com/liverpoolfoodtrends (https://www.facebook.com/liverpoolfoodtrends)
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A side of hospitality we haven't yet delved into is Procurement. In today's episode we put that to bed. We chat to John Stevenson, Co-Founder of Zero Procure (https://zeroprocure.com (https://zeroprocure.com)). John has a long and illustrious career as a serial entrepreneur with his roots firmly within Hospitality. As always, we get through loads including the weather, being teased about accents, adapting young, early jobs, nightlife in Edinburgh, craft ale, the pro’s of Travel, taking over from movie directors, adding value in business, walking around London, Management buyouts, procurement, Utopian business, working hard, Hospitality - Life’s best educator, naming people after drink, Foundation zero and of course Johns amazing journey. John talks with humility and humour throughout, another wonderful chat. Enjoy
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What do you get when you cross intellect with humour? The answer is ..... Todays guest Dr. Ioannis Pantelidis, Director of Doctoral Studies at Brighton University and all round Hospitality Warrior. Ioannis talks us through his wonderful, story driven journey with such humour at every turn, it was an absolute pleasure to chat with him and once again demonstrates all the many different avenues available in hospitality as a career. We cover Hospitality Warriors, Hospitalers, the family business, Missing trains, Arriving at Gleneagles, whisky, bagpipes, Re-introduction programs for haggis, early tech disasters, working nights, training, career negotiation, serendipity, wearing tight chef whites, PHD, the fountain of knowledge, how we learn, education, critical and creative thinking, Ioannis the storyteller, 12 days of Christmas and so much more. Ioannis is a natural and we hope you love your time listening as much as we did chatting. Enjoy.
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Q. What does it take to become a Hotel CEO? A. There are very different paths and today's guest demonstrates that point perfectly. We got some time with always excellent David Hart, CEO of RBH Hospitality Management and most definitely one of Hospitality's good guys. David will take the reigns in his role more or less a week after this episode is released. We chat about lots including accounting, Glasgow, listening to your own voice, CEO’s who talk to themselves, culture, turning around redundancy situations, job offers in economic crisis, making the wrong decisions, the benefit of not burning bridges, Student accommodation, the evolution of hotels, the changing face of investment, the importance of the team, out of your depth lessons, letting people go, becoming a CEO, maximising your opportunities, I could go on and of course we cover off David's brilliant journey. It's another insight into the varied journeys this incredible industry offers, even in the face of adversity. Enjoy! Time Stamps [2:19] - David is far too humble [3:15] - Tragically an accountant [3:56] - Phil knackers himself out 2 minutes in [4:01] - Start talking about double entry and that’s everybody gone [5:59] - Other cities other than Glasgow [6:41] - You said the word Scottish about as Scottish as someone can say it [19:23] - David demonstrates some incredible decision making [22:53] - It also shows you that hospitality rules [29:21] - Hospitality challenges come in all shapes and sizes [35:36] - This is an upbeat podcast and I intend to keep it that way [47:31] - I’ve still not re-joined the same company for the third time yet [47:46] - In 18 months I got about 5 years of experience [49:57] - If you are gonna leave then don’t ever show your face again [53:38] - You might have finance Licked [54:13] - We’ll never know if there would have been a better candidate [61:07] - Glasgae Kisses [62:32] - Survival is the new winning
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Some people are born to be in Hospitality, todays guest is certainly one such person. We got some time with the always upbeat Andrew D Scott, Managing Director of Victus Catering Consultancy (https://www.victusconsultancy.co.uk (https://www.victusconsultancy.co.uk)), business owner, author, public speaker and now voice over artist for Sky. We talk about so much including Scottish Accent, starting business, stovies, becoming a GM at age 22, staying humble, lecturing, hedging your bets in business, having an epiphany, being committed, experiences involving Smeg fridges, learning from disasters, channelling your inner Mr Selfridge, shouting about all the good stuff, mental health, helping others, great wall of china and so much more. There's so many amazing nuggets in here as well as some superb stories. We really do need more people like Andrew in Hospitality, he's most certainly a force for the good and positive. Enjoy! Follow Andrew here:- Twitter @victusconsult Instagram @victusconultancy Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VictusCateringConsultancy (https://www.facebook.com/VictusCateringConsultancy) LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/victus-catering-consultancy/about/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/victus-catering-consultancy/about/) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victus-Andrew-D-Scott/dp/132611185X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=andrew+d+scott&qid=1610559344&sr=8-1 (Victus Book) available on amazon Show transcription Coming soon
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Happy New Year! And what better way to start the year than by chatting to someone from the world of learning and development. Not only that but we went straight to the top and got some time with Beth Aarons, Global Director at the world class Dorchester Collection Academy (www.dorchestercollection.com/en/academy). Beth has forged an incredible career so far working in and out of industry with some phenomenal brands. We chat about early Tiers, Dorchester Collection, How the Academy was born, the training spaces, being thrown in the deep end, knowing when to say no, the balance of ambition and humility, using leadership to navigate a crisis, remaining flexible, the amazement of humanity, City Inn, star ratings, the perception of value and so much more. It's a cracker, Beth really is at the top of her game. Enjoy Show Transcription Coming soon
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This week, we got some time with Hotel Human Resources Legend, Jon Dawson, recently appointed Group Director of People Development at Lore Group (https://loregroup.com (https://loregroup.com)). Jon has forged an enviable career so far working in some iconic hotels including the St Pancras Renaissance, The London Edition and the Mandarin Oriental. As always, we get through lots including reciprocal back scratching, exercise, football, USA, Marriott, the beauty of the St Pancras Renaissance, picking your interview attire, haunted offices, new openings, practical joking, being inspired, perception of value, mentors and so much more. There's also more than a few references in here to Episode 26 guest and fellow HR legend, Eugenio Pirri demonstrating the togetherness in the industry greatly. Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming soon
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Happy 50th to us! We couldn't let our 50th episode pass without doing something a little different so to celebrate we've got an extra special guest.... Me! Otherwise known as the Co-Founder and Director of Momentum Hospitality Recruitment Ltd and the Founder and host (Normally) of this podcast. But don't worry, you don't have to listen to me interviewing myself. I enlisted 2 wonderful ex guests, from episode 4, Robert Richardson and from episode 7, Katherine Price. We get through loads including The isle of Tiree, learning ethics, management, common sense, travel, P&O Cruises, lessons, being honest with yourself, being curious, recruitment, Motorbike crashes, the stretch zone, hospitality - the career of choice and the industry of dreams!, legacy, Hmmmm and of course my general story. A massive thank you to everyone who has been on the show far and to those that have agreed to be in the future. There is no show without you all so lets keep raising the bar on the sending positive messages about our incredible industry. Enjoy!
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In an effort to pull a curtain across 2020, we put together a Christmas Special episode where we pull in people from all over the industry to tell us all a tale of Christmas past from Hospitality. We've got Cyrus Todiwala, Kellie Rixon, Cat Pengelly, Simon Taylor, Hayley Connor, Kellie Rixon, Elsa De Jager, Liam Wood, Kate Nicholls and Andrew Scott who join Kieron Bailey, Chris Fletcher and me, Phil Street, as we cover off Public speaking, amazing customer service, poo, brushes with the law, sponging music, alcohol, unhelpful services, confused guests, drag acts and so much more. We're delighted to have worked in collaboration with EXP101 (https://www.experience101.live (https://www.experience101.live)) & Harri (https://harri.com (https://harri.com)) to bring you this episode as part of EXP's Christmas Puddings to raise money for Hospitality Action (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk (https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk)). Please DONATE Anything you can by following this link https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/actionah (https://tip.wearetipjar.com/p/actionah) We hope this brings you a little moment of joy in amongst all the madness of this year. Merry Christmas everyone!
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In our 3rd Bonus of December (It is the giving season after all), we air our chat with Kieron Bailey and Marcus Weedon who, together with www.caterer.com, have put together a monumental resource for the industry. There's so much content, written, spoken and video, to help hone and better your job searching strategies at a time when it's very much needed. In addition to talking about this, we also cover Kieron’s visits to the show, podcast experience, backgrounds, caterer.com careers hub, why it exists, doing good, job searching, now pause, Phil (Wrongly) pulling Kieron up on words, nowpause, mindfulness, job search fatigue, evolution of an idea, hospitality family, phrases on t-shirts and much more. It's a cracking piece of work, vast does not even cover it. Resources Access the hub here - https://www.caterer.com/advice/career-advice (https://www.caterer.com/advice/career-advice) Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming soon
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When I started the podcast there was a list of aspirational guests that I would have loved to get some time with. Douglas McMaster was on that list. Founder of Silo (https://silolondon.com/ (https://silolondon.com/)), the UKs first zero waste restaurant now based in London having originally been in Brighton. Not only did he have to come up with a food concept but actually had to rethink pretty much every facet of running a restaurant. It's a fascinating chat with so many amazing nuggets from Douglas. We get through loads including launching business in lockdown, zero waste in the home, Making the world zero waste, zero waste pillars, recycling, quality focus, food education, super farmers markets, pre-industrial food systems, Ecosia, proving the doubters wrong, the importance of stages, future food system, Joost Bakker, Ted talks, lessons, The best carrots in the world and Douglas' amazing journey. It's a corker and to be heard even if you don't work in Hospitality. Thanks Douglas Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming Soon
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In the next of our series of Bonus episode, and having just been a little inspired by the story of Mohamed Ali in episode 41, we chatted to Christopher Moore, The CEO of The Clink Charity (https://theclinkcharity.org (https://theclinkcharity.org)), the charity set up to reduce reoffending through the training and rehabilitation of prisoners. Hospitality plays a huge role in this. In today's chat we get through silver service, spoons, flying the nest, hotel evacuations, Harrods, 80’s food, F&B for shoppers, overcoming heart defect, training the public, The Clink - How it works!, Success stories, evolution and lots more including, of course, Christopher's story. Head over to their website to see all their latest campaigns. The work they are doing is vitality important. Follow the charity here:- Facebook - @ClinkHighDown Instagram - @theclinkrestaurant Twitter - @theclinkcharity Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE41Y7hY6XcPHHxU7C9fEw Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming soon
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We once again head across the land and seas to welcome this weeks guest. We were delighted to welcome the charismatic Robert Hauck, Managing Director of The Langham in Shanghai. Throughout our chat Robert demonstrates amazing leadership and it's clear he is a guy you could do with in a crisis. We chat about so much which includes dealing with crisis, apprenticeship, travel, keeping fit, mind body and soul, staying positive, enlisting the help of a Feng Shui master, concentrating on your strengths, Anything is possible, defining ultra luxury, delivering experiences, Phil’s fishing ineptitude, playing to your strengths, learning, culture and so much more. There are so many golden nuggets in here. Thanks Robert Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming soon
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There are a lot of great human beings out there. Today's guest is one such human being. We managed to have a chat with Greg Mangham, CEO and Founder of Only a Pavement Away (https://onlyapavementaway.co.uk), The charity for the employment of the homeless, ex-offenders and vulnerable veterans into careers within the hospitality industry. In today's chat Greg talks us through his journey including pubs, food, catering college, training, The Tote, Crisis (The charity), reaching crossroads, Tom Aikens, getting homeless into work, are you honest?, Greg’s biggest regrets, taking advice from others and of course the incredible work that they are doing. Head over to their website to see all their latest campaigns. The work they are doing is vitality important. Follow the charity here:- Facebook - @onlyapavementaway Twitter - @apavementaway Instagram - @only_a_pavement_away Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8m8VpjS8ecbH6U4F5xAKg Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming soon
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You may recall that one of the objectives of the podcast was to tell the stories of a wide variety of roles throughout the industry. Well, today we have another guest who ticks that box but not only that brings a story forward of real depth and power. I was delighted to get some time with Mitchell Collier, Reception Manager for the Newly Opened Mayfair Townhouse in London (www.themayfairtownhouse.com). Mitch has a superbly rich story with so many elements. We chat about the Mayfair Townhouse, Staffordshire Oatcakes, cake dealing, the brilliance of Le Manoir, Raymond Blanc as Winnie the Pooh, new openings, overcoming health problems, mental health, kindness, making guest dreams come true, golf buggies, Hospitality Action and so much more. I hope you enjoy as much as I did conducting it. Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming Soon
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I'm a lucky guy. On the show I get to speak to some amazing people from some amazing places. I'm a massive fan of today's guest and the property he occupies. I got some time with Jannes Soerensen, General Manager of The Beaumont Hotel (www.thebeaumont.com), a stunning 5 star boutique property in Londons Mayfair. My word we get through a lot including health, tech development, apprenticeships, concierge, shoulder massages, learning languages, career full circles, golden keys, The Orange Vesper, Barcelona, being happy, redeeming faith, knowing about the city you live in, taking control of your own inspiration, Travel, The Beaumont, 9ft Ice sculptures, I could go on. It's an amazing chat with someone who cares deeply about what he does whilst also showing that same care to the impact he can have. It's a belter! Enjoy! Show Transcription Coming soon
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There's a movement happening out there, can you feel it? We're starting to pay more attention to where our food comes from and what techniques are used in their production. Today's guest, Ben O'Brien, was way ahead of the curve, founding Sourced Market (https://sourcedmarket.com/ (https://sourcedmarket.com/)) in 2007, long before provenance was in the public eye. Ben now takes on a Chairman role with the company as they move forward and Ben looks to use his knowledge to help other start ups make a positive stride forward. In today's chat, we get through a lot including Puglia, St Pancras, Motorway services, Switzerland, food & music, setting up business, taking on corporate, luck & timing, Kings Cross regeneration, recession opportunities, crowd funding, food in travel sites, Risk, ethical and regenerative farming and of course Ben's own unique story as to how ended up doing all this. Ben shares his story so openly, it's great insight into how to launch your own business. Enjoy! Show transcription Coming soon
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I really am a lucky pup. There's so many stories of the different people and roles in hospitality that it will take several lifetimes to tell them all. Today's guests is an absolute cracker. I got some time with the inspirational beacon of positivity that is Kellie Rixon, Founder of Rixon Associates (http://rixonassociates.com (http://rixonassociates.com)) and the new Chair of the Institute of Hospitality (https://www.instituteofhospitality.org (https://www.instituteofhospitality.org)), the professional body for the Hospitality industry. As always, we get through so much including receiving an MBE, humour, endorphins, being the clever one, making a nuisance of yourself with the council, holiday parks, cleaning buses, change, uncovering talent, overcoming extreme adversity, IOH, debating, Everton v Liverpool, being busy and of course Kellie's incredible career story. It's full of energy and passion and really should not be missed. Enjoy! Show Transcription SPEAKERS Kellie Rixon, Phil Street Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil Street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is the amazing Kellie Rixon, founder of exit associates and the new chair of the Institute of Hospitality. Coming up on today's show... Kelly demonstrates that every day brings its own surprises... Kellie Rixon 00:22 And as I'm talking 2 armed police guys just walk in the back of the room, walk over to one of the guys tap him on the shoulder, he walks up, stands up and walks back out with them. Phil Street 00:32 Phil unconvincingly tries to rescue this statement... I'm always off, trying new stuff, and... all of it legal. And we learn that it really is amazing what you can find in a dumbwaiter... Kellie Rixon 00:44 Opening the dumb waiter one day to find one of the KPs sitting in there and his underpants... Phil Street 00:48 All that and a whole lot more as Kelly talks us through her incredible journey so far, which includes an amazing story of overcoming extreme adversity. Kelly talks with such energy and positivity throughout, it really is a story not to be missed. Don't forget, we launch a brand new episode each week telling the amazing and always amusing stories from hospitality. So make sure you hit that subscribe button and give us a like and share across your networks. Enjoy. Hello, and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me Phil Street. Today, I'm super excited to welcome to the show the recently elected Chair of the Institute of hospitality and founder of Rixon Associates, That is none other than Kellie Rixon. MBE. Kellie Rixon 01:28 Hi Phil Phil Street 01:30 How you doing? Kellie Rixon 01:30 I'm good, I like the pause before the MBE to just add some gravitas there. Thank you so much. Phil Street 01:36 Absolutely. I was trying to accentuate it so that we can make it a discussion point, which I'm sure we will. But well, actually, let's just go straight into that. What What did you get the MBE for? Kellie Rixon 01:46 I'm proud to say it was for services to hospitality. So yeah, it is something that has kind of really kind of made a difference in my life in terms of my pride in my work. It was a great moment, and it's kind of still is great to talk about it. Phil Street 02:04 Yeah, absolutely. And is it true that Prince Charles commented on how nice your dress was? Kellie Rixon 02:10 He actually did. And he also told me his opening line to me was "Thank God you're here. It's been incredibly dull so far". I thought that was great. I thought it was kind of bringing the party to the palace. Phil Street 02:23 Yeah, brilliant. Great stuff. We'll get into that in a little bit more depth as we as we go on. But how are you anyway? Kellie Rixon 02:31 Yeah, I'm really well, thank you for asking in a locked up Liverpool at the
43 episodes in and we finally chat to someone from contract catering, although today's guest has done far more than that. We speak to hospitality legend Simon Esner, Founder at Executive business mentoring Uncommon Sense (www.finduncommonsense.com). Simon is also still involved with Baxter Storey (https://baxterstorey.com (https://baxterstorey.com)) and WSH Ltd (https://www.wshlimited.com (https://www.wshlimited.com)) working with some world leading chefs and concepts. Simon has had an Epic career and life so far and has achieved so much, with much still to do. We only just scratch the surface of his story bank but nevertheless we chat about maintaining positivity, keeping the glass half full, family, mentors, electrics, food scene development, getting your break, pay rises, skiing, paper job adverts, Ford Cortina’s and of course his epic journey so far. Simon carries so much positivity and humour, it's infectious. Thanks so much Simon. Enjoy Show Transcription SPEAKERS Phil Street, Simon Esner Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Simon Esner Founder at uncommon sense, and all round hospitality legend. Coming up on today's show... Simon talks about the first time that he met Phil... Simon Esner 00:22 But when I got home, I said to my wife, I said this guy's a nutter Phil shows a unique command of the English language.... Phil Street 00:29 Yeah, you keep upgrading your life, it seems from a position of upgrade. And Simon gives us an exclusive on a new food and drink concept. He's been working on... Simon Esner 00:38 The dish of the day was a cup of tea, and a special was toast. Phil Street 00:42 All that and so much more as Simon talks us through his epic career journey to date. Simon really has built a life and career around having a positive mental attitude. And is proof as to what you can achieve when you keep believing, and when you surround yourself with extraordinary people. Nice work, Simon. Don't forget, we launch a brand new episode each week telling the amazing and always amusing stories from hospitality. So make sure you hit that subscribe button and give us a like and share across your networks. Let's share these stories as far as we can. Enjoy. Hello, and welcome to another edition of hospitality meets with me Your host Phil Street. It's not everyday you get to chat to someone who on the face of it seems to have touched the lives of quite a number of people in this industry. But today, we get to do just that, with some marquee brands and his background, including Baxter Storey, WSH limited, which is the parent company for many a familiar brand, but now also the founder of Uncommon Sense, which I'm sure we'll talk about in a lot more detail later on. I'm also delighted to have been on the receiving end of some mentoring from this chap. So I'm absolutely thrilled to welcome to the show, Simon Esner. Simon Esner 01:50 Well, good afternoon to you. And obviously, Phil, you've arranged the great weather, which is fantastic, because here we are in the middle of September the 14th, glorious, beautiful sunshine. And I get to sit and chat with you. And just reminisce about some good times, but also talk about the opportunities. So thank you for inviting me. Phil Street 02:12 Oh, my pleasure. And I think actually we've had a couple of chats over the last few months through this wonderful situation that we find ourselves and we probably would have had chats anyway. But on a couple of occasions, we've had the chat you've you've been sat in the sun, but but in Portugal, so I am glad we've got we've brought the sun to you in this country now as well. Simon Esner 02:34 Thank you very much. Yeah. So I've been on a few podcasts and zooms over this COVID period. And you're quite right. In fact, I think you...
This week we move back to hotels in big brand, big hotels and a big role. We got some time with Daniel Pedreschi, Regional Vice President Operations UK for PPHE Hotel Group (www.pphe.com). As always, we get through a lot including early career job titles, big bundles of keys, career catch 22’s, pigeons, refurbs, C&B, choosing your boss, events, awards, busy years, Master Inn Holders, snakes & of course Daniel's excellent career journey so far. Daniel talks us through his story with such energy and passion, it's clear he's doing what he was born to do. and there's also some cracking anecdotes involving pigeons and snakes. Apologies for the sound dropping in the odd place. Enjoy! Show Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS hotel, running, banqueting, opportunity, grosvenor house, manager, general manager, years, people, holders, working, property, key, fantastic, gm SPEAKERS Daniel Pedreschi, Phil Street Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Daniel Pedreschi, Regional Vice President of Operations for the UK at PPHE group. Coming up on today's show... Daniel maps out the two key rules for becoming a successful hotel GM... Daniel Pedreschi 00:23 Number one, don't burn the hotel down. And number two, don't pee in the flowerpots. Phil Street 00:29 Phil may have missed something in the news... but there's nothing going on in the world And Daniel highlights that even after 25 years in the business, you've never quite seen it all... Daniel Pedreschi 00:38 The security guard got a little bit cautious when the guy picked up a snake. Phil Street 00:42 All that and so much more as Daniel talks us through his story and journey to date with real energy. This was recorded remotely and some occasional sound loss was experienced. So apologies for that. Don't forget to give us a like and a share. Enjoy. Hello and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me Phil Street. Today we go big brand, big hotels, and a big role as we welcome to the show the Regional Vice President of Operations for the UK at PPHE Group. Daniel Pedreschi Daniel Pedreschi 01:12 Morning, Phil, Phil Street 01:13 How are you doing? Daniel Pedreschi 01:14 Yeah, very good. Thank you Now all things considered. Phil Street 01:17 Yeah. But there's nothing going on in the world is there? Daniel Pedreschi 01:21 Depends which radio station you listen to Phil Street 01:24 Its true, actually very true. Yeah. Where in the world are you at the moment? Daniel Pedreschi 01:29 I'm in sitting this morning in our Park Plaza Victoria. So we've returned to our head office, which is located in the original County Hall buildings just behind the London Eye. And I try and start each morning by just popping into at least one of the properties before I get into the office of bogged down with all the day to day Phil Street 01:52 Very good, Yeah, well, the sun is out today. It's like we're definitely getting an Indian summer at the moment. Daniel Pedreschi 01:59 Yeah, most definitely. Thankfully, not as as hot or humid as it had been in August. But it's given us a nice little reminder. Phil Street 02:08 Yeah, absolutely. Before we head into darkness anyway. Great. Well, as I mentioned in the little preamble, at the beginning, you've you've got certainly on the face of it something of a big role. But I'm guessing you didn't just arrive there must be a bit of a journey and a story to have gotten you there. So perhaps you could take us all the way back to the beginning. And just give us a walkthrough of your, your life so far, you don't have to start at birth, I should say that. Daniel Pedreschi 02:39 Listen, I think it's been one of the great things about the whole of the lockdown, his people have become very,...
When I started this podcast, one of my objectives was to keep things light and humorous, especially in the face of the seriousness of the lives we are all being asked to lead at the moment. But every now and again, Someone’s story comes along where light and humorous just doesn’t feel appropriate. In today’s episode we have one such story. It’s powerful, gripping, hopeful, moving and incredibly important. It’s a story that transcends Hospitality and I think needs to be heard by as many people as possible. So today, I’m stripping things right back, no music intro, no comedy moments just me, chatting to someone with a phenomenal story of transcendence. I’m delighted to introduce to you, Mohamed Ali who currently works at those legends over at https://www.wahaca.co.uk (Wahaca). Mohamed has quite literally been saved by the industry of hospitality and shows what kindness really can achieve. Mohamed’s strength is in how he is looking forward I’d urge you to listen to every single word of our chat and when you’re done, share it to as many places as you can, even beyond our incredible industry. It’s a story that needs to be heard and could save an awful lot of people. A huge thank you to Mohamed for being so open. Until then sit back, take a deep breath, and I hope you enjoy Mohamed’s story as much as I did Please Follow Mohamed's inspiring message of positivity in the following places:- Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGFWTvZLPb-vImhUnmvLGwg (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGFWTvZLPb-vImhUnmvLGwg) Instagram - @MI_Horizon Twitter - @Mo_Humaneskill Follow The Clink at:- Website - https://theclinkcharity.org (https://theclinkcharity.org) Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE41Y7hY6XcPHHxU7C9fEw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE41Y7hY6XcPHHxU7C9fEw) Twitter - @theclinkcharity Instagram - @theclinkrestaurant Show Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS people, life, Clink, hospitality, feel, Mohamed, thinking, prison, easy, situation, realise, gun, support, guess, hear, father, Somalia, choice, story, London SPEAKERS Phil Street, Mohamed Ali Phil Street 00:00 Hey, everyone. So here's the thing. When I started this podcast, one of my objectives was to keep things light and humorous, especially in the face of the seriousness of the lives we're all being asked to lead at the moment. But every now and again, someone's story comes along where light and humorous just doesn't feel appropriate. In today's episode, we've got one such story. It's powerful, gripping, hopeful, moving, and incredibly important. It's a story that transcends hospitality, and I think needs to be heard by as many people as possible. So today, I'm stripping things right back, no music intro, no comedy moments, just me chatting to someone with a phenomenal story of transcendence. I'm delighted to introduce Mohamed Ali, who currently works at those legends over at Wahaca. Mohamed has quite literally been saved by the industry of hospitality, and shows what kindness really can achieve. But his real strength is in how he's looking forward, I'd urge you to listen to every single word of our chat. And when you're done, share it to as many places as you can. Even beyond our incredible industry. It's a story that needs to be heard, and could save an awful lot of people. A huge thank you to Mohamed for being so open. Stay tuned to the end For information on where you can follow this inspirational guy. I'll also put the links in the show notes on our website, hospitalitymeets.captivate.fm, where you can also sign up to our weekly newsletter. Until then, sit back, take a deep breath. And I hope you enjoy Mohamed's story as much as I did. Hello, and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me, Phil Street. Today, I've got an absolute humdinger of a guest. As you all know by now, one of the objectives of the show was to tell as wide a variety of stories as possible from entry...
In the 2nd of our delves into the world of training & development, we chat to Simon Lewis, Operations Manager at HIT Training (www.hittraining.co.uk). We talk about Training, the future, getting out, The media, Hospitality options, transformer pyjamas, special biscuit tins, crashing tractors, evolution, golf, 19 crimes wine, networking, masks and so much more as well as Simon's wonderful and hilarious journey. Simon talks with such energy, it's clear he's doing what he's supposed to be doing. Also look out for some hilarious anecdotes from his life story so far. Thanks Simon Enjoy Show Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS people, hospitality, absolutely, organisation, programmes, industry, work, training, person, job, chef, learning, part, point, support, literally, remember, day SPEAKERS Simon Lewis, Phil Street Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Simon Lewis, Operations Manager for HIT training in the UK. Coming up on today's show... Simon conjures up some warm and fuzzy moments from his childhood, Simon Lewis 00:22 This little boys skipping along with his with his basket collecting the eggs in the morning. Phil Street 00:27 We all wonder how we ended up talking about this... And in the meantime, you can still have the odd day of working from home in your Bumblebee pyjamas And Simon wins the award for the most original sentence on the show so far... Simon Lewis 00:39 Within about 15 minutes I had an... well I say 15 minutes, after the sheep were put back in Phil Street 00:44 All that and so much more as Simon talks us through his story and journey to date along with some hilarious anecdotes from his life so far. Don't forget to give us a like and share across your favourite social channels. Enjoy. Hello and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me Phil Street. Today I'm joined by someone from the world of training and development, a fellow and committee member at the Institute of hospitality London, an advisory board member at Springboard, UK Operations Manager at HIT training, which is what he does for a day job pro... I can't even say this prolific pantomime performer, and all around nice guy Simon Lewis, welcome to the show. Simon Lewis 01:23 Oh, thank you my love prolific pantomime performer. That was a lot of p's all in one sentence. Phil Street 01:30 Yeah, I didn't realise that as I wrote that. Simon Lewis 01:33 (Laughs) Phil Street 01:34 Saying it was going to be the greatest challenge of my day. Simon Lewis 01:37 How are you? You alright? Phil Street 01:39 Yeah, great. How are you doing? Simon Lewis 01:41 feeling alright now? I mean, it's a bit dreary outside. And I'm just getting used to the fact of all my different zoom meetings that you end up doing. And anybody who hasn't been through the stage yet where you've spent the day in your pyjamas, and you're Homer Simpson slippers, then you're lying because we know you know, you know that everybody's actually done it. Or when someone turns around and they say, Oh, yeah, my, my camera's not working again, and you're like really that means you're not you're not dressed are you, you just got up and ironically before it was even me for coming on here with you. So that's all I get. Make sure do my hair and I'm not Simon, what do you doing? What What? What? What? Why are you trying to smarten yourself up? No one can see ya. Isn't it weird? Phil Street 02:26 No, absolutely. Why the I went very early on into using this platform that I use, which is not video orientated because obviously it's not a video content that I'm churning out. Simon Lewis 02:40 What you're saying you saying I've got a face radio? Phil Street 02:42 I say that about myself? Simon Lewis 02:43 (Laughs) Phil...
In the first of 2 episodes today, we delve into the world of training & development with Mike Worley, Operations Director at HIT Training (www.hittraining.co.uk) Mike has spent a fair few years in Training and Development and it's clear through our conversation that he's as passionate and energised as he's ever been. As always, we get through lots including The Kitchen, Restaurant, being gifted some tips, training, being given a chance, making your own luck, communication, life skills, educating schools and of course Mike's wonderful journey. Mike's conversation style is very anecdotal. It's a cracker. Enjoy! Show Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS people, hospitality, industry, organisation, apprenticeship, trainers, role, chef, job, hotel, sector, restaurant, staff, years, skills, pub, programme SPEAKERS Phil Street, Mike Worley Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Mike Worley, Operations Director for HIT training in the UK. Coming up on today's show... Mike gets aggressive towards Phil... Mike Worley 00:21 Who do you think you are trying to tell us what to do type of thing Phil Street 00:24 Phil strikes back with a line of his own... That's down to you, you need to take a look at yourself in the mirror. And Mike tells of a time of High Jinx in the kitchen... Mike Worley 00:32 And he got the head and the four trotters just underneath the lid looking up Phil Street 00:37 All that and so much more as Mike talks us through His story and journey to date, as well as talking about the world of training and all that can add to the business. Don't forget we release a new episode every Wednesday. So we'd love for you to hit that subscribe button on your favourite podcast app and give us a like and share it across your favourite social channels. Enjoy. Hello, and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me Phil Street. Today we're joined again by someone from the world of trading. Having had a chat with one of his colleagues, Simon Lewis earlier, I'm delighted to be joined by Operations Director for HIT training. Mike Worley. Mike, welcome to the show. Mike Worley 01:11 Thank you. Thanks for having me. Phil Street 01:13 How are you doing? Mike Worley 01:14 Yeah, very well. Thank you. Yeah, the weather is sunny, and it's warm. And it's a beautiful Wednesday. Phil Street 01:20 Fabulous. Which part of the world are you in? Mike Worley 01:22 So I'm live just outside of Bristol perfectly. It used to be for the before COVID was great for their commuter links, down the M four and five and into London. And I got here. I moved here by accident and been stuck here for the last 20 plus years Phil Street 01:39 Really? Mike Worley 01:40 But maybe we'll have a conversation about that in a little bit. Phil Street 01:43 Yeah, absolutely. So just give us a very quick snapshot of what you do and what you cover in your current role. Mike Worley 01:50 Certainly, yeah. So I'm the Operations Director for HIT training limited. We are an independent training provider delivering apprenticeships and commercial and some adult education budget training to the predominant hospitality sector. We also work in the care sector and early year sector. My role is everything learner centric. So I'm overall responsible for about 450 trainers, nationwide, 30 odd managers, and also the quality and the curriculum function within hit. So that involves making sure that the programmes we deliver are robust, and something that adds value to somebody's life, and also keeps us compliant if we are claiming any government funds. So yeah, I'm pretty much home based with offices all over, like all over England, which is where we cover and have probably one of the best jobs in the in the company...
What does it take to become one of a regions most prominent General Managers? We chatted to Mark Kirby, Regional General Manager of The Address Downtown, Dubai (www.addresshotels.com/en/hotels/address-downtown/) to find that out. We got through so much including Dubai (Of course), Chesterfield, School, AICR, London, Harvey Nicholls, reciting your career backwards at interview, Meeting Mr Armani, The Armani Hotel, Translating your CV into Italian, creating the right noises, Sustainability, PR, Exercise and a whole lot more. Mark talks with such energy and passion about what he does that it's hard not to get captivated by it. Mark also has some hilarious stories which he's shared with us. Thanks so much Mark. Enjoy. Show Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS hotel, people, Dubai, hospitality, business, stories, London, Chesterfield, GM, The Lanesborough, The Goring, running, terms, part, Grosvenor House, Armani, manager, year, career, SPEAKERS Mark Kirby, Phil Street Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Mark Kirby, any general manager for the address downtown in Dubai. Coming up on today's show... Mark identifies a problem with a hotel's location. Mark Kirby 00:22 Very dangerous being next to Harvey Nichols Not for good for the credit card I have to say. Phil Street 00:26 Phil explains what it's like being the opposite of a morning person. I had days where I woke up and just thought..... uuuurggghh And Mark tells us a story about averting disaster. Mark Kirby 00:37 I turned, around to literally leg it back to the front of the hotel to pick the right guest up Phil Street 00:43 All that and so much more as Mark talks us through His story and journey to date, as well as some exceptional content on PR and creating the right noises. In addition, Mark really does talk with incredible energy about his craft a massive thank you to him for that. Don't forget, we launch a brand new episode each week telling the amazing and always amusing stories from hospitality. So make sure you hit that subscribe button and give us a like and share across your networks. Let's share these stories as far as we can. Enjoy. Hello, and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me, Phil St. Today, we once again cross the seas. This time we're off to the Middle East. And I'm delighted to welcome to the show one of Dubai's most prominent general managers who may or may not thank me for saying that, but having worked in a few of the region's most prestigious hotels, including Le Royal Meridian Beach Resort and Spa, the Armani Hotel in Dubai and now Area GM of the address hotels downtown part of the Emaar Hospitality Group. I'm delighted to welcome to the show, Mark Kirby. Mark Kirby 01:46 Thank you very much really, really, really nice to hear from you. Phil Street 01:50 Brilliant. How are you doing? Mark Kirby 01:51 Yeah, we're not not too bad. Actually, as you know, we everyone's been having an interesting time through this COVID. And getting used to the new norms, we're starting to see a lot more positivity in the market, which is really great. The buyer opened up, opened its international borders on the seventh. So we're just getting used to welcoming international travellers back into the city. And, you know, last weekend, we had 60% occupancy in one of our hotels. And that was quite exciting. Because, you know, we haven't seen 60% occupancy since with pre a pre COVID, you know, normally 60% occupancy, I think you would be be twiddling your thumbs thinking, well, we're not we should do a bit more. But we're sort of celebrating that that sort of occupancy. Phil Street 02:33 Yeah. Well, I mean, that's why that's the new normal, right. Mark Kirby 02:39 We get excited about small victories, we should do you know,...
When we started the podcast, we wanted to tell the stories and journeys of the people of hospitality but we also wanted to shout from the rooftops about anything incredible that people are doing. Mary Jane Flanagan (MJ), founder of MJ Inspire (www.mjinspire.com) fits into both categories effortlessly as not only does she have a really interesting journey, she's doing an incredible body of work to support job seekers at a time when they need it the most. Bravo MJ!!! There's a lot crammed into our chat and that includes, positive greetings, country house hotels, left field opportunities, business evolution, the importance of travel, attitude over skill, Pre-battle pep talks, Winning or learning, Adding value, Job Seekers toolkit, careers advice, psychology, being a morning person, When it’s OK to kiss the health inspector and a massive dose of Fun. It's a cracker, as always there's some brilliant anecdotes as well. Enjoy! Show Transcription MJ Wed, 9/30 10:51AM • 1:07:15 SUMMARY KEYWORDS hospitality, people, MJ, restaurants, cv, running, industry, buy, skills, job, inspire, feeling, brilliant, business, psychology, interview, thought, stories, person SPEAKERS Phil Street, MJ Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is the inspirational managing Flanagan, creative director and founder of MJ inspire limited. Coming up on today's show. MJ talks us through some tough, tough learning. MJ 00:22 What do you mean? You don't know? I could be running a Brothel Phil Street 00:25 Phil reveals one of his more repeatable nicknames. I got the Mickey taken out of me me relentlessly for it because they used to just call me Mr. Disney. And MJ tells us the lengths you'll go to to get a good environmental report. MJ 00:38 And the chefs are looking at my dad, and they're looking at me. And they said, Why did you just kiss the health inspector, Phil Street 00:43 all that and so much more as MJ talks us through her story and journey to date, as well as the incredible and inspiring work she's doing through lockdown to help job seekers at this tough time. In addition, look out for the many wonderful nuggets of wisdom from MJ, And dare I say it from myself. Not to be missed? Don't forget, we launched a brand new episode each week telling the amazing and always amusing stories from hospitality. So make sure you hit that subscribe button and give us a like and share across your networks. Let's share these stories as far as we can. Enjoy. Hello, and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me Phil Street. One of the objectives of the show when I started this was not only to tell the amazing stories and journeys of the wonderful people that exist within hospitality, but also to shout loudly about anyone incredible that that comes along any new ideas, innovations, and that sort of thing. Today, my guest easily fits into both categories and so I'm delighted to welcome to the show, the founder and creative director behind MJ inspire Mary Jane Mary Jane Flanagan should get that right. Welcome to the show. MJ 01:48 Hi, hi, Phil. Let's make it easy. Call me MJ. Phil Street 01:52 I thought everybody calls you MJ don't they? MJ 01:55 They do. Phil Street 01:56 Thank you know that is much, much easier, especially at 9.21 in the morning when the coffee has not quite kicked in yet. MJ 02:03 Or midnight when the club you're running is slammed. Phil Street 02:06 Yeah, MJ 02:06 Then I'm just MJ. Phil Street 02:08 Yeah. I bet. Yeah. So how are you anyway? How's things? MJ 02:12 Do you know? Well, I'm marvellous as I always say to people, I'm very lucky. lockdown is tough. But I've had a huge learning curve. I've got a back garden. I have a running tap of frozen watermelon...
Humans are such a massive part of the Hospitality Industry and looking after all those humans is no mean feat. Today we talk to a real heavy hitter in that space, Jose Ruiz, Director of Human Resources for The London Edition & W Leicester Square. Jose is an effortless story teller with some awesome comedy moments from an illustrious career so far, he also doesn't take himself too seriously which you'll learn within 2 minutes of this chat. We talk accents, HR in luxury, Opening a hotel in a skyscraper, tables with a view, networking, brand difference, luxury, coaching, leadership v management, generational evolution, do not disturb, fights between guests, luggage and of course Jose's exceptional journey. A huge thank you to Jose for sharing such superb insight. Enjoy! Conversation Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS people, hospitality, hotel, luggage, brands, guest, marques de, hotels, industry, london, stories, opened, apple, jose, moment, coaching, thought, restaurant, life, marriott SPEAKERS Jose Ruiz, Phil Street Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Jose he was director of HR for the London edition and the W Leicester Square. Coming up on today's show, Jose and Phil deal in some mild peril Oh, danger danger... Jose Ruiz 00:23 Indeed, danger danger... Phil Street 00:25 Phil recalls a shocking event from early in his career. I opened the door to one of them kicking the other one up the backside. And Jose argues with himself over an inanimate object Jose Ruiz 00:37 Well, I left my house... with the luggage? Yeah, of course with the luggage. What do you think I'm stupid, Phil Street 00:42 All that and so much more as Jose talks us through His story and journey to date, as well as some amazing content on coaching and leadership. In addition, Jose was a natural storyteller and shares some fantastic comedy moments from his career so far, a massive thank you to him for that. Don't forget, we launch a brand new episode each week telling the amazing and always amusing stories from hospitality. So make sure you hit that subscribe button and give us a like and share it across your networks. Let's share these stories as far as we can. Enjoy. Hello, and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meats with me Phil Street. Today we move into the world of humans, specifically HR and I'm joined by someone who's worked in some of London's most iconic hotels, as well as a brief foray out of the industry in another marquee brand which has now culminated in him taking on a multi property role as director of HR at the London edition and the W in Leicester Square. So welcome to the show Jose Ruiz Jose Ruiz 01:41 hi Phil How you doing? Phil Street 01:43 I'm very well how are you doing? I am very well too, very well. Just wondering whether anyone is going to understand us today. You with your Scottish accent? Me with my Spanish one. (Laughs) That's a good point. Yeah, well, let's see what happens. Yeah, absolutely. Great. Well, let's just kick it straight off. Could you take us all the way back to the beginning of your career and how did you get into this industry? Jose Ruiz 02:09 Yep, well this This goes back a fair while so I would wake up in the morning jump on my horse and you know just just ride to the nearest No just kidding. I I just knew that I wanted to work in hospitality pretty much all my career, I studied back home in Spain Hotel Management. And then at some point I had to do my military service which at the time it was compulsory but I had seven months in between University and and the world of military service. Okay, so I just decided to come to the UK. I have a family member living here so we'll see see, I thought you know what, I'm going to London for seven months. get myself a job as a waiter learn...
You really can come into hospitality at any time, with any background. Today's guest demonstrates that point beautifully but not only that, how you can come in and really get people thinking about the ways in which things happen. We chat today to Eric Jafari, Chief Development Officer and Creative Director at Edyn Group (www.findingedyn.com) and Co-Founder at Locke Hotels (www.lockeliving.com). This chat is rammed full of interesting conversation with some golden content on re-imagining hospitality experiences. We talk about being grateful for the time you live in, founding business, pursuing moments of joy, rethinking hospitality, finding true points of difference, Locke, learning from failure, Flexible living, hot tubs, outdoor dining, routine, sleep, psychology of experience and so much more. A massive thank you to Eric for being so open. Enjoy! Conversation Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS people, hotels, hospitality, Locke, experience, stay, london, spend, spaces, rooms, lock, week, Eric, unique, brand, moment, design, restaurant, days, Saco SPEAKERS Phil, Eric Phil 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Eric Jafari, chief Development Officer at Edyn group, the company behind the amazing Locke hotels. Coming up on today's show. Eric intrigues us all with this statement... Eric 00:22 You know, I was brought up with what I've called kind of extreme hospitality. Phil 00:26 Phil proves that learning can come from anywhere. How I remember learning about that was from an episode of "The Simpsons", and Eric reveals the one major strategy you need for success. Eric 00:37 The reason for why I ended up where I am today was more to you know, kind of scratching my own itch. Phil 00:44 All that and so much more as Eric talks us through His story to date, as well as some superb content on rethinking hospitality. Don't forget to give us a like and share across your favourite social channels. Enjoy. Hello and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me your host Phil Street. Today We chat to someone who's definitely not had your your typical route into hospitality but has founded some superb and very recognisable brands, including Urban Villa, Union Hannover and now finds himself as part of the founding team at Locke hotels and Edyn group, as well as being the creative driving force behind those brands. He was also MD of is it SACO property group. Was it SACO? Eric 01:27 That was SACO, Yeah. Phil 01:29 Yep. SACO Property Group. Welcome to the show, Eric Jafari Eric 01:35 Thank you for Thanks for having me. It's a pleasure. Phil 01:38 You're very, very welcome. How are you doing? Eric 01:40 I'm good. I'm good. I mean, listen, if someone had asked me about six months ago, hey, by the way, Eric, you're not going to be able to travel for four months, you're not going to be able to go to your favourite restaurants, or your favourite bars. You're gonna have to spend most of your time working indoors. That's probably the closest thing to how that is. could have possibly imagined and yes, for one reason or another, I've actually, you know, there's a lot of downside to all this. But I've enjoyed it so much more than I wouldn't have anticipated in ways that I just couldn't fathom. Phil 02:12 I completely agree. It's, there's good days and bad days probably i think that's that's the way to sum up for me is that sometimes I'm grateful to have the time and a bit more headspace perhaps, than the normal. And then there's other days where I just put my head in the headlines for a second and I am petrified about what happens next. But it's Yeah, funny all times. Eric 02:36 It's an incredible experience that we're going through. I mean,...
Hospitality never stands still, there's always something new on the horizon. This week, we've got an amazing chat with the Opening General Manager Anne Golden who has the not insignificant task of leading one of the most exciting projects on the horizon in Europe, the Pan Pacific London (https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-london.html (https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-london.html)) In addition to Anne's amazing journey, we chat about Lockdown fatigue, learning from mistakes, emotional intelligence, training & development, check in and check out, overbooking, The Pan Pacific London (Naturally), making your own Olympics, gnomes, Jurgen Klopp and so much more. Anne speaks with such humour and humility, it's not to be missed. Enjoy Recorded on 29th July 2020 Show transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS hotel, people, pan pacific, hospitality, london, singapore, world, realise, moment, lots, industry, floor, sales, guests, experience, incredible, team SPEAKERS Anne, Phil Phil 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Anne Golden, General Manager for the spectacular upcoming Pan Pacific London. Coming up on today's show. Anne pitches a new movie franchise idea... Anne 00:21 The rise of the online travel agents and things Phil 00:24 Phil lets out a Freudian slip live on the show... And of course you're getting rid of 1000 passengers, Getting rid, that's a bit harsh And we learn that both and Phil might be Jurgen Klopp fans. Yeah, I think Jurgen Klopp needs to write a book on leadership. Anne 00:37 No, I think he needs to run the country Phil. Phil 00:40 All that and so much more as Anne walks us through her story and journey to date. As well as giving us some wonderful insight into the magic we can expect at the upcoming Pan Pacific London. Don't forget to give us a like and a share across your favourite social channels. Enjoy. Hello and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meets with me Phil Street. Today, we're Back in London, and well, we welcome someone who has been tasked with leading one of the city's highest profile openings for 2021. delighted to welcome to the show, the general manager of the Pan Pacific London, Anne Golden. Anne welcome to the show. Anne 01:15 Thanks, Phil. Good morning, really, really happy and honoured to be here. So looking forward to the chat, Phil 01:22 Oh you're very, very welcome. How are you doing? 01:24 Doing really well, actually. Yes, we've had a good week had some wins this week. So it's exciting. 01:30 Great. I think we'll, we'll take wins in any form at the moment Anne 01:35 (Laughs) at the moment, Yes. Phil 01:38 Yeah, I had a really great Friday, last week where I ended the week on a on a major high and then on Monday, I had to have a conversation with HMRC which was a real law. And I think that's just the way the world at the moment. Some highs, some lows. Anne 01:54 Absolutely, absolutely. Definitely. I agree. As long as we're fit and healthy then I think everything else just is a bonus, isn't it? Phil 02:01 Absolutely. So where in the world are you at the moment? Anne 02:05 I'm at home in Finchley. And as you can probably tell from my accent I'm originally from the northeast of England, Middlesbrough. Yeah. So, yep. And for my sins follow the football team. Phil 02:20 How have they done this year? Anne 02:22 Not that great Phil 02:23 Okay, we can move on. Anne 02:25 We can move on. We can move on. But my second team did considerably better because they're Liverpool. Phil 02:31 And that's my team, as well as you can probably tell from my accent. Anne 02:35 There we go. 45 minutes of football coming up now. So yeah, so back at home, we decided about 10 days before...
One of the things we love about Hospitality more than anything else is the international element to it and there's no better career if you want to see the world. Niels Sherry is a shining example of that with a career that has taken him to the USA, Middle East and Asia as well as establishing himself in Europe. Now the COO for the expanding private members club 67 Pall Mall (http://www.67pallmall.com (www.67pallmall.com)). We chat about lots including gaining variety in your career, the Savoy, leaps of faith, opening a press hungry hotel, recruiting for character over qualifications, making time for people, utilising your neighbours internet, online wine tastings, being denied entry in Saudi Arabia and so much more. Niels has forged himself and incredible career and it's an excellent story told with eloquence and energy. Enjoy! Recorded on 7th July 2020. Show Transcription SUMMARY KEYWORDS hotel, people, business, wine, hospitality, called, savoy, London, Singapore, club, world, run, started, bit, learning, stories, asked, open SPEAKERS Niels Sherry, Phil Street Phil Street 00:01 Welcome to hospitality meets with me Phil street where we take a light hearted look into the stories and individuals that make up the wonderful world of hospitality. Today's guest is Neils Sherry, CEO of 67 Pall Mall a stunning private member's club for wine lovers in London. Coming up on today's show... Niels tells us the extremes he'll go to when learning. Niels Sherry 00:22 I spent probably two months, maybe a bit more literally glued to Ian. Phil Street 00:27 Phil gets confused and thinks he's on the telly... So just for I suppose for the record for the viewers And Niels calmly understates the severity of his predicament, Niels Sherry 00:37 They took my passport, and they threw it on the floor. I thought um, this is not going well. Phil Street 00:42 All that and so much more. As Niels talks us through His story and journey to date, as well as some fantastic snippets of advice from an excellent career. Don't forget to give us a like and a share across your favourite social channels. Enjoy. Hello, and welcome to the next edition of hospitality meats with me Phil Street. Today, I'm delighted to welcome to the show someone who I've known on and off for, I'd say about 10 years now. And I've got a story actually about how we met, which you may or may not remember, but we'll come on to that in a second. delighted to welcome the CEO of 67 Pall Mall, Niels Sherry. Niels Sherry 01:15 Thanks very much, delighted to be on the call. And hopefully, we've got some interesting stories to share. Phil Street 01:22 I'll bet you have I mean, you cover off one of my favourite topics, which is wine, so I'm sure what we'll talk about that at some point. So just for I suppose for the record for the the viewers, where in the world are you right now and kind of what have you got your head into. Niels Sherry 01:38 So having spent about six years with sixty seven Pall Mall setting up the club in London, with Grant, the founder, we, about two and a half years ago, we did a strategy meeting with our board of directors and one of the things that came out of that was that we need to take 67 Pall Mall around the world. So we conducted an exercise of places that we could possibly open. And the country state that came to the top of the list was Singapore. So that's where I'm residing. So I'm sitting in my office overlooking, actually not my office, I'm at home, overlooking Marina Bay Sands. So it's great to be in Singapore. It's amazing. Nice, amazing city. Phil Street 02:22 Yeah, no doubt, I'm guessing as well, you you both opening a club at the time of year that you were going to do as been presented with some on well, unknown challenges that at the beginning of the year, I suppose that's part of your strategy, you wouldn't have written in that you would be facing a pandemic in the first quarter and...
Back in May 2020, we got some time with Gilles Perrin, Executive Chef at the world class Ritz Carlton Osaka, Japan. In today's chat we talk about moving to takeaway in a Michelin starred restaurant, travel, the importance of early career mentors, Asian food, ordering volume at Atlantis, Japan, Seasonality, writing a book in 8 weeks, Kitchen leadership and so much more. Born in Switzerland, Gilles Perrin studied French cuisine at culinary school and started his career as a chef in 1994. He has worked in some of the world's most famous places including Atlantis the Palm in Dubai and under the 3 Michelin starred Alain Ducasse in Paris and London. Gilles is an effortless story teller, It's an absolute stormer! Enjoy. Recorded on 22nd May 2020
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Hospitality covers a multitude of things. The rise and rise of co-working fits firmly within that scope. We were lucky enough to get some time with Ben Swindells, Expansion Director for Huckletree (www.huckletree.com) a London based workspace accelerator with locations in London, Manchester and Dublin. Ben is an ex hotelier and now workspace specialist and is responsible for the growth and new projects for Huckletree. In 2019 Ben led the group to double growth in terms of footprint and members launching 4 new sites in 12 months. Even though I mispronounced his name within the first 10 seconds, Ben recovered to tell his story beautifully. We cover off gems such as Being thrust in at the deep end, events, F&B Projects, The 2012 Olympics, the check in process, Co-Working (Of course), The Shoreditch Buzz, fast growth business, finding your calling, career leaps of faith and much more. Enjoy Recorded on 26th June 2020
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Most people enjoy talking about drink and today, that's exactly what we do. We chatted to Becky Lown, Director and Founder at CRAL Consulting, a boutique consulting company specialising in wine and spirits We chat about making career choices too young, starting a business before a pandemic, Up-skilling, wine, whisky, drink, vineyards, stories, Low & No If you need to know anything about viniculture or viticulture (and there is a difference!) then Becky is the woman to ask (especially in a pub quiz!). With 18 years experience in the hospitality industry from cocktail shaker to wine merchant, now a Wine and Spirits consultant specialising in helping out the on-trade create the best wine lists and drinks offerings. Enjoy! Recorded on 2nd July 2020
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Q. What happens when you put two spaghetti brains in front a microphone and set them off to chat? A. Today's podcast. We got some time with Majella O'Connell, Managing Director and Head Photographer at Pavlova & Cream Ltd. (www.pavlovaandcream.com) and Founder of Manchester Kitchen Social and London Kitchen Social. Majella talks about her craft with such verve and passion it's difficult to not get sucked in to what she does, even if you have a slight interest in food and fun is never very far away at all. We talk about Emoji’s, food, plates, digressing (a lot), travel, the yardarm, photography, beagles, Facebook memories, Michelin starred eating, Chef’s Table, snakes in trees, Pantomime, cooking under the influence and so much more. To be honest, it may have been easier to tell you what we didn't cover. It's epic! Truly! This was recorded on 26th May 2020 under lock down
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In may 2020, we were lucky enough to steal some time with Louise Gallant, Talent Director at Harri.com, rising tech superstars and all round great people. Louise is a natural story teller with some amazing and hilarious stories throughout. This week we cover travelling in America, being born in a pub, winging it in business class, taking geography lessons from Pete Sampras’ coach, life on ships, being held at gunpoint (Yes you read that correctly), Pizza, meditation, dealing with depression, educating the teachers, Lemon Curd and so much more. It's an absolute cracker! Recorded on 13th May 2020 under lock down
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One of the objectives of our humble little podcast was to give a voice to as wide a variety of people as possible from within hospitality so I was delighted to get some time with Rachael Stevens, Guest Services Manager at South Lodge Hotel (https://www.exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge). Rachael is clearly on her way up to do great things. We talk about serving celebrities, mentors, leadership, poise under pressure, guest services post lockdown, Raymond Blanc and so much more. Enjoy! This chat was recorded on May 4th 2020 under lock down.
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Back in May 2020, we got some time with Eugenio Pirri, Chief People & Culture Office for Dorchester Collection (www.dorchestercollection.com) a global luxury hotel company. Eugenio tells his story with great humility and grace, sprinkled with a large portion of humour. In this weeks chat we cover Scotch, learning and growing, culture (Unsurprisingly), writing, warnings, falling in swimming pools and so much more as well as some wonderful stuff about business culture and guest experience. Enjoy! This chat was recorded on May 21st 2020 under Lock Down conditions
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In early July 2020 (when we were once again allowed to go meet people) we were lucky enough to get some socially distanced time with Chris Penn, Co-Founder of Steel Hotels (www.steelhotels.com) & Birch (www.birchcommunity.com), a few weeks before the doors were opened at Birch for the first time. This chat is crammed full of good stuff as we took full advantage of Chris' natural humour, drive and humility covering off his epic journey to this point as well as topics such as battles, travelling, finding your feet, wobbles, leadership, travel, the 3 year itch, challenging impossible, mindset in extreme situations, voices in your head, having no regrets, logic and of course Birch which we believe is going to be something really rather special. It's one of our most in depth chats to date and not to be missed. Enjoy!
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In July 2020 we were lucky enough to get some time with Cherish Finden, TV Judge, award winning pastry chef and now Executive Pastry Chef at the Upcoming Pan Pacific London, opening in 2021. Long before TV found Cherish, she was already building an amazing career, working in some of the world's most amazing hotels. Demonstrating humility and drive, our chat is a fantastic insight into how to build a career that takes you to the top. We discuss being thrifty, life in Singapore, The Raffles hotel, discipline, proving the doubters wrong, the creative process, Sourdough bread, patisserie and so much more. It's a cracker. Enjoy! e0cd5TqxpGX04aWFkVem
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In this weeks Podcast, we enter the world of finance and specifically Asset Management, a side of hotel life that has become more and more important in recent times. We chatted to William Gibbs, Hotels Director and a Member of the Board at Sir Richard Sutton Limited (www.SRSL.co.uk) We chat about Williams career journey so far along with other big topics such as changing processes, learning the hard way, glass collecting, going to the wrong airports, being out of your depth, asset management and Soho. William is a natural story teller with some cracking anecdotes from his career. Enjoy
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When we started the podcast, one of the objectives was to showcase the variety of opportunity available within Hospitality as a career of choice. Today's chat does exactly that. We chatted to Fabien Figarol, Co-Founder and Director of Momentum Hospitality Recruitment (www.momentumrecruitment.com), a boutique hospitality recruitment firm based in London specialising in management level and upwards recruitment worldwide. We talk through Fabien's career journey also covering topics such as maintenance, France winning the world cup in 1998, spilling champagne over the General Manager, leadership, changing jobs, learning, Heavy Metal, Sport and so much more. Enjoy
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Back in May 2020, in the middle of Lock down, we were lucky enough to get some time with David McDowall, Group COO of BrewDog (www.brewdog.com). David talks us through his career and journey so far along with some of the great work that BrewDog have been up to. We also find time to chat about Beer & Dogs (Obviously), Scottish Accents, Lobbying, Leadership Away days, swimming with Orca whales and being anti-disciplinary. David's Bio David is Group COO at BrewDog, driving the strategic direction of the business as it continues its rapid growth pattern. BrewDog has grown from 2 men and a dog, 12 years ago, with a simple mission to make other people as passionate about craft beer as we are, to an international brand exporting to over 60 markets, with a billion pound plus valuation, and an army of over 120,000 “Equity Punk” investors around the globe Enjoy! Recorded on May 8th Under Lock down
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Mark your calendar, 31st August 2020 will see the rise of the inaugural Hospitality Aid, a live aid style concert rammed full of talent from the Hospitality Industry raising money for Action against hunger (And any artists that play) and bringing some much needed joy back to the industry. In our most ambitious and insane show yet, we chatted to ALL of the people behind it and some very special guests, led by Kieron Bailey and Chris Fletcher of Exp101 (www.experience101.co.uk), they joined Chad Smith and Junior Alabi of Hire (www.thisishire.co.uk), Louise Kissack of Spaghetti Group (www.spaghettigroup.com) and me Phil Street of this podcast and Momentum Hospitality Recruitment (www.momentumrecruitment.com) for an hour of pure fun, chit chat and lunacy. To get behind the event go to www.experience101.co.uk and follow the links to HA2020. Let's make this the most epic and positive story to come out of 2020. Enjoy!
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There's nothing quite like having a chat with colourful characters. Kieron "AKA the Boy" Bailey is one such character. Co-founder of Experience 101 (www.experience101.co.uk) he's got bags of personality and is something of a Hospitality Champion. Kieron's story is told against a back drop of variety and we cover off so much including, living on an island, compilation cassettes, Leadership, Recruitment, Panorama, dealing with drunks, personal growth, monkeys and so much more. Enjoy Recorded on 5th May 2020 under Lock down.
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Some people were made to entertain, Jim Knight is one such human mixing entertainment with education for what he calls Edutainment. Jim is the brains and name behind www.knightspeaker.com, a top 10 rated speaker in the USA, author of "Culture that Rocks" and Podcast host on the Awesome "Thoughts that Rock". Throughout our chat Jim showcases an effortless mix of humour, seriousness, energy and passion. Jim's go to subject is Business Culture and if there's anyone else alive that can speak about it with such vigour, we've not seen them. We chat about so much but look out for stuff on Culture, vocal performance, going off on tangents, LL Cool J and saving the planet. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording Recorded on 5th May 2020 under Lock Down
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The week of 22nd June 2020 will go down in history (In the UK at least) as the week where the government announced that hospitality could reopen on 4th July. This put us all in a good mood and so we decided to give you another bonus episode. Cue Elsa De Jager, founder of HospoBox (@hospobox on Instagram) We have a great chat about Vegan Mayonnaise, Winging it, the influence of Danny Meyer, Adversity and Positivity. We also talk through her story and her wonderful idea HospoBox. Tune in to find out more. Enjoy
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What does it take to get your Brand and experience right? Find out along with so much more in our chat with Simon Taylor, Brand Guru and Founder of Swipe Right Experience (https://swiperightexperience.com/ (https://swiperightexperience.com/)) and The Hospitality Portal (http://thehospitalityportal.com/ (http://thehospitalityportal.com/)). We chat about so much including ship life, events, branding (Of course), experiences, chicken & chips and Matteus Rose and Simon's Story. Simon is a laugh a minute but backs this up with some great content on marrying your brand with your experience. Enjoy! This chat was recorded on 2nd April 2020 under lock down conditions. Simon Taylor Bio Simon, a married father of two living in the UK, is an astute brand and hospitality professional with international background. Swipe Right Experience was really founded over a decade ago when experiential marketing started and there was (and still is) a lack of understanding of how to unlock the power around this exploding medium of communication. Demonstrating 20 years of managing brands and award winning experiences with some of the worlds most recognised companies Swipe Right Experience works with passionate hospitality brands who are connecting with consumers for life.
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15 episodes in and we finally get to talk to someone about their story from within the world of Talent Acquisition. And we didn't do it half heartedly, we went to one of the World's most iconic hotels and had a chat with Louise Phelps, Head of Talent Acquisition at the Savoy in London. We chat about Talent attraction (Obviously), toilet humour, Impostor Syndrome, New habits, Mentoring and many other things. Louise was a natural conversationalist and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. We hope you do too. This chat was recorded on 7th May 2020 under lock down conditions.
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When we launched the podcast, there were some people we hoped to get on the show. Chef Alex Dilling of the 2 Michelin Star The Greenhouse in London was one of those people. In addition to Alex's story and Journey, we talk about the creative process, Per Se in New York (Twice), the noises we make when we taste sublime food, training Phil's dog to truffle hunt and so much more. Alex really is a class act and there's lots of incredibly useful snippets in here. Enjoy! This was recorded on 30th April 2020 under lock down conditions
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We were lucky enough to get some time with TV Chef, Restaurateur and Author Cyrus Todiwala OBE in April this year. Cyrus runs the Famous Cafe Spice Namaste (http://www.cafespice.co.uk (www.cafespice.co.uk)) in London and has featured on many a TV show so far. As well as walking us through his journey, we talk about The 80's, Appraisals, Cooking for Dignitaries, Goats and the Origins of the Hot Todi amongst many, many other things. Cyrus is a walking storyboard and we could have chatted to him for hours. Enjoy! This was recorded on April 29th 2020 under lock down conditions
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This week we air a bonus episode as we chatted to Emma Perfect, Global Diversity & Inclusion Manager for Soho House Group (https://www.sohohouse.com/ (https://www.sohohouse.com/)) which operates members’ clubs for creative people as well as restaurants, spas and co-working spaces. It’s Emma’s role to ensure that members and teams feel a sense of belonging at Soho Houses in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. The company is leading the hospitality industry in this field, and in 2019 her department won a prestigious Caterer Award for diversity and inclusion. Prior to working for Soho House, Emma was a journalist for many years, working in national newspapers and magazines. She has written about equality and diversity extensively for The Times, the Telegraph and the Independent. This Episode was recorded on Tuesday 2nd June 2020
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Back in February 2020, we were lucky enough to meet Hospitality Royalty, David Cowdery, CEO of the Cavalry & Guards Club (https://www.cavgdsclub.co.uk/) in Mayfair, London. We chat through his story and career journey. Amongst other things we talk about Snobbery, Tech, Recruitment, Looking after Celebs, Selfies and loads more. David has some hilarious stories, be sure to tune in. This was recorded on 18th February 2020 at the majestic Cavalry & Guards Club
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In one of our first lock down recordings (Apologies for the audio drops in places) we chatted to the effervescent Hayley Connor, Head of People & Learning at Brewhouse & Kitchen (https://www.brewhouseandkitchen.com/) & Co-Founder of Beers & Peers (@beersandpeers) In this episode, we talk about Housekeeping, Acting, Pantomime (But not the one you think), Seeking leaders in fancy dress and getting back to the pub. In addition, Hayley walks us through her story to date. Hayley is turning herself into a real force of good for the industry and is creating a body of work that we believe we should all get behind. Thanks Hayley! This was recorded on 13th April 2020 under lock down conditions.
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Pre-lockdown, we chatted to Adam Rowledge, prolific public speaker and Managing Director of Rowledge Associates (https://rowledgeassociates.co.uk) In this episode, we talk about Adams journey as well as covering such important topics such as eggs, credit control, Nokia phones, socks and the things you see whilst being a Night Manager. Adam was a class act and is a shining light in the world of leadership discussion. This Podcast was recorded in person on 27th February 2020, before lock down conditions were enforced.
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Under lockdown conditions, we chatted to Anne Pierce, CEO of Springboard (https://springboard.uk.net/) a charity operating in Hospitality focusing on helping people from vulnerable backgrounds into sustainable employment. In this episode, we talk about Anne's journey as well as covering topics such as cross dressing, Anne's propensity for getting rejected for jobs, retro tech and making hedgehogs out of Mango's. Anne's journey really is another wonderful indication of the diversity of options available in Hospitality. Shortly after recording, Anne announced her retirement. We'd just like to join the industry in thanking her for her amazing service and the energy she brought to the role. We wish her all the very best in her next chapter.
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. Under lockdown conditions, we chatted to Katherine Price, Senior Reporter from one of Hospitality's leading trade publications, The Caterer (www.thecaterer.com) In this episode, we talk wobbly's, research, 6 course tasting menu's, books, when not to eat fine dining food and so much more. Kat was an amazing guest and just another demonstration of the diversity available in hospitality as a career of choice.
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. Back in February 2020, I had the privilege of meeting hotel Titan, Robin Sheppard, Chairman of Bespoke Hotels (www.bespokehotels.com/) and Chairman of the Institute of Hospitality (www.instituteofhospitality.org/). Robin takes us through some wonderful stories from an illustrious career in Hospitality including, a service very early on in his career that sank, the time he took on the world's foremost Intellectual Property Lawyers and why you should always have a copy of the Beano in the Gents toilet. The chat was recorded in a vibrant and busy venue during a busy breakfast service so please forgive the audio in places. This chat was recorded on February 25th 2020, before Covid-19 Lock down procedures were put in place.
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. In this weeks episode, Phil catches up with Chef, Restaurateur & Author Scott Hallsworth. Scott is the owner of Freakscene in London (https://freakscene.london/ (https://freakscene.london/)). Scott was the first guest to agree to conducting a virtual chat (So please excuse any mild drop outs in audio) as we chatted in early April 2020. Scott talks us through his journey and covers off some gems including:- - Ignoring the advice of parents - Forgetting key items for high profile celebrity events - A story involving Rancid Walnuts And a whole host of other stories. Make sure you get to Freakscene when the Lockdown is lifted To get in touch with Scott, feel free to reach out to him through any of his social channels
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. This week we chat to Robert Richardson the General Manager of the Historic Grand Hotel in Folkestone. Robert has one hell of a list of achievements and is definitely doing what he was born to do. The podcast was recorded on 26th February 2020, before lock down measures were put in place.
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. Back in the early 2020's before Covid-19 gripped the world, we met Kate Nicholls who very kindly gave us the time to share her story and the sorts of things she gets involved with. Obviously, the landscape is a little different since we recorded this on 27th February 2020, but the message is still the same. Kate, and UK Hospitality, continue to fight the corner of the greatest industry on earth.
https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/ (https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/)
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. Today we chat to Mr Personality, Liam Wood. Head of new openings for the New World Trading Company (https://nwtc.uk.com/ (https://nwtc.uk.com/)) Liam talks us through how he ended up leading new openings for the company and a lot more besides. To reach out to Liam to chat through his work at the New World Trading Company then feel free to reach out to him at liamwood@nwtc.uk.com This chat was recorded on February 20th 2020, before Covid-19 Lock down procedures were put in place.
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. In this episode, Phil meets Chris Fletcher, MD of Askfletch.com, Co-founder of EXP101 (https://www.experience101.live/ (https://www.experience101.live/)) as well as remaining on the board of Pieminister (https://pieminister.co.uk/ (https://pieminister.co.uk/)). Join us as we talk through Chris' journey to date as well as some of the work he's doing now. There's some cracking stories in here told with passion and humour. If you are interested in any of the work that Chris is doing (And there is a lot), you can reach out to him at chris@askfletch.com This chat was recorded on February 20th 2020, before Covid-19 Lock Down procedures were put in place.
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Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street is a new podcast for the hospitality industry. Join Phil each week as he hosts a new guest in a light-hearted talk about their journey and story to date. The show will feature a wide variety of people including people like Robin Sheppard, Chairman at Bespoke Hotels, Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality & Chris Fletcher, Operations Director at Pieminister and MD of Askfletch.com and a whole lot more. All of this to showcase the greatest industry on earth. Don't forget to hit Subscribe
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