Episodes

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). 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, f...

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) and 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 cus...

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). 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...

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, ...

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 redun...

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), 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 committe...

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, th...

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). 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 atti...

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 includ...

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, sp...

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...

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/), 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 loa...

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), 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 ...

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 streng...

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 Ai...

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, S...

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,...

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/) 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. ...

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) and the new Chair of the Institute of Hospitality (https://www.instituteofhospitality.org), the professional body for the Hospitality industry. As always, we get...

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) and WSH Ltd (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 muc...

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 en...

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 ...

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 doi...

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, educat...