Talking Hospitality podcast

In this special 50th episode of Talking Hospitality , we celebrate a major milestone — and pull back the curtain on the real story of starting (and sustaining) a podcast in our industry. Joined by a line-up of fellow hospitality podcasters, we talk candidly about the lessons we’ve learnt, the mistakes we made, the kit we’ve loved and hated, and the very human reasons that keep us hitting "record"...

In this powerful and personal episode, we speak with Matt Cameron , founder of TMC People Agency and co-founder of WellJam , who shares the story behind his mission to transform toxic hospitality workplaces into thriving ones. Matt opens up about his early years in hospitality, the pressure-cooker environments that almost cost him everything — and the moment that changed his life. Now, he's on a m...

In this vibrant episode of Talking Hospitality , recorded live at Zest Quest Asia 2024, hosts Timothy R. Andrews and Tracey Rashid meet Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala, the passionate founders behind Zest Quest Asia. This exciting conversation uncovers the story behind their mission to elevate Asian cuisine within the UK hospitality industry. Cyrus and Pervin explain their dedication to getting Asian cu...

This week, we’re joined by Bruce and Paramjit Nagra, the brilliant minds behind Crazy Gin — the world’s first British-Asian gin. What started as a late-night idea over a bottle of wine (and a sink full of dishes) turned into a bold, exciting spirits brand that’s now featured in the likes of Harvey Nichols and Tamarind. In this episode, we talk about: Why starting a business is all about small step...

This episode is in an examination of the evolving nature of professional relationships and the significance of mentorship as a means of preserving institutional knowledge. With thanks to brand partners Graphic Kitchen and Leisurejobs for their support in this episode. This episodes guest, Kieron Bailey suggests that the hospitality industry must recognise the intrinsic value of older employees—not...

The biggest challenge in the hospitality industry today is delivering a memorable experience for guests, as discussed by the hosts in this engaging podcast episode and the first of season 5. New host Joe McDonnell highlights that while the industry excels at opening new venues and crafting enticing menus, it often struggles with the execution and follow-through necessary to create truly unforgetta...

Summary In the first ever unedited episode since episode 1, join us for the finale of Season Four. Tracy Rashid and Timothy R. Andrews reflect on the amazing journey they've had recording the season. They express their gratitude to the guests and listeners who have supported them. The hosts discuss the filming of Zest Quest Asia and the evolution of the podcast, from online interviews to future Vo...

Women leadership in the hospitality industry remains a significant issue, with women holding less than 40% of managerial positions despite making up a large portion of the workforce. This podcast dives deep into the challenges faced by women in hospitality leadership roles and explores actionable solutions to empower them. Hosts Timothy R. Andrews and Tracy Rashid are joined by industry leaders Mo...

Episode 43, Season 4 of Talking Hospitality marks a significant transition as we bid a heartfelt farewell to Sarah Kettel, the original host and founder, who has been an integral part of the podcast for 32 episodes across four seasons. Timothy R. Andrews and Tracey Rashid take us on a reflective journey through Sarah's impactful tenure, her beginnings in the hospitality industry, and her motivatio...

Dive into the heart of sustainability with Andrea Zick, a trailblazer in the hospitality industry, as she unveils the intricate dance of creating a sustainable future without sacrificing the essence of luxury dining. This episode is a journey through the lens of a former chef turned sustainability champion, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges and triumphs of embedding sustainability int...

Introduction: In this episode of Talking Hospitality, hosts Timothy R. Andrews and Tracey Rashid engage in a captivating conversation with Nick Clover, a seasoned entrepreneur in the hospitality sector. The episode delves into Nick's journey from starting as a 14-year-old working in a pub to establishing several successful companies in the hospitality industry. Why Listen to This Episode: This epi...

In this episode of Talking Hospitality, we delve into the fascinating world of drag and what lessons the hospitality industry can learn from them. Summary The Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the drag queen community, with performers losing their primary source of income. Many drag queens turned to digital platforms to perform for their fans, but it wasn't always enough to make ends m...

Join Tracey Rashid and Timothy R. Andrews for a festive celebration of Christmas in a special episode featuring a host of Santas from around the world. The holiday spirit shines brightly in this special Christmas episode of Talking Hospitality, where hosts Tracey and Timothy engage in heartwarming and humorous discussions about the meaning of Christmas. The episode opens with a fun fact about the...

In this engaging episode of "Talking Hospitality," hosts Timothy R Andrews and Tracey Rashid welcome the esteemed chef and restaurateur, Cyrus Todiwala OBE. Recorded at the bustling Cafe Spice Namaste, the episode delves into Todiwala's inspiring journey in the hospitality industry. Guest: Cyrus Todiwala OBE Hosts: Timothy R Andrews & Tracey Rashid Key Points: Cyrus Todiwala's Early Culinary I...

MasterChef Special with Daksha Mistry, Pookie Tredell, Mike Bartley and Mikes Khan Hosts: Timothy R. Andrews, Tracey Rashid, and Sarah Kettel Dive into a captivating conversation with MasterChef stars and discover the heart of culinary passion and innovation. Join us in this special episode where we explore the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of these culinary artists. Why Listen to This Episod...

In an enlightening discussion on the empowerment of women in the hospitality sector, this episode of Talking Hospitality features a live recording from Lakefield Hospitality College in North West London, where we engage with Frankie Strinati. The college, founded in 1962 with the explicit aim of promoting female participation in hospitality, stands as a testament to the evolution of gender roles w...

Ever wondered how storytelling can transform the hospitality industry? Join us in this enlightening episode with Phil Street, where we explore the art of narrative in shaping careers and changing perceptions. Dive into the world of hospitality through the lens of stories that inspire, educate, and entertain. Introduction: Welcome to a captivating episode of the Talking Hospitality podcast, where w...

Why Men in Hospitality Don’t Talk About Mental Health — and How We Change That Men’s mental health in hospitality is still a taboo topic. In this honest episode, industry leaders share why that needs to change — and how we make it happen. In this hard-hitting episode of Talking Hospitality , we tackle an issue that’s long been overlooked — men’s mental health in our industry. The statistics are st...

In this special episode, we’re joined by Dawn Burton — speaker, entrepreneur, founder of Carol Burton Caterers , co-founder of the Caribbean Food Collective , and creator of the UK Caribbean Food Awards . Dawn shares her story of moving from a hotel career into catering, the challenges of setting up her own business, and why she’s committed to making sure Caribbean food and entrepreneurs get the r...

In this powerful season finale, we’re joined by Lorraine Copes , Founder and CEO of Be Inclusive Hospitality , for a conversation that every hospitality professional needs to hear. “ This is not the place for performance. This is people’s lives. ” – Lorraine Copes We explore the hard-hitting findings of the 2023 Inside Hospitality report — the only one of its kind focused specifically on race equi...

Raffles is heading to London and is making a stir! Whether you like it shaken or stirred, Timothy R. Andrews and co-host Sarah Kettel look beyond the Singapore Sling with OWO's talented Nathan Craigie, who is heading up their recruitment drive. Whilst being a world-renowned name has no doubt helped the hotel in it's hiring, so has it's many innovative recruitment strategies, some of which Nathan s...

Why is alcohol abuse still the norm in hospitality? Shell Righini joins us to challenge stigma, share her recovery story, and offer hope and solutions. In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest episode, we speak with Shell Righini , host of We Recover Loudly , a podcast changing the conversation around addiction and sobriety in hospitality. Shell shares her powerful story of working her way...

This episode focuses on recruitment, perception and the future of hospitality, through the lens of apprenticeships and long-term career pathways. Timothy R Andrews and Sarah Kettel are joined by Adele Oxberry , Founder and CEO of Umbrella Training , who shares her journey from housekeeping to running a specialist hospitality training business. Adele reflects on growing up in hospitality, starting...

This uplifting episode sees recruitment guru for Everyman Cinemas, Mike Newman join us for this extremely informative podcast. Many people don't think of Cinema as being part of Hospitality but Everyman Cinema turns this on it's head. Mike shares some of the struggles but reveals how he & Everyman have faced those struggles head on & how they continue to build solutions proactively. Mike r...

In this brave and moving episode, we sit down with Che Young (formerly Che Barnes) to talk candidly about gender identity, transitioning, and what inclusion really looks like in the hospitality industry . Che shares her personal story of coming out as a trans woman and the response she received — from the people who stood by her, to those who didn’t. We discuss the discomfort many feel around lang...