After a year that defies summary, reiterating the devastation suffered seems somewhat morose, so instead we have chosen to highlight the moments where true hospitality rose above the pain and remind us why we are all part of a very special industry, the hospitality industry.
The Definition of Hospitality: “The act of being friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors.”
Hospitable moments are set out in a timeline illustrating how throughout the toughest of times, hospitality was always mindful of our own, and of others.
Hospitality Action: March 19, 2020 – Hospitality Action launches support appeal to combat impact from Covid-19.
McDonald’s: March 25, 2020 – Hospitality Hero emerges on Facebook, meet the amazing Kevin Foley.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts: April 1, 2020 – Providing Five-Star help for local communities through Covid-19.
LEON Restaurants: March 31, 2020 – Restaurants transform into hospital caterers as LEON powers FeedNHS.
Sodexo: April 3, 2020 – Sodexo amidst COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates market leadership through actions.
Whitbread: April 5, 2020 – Whitbread facilitate 64,000 meals through food redistribution charity FareShare.
Fooditude: April 8, 2020 – Tech-Media Caterer sets up COVID-19 delivery to feed the vulnerable.
The Belfry Hotel & Resort: April 21, 2020 – Hospitality applauds The Belfry’s world class generosity to The Clink.
The Fishmongers’ Company: April 21, 2020 – The Fishmongers’ Company awards £50K help to Beyond Food.
Stonegate Pub Company: April 29, 2020 – Stonegate’s 4,000 mile empathy trip raises £12,000.
Carriages Café on Platform 1 at Newark Castle Station: June 12, 2020 – Fire brigade helps community café on delivery after foodservice bolsters production.
Food Service Circle: August 17, 2020 – Food Service Circle launched.
Greene King: August 27, 2020 – Greene King employment diversity: creating opportunity with The Prince’s Trust.
CareerScope: September 28, 2020 – CareerScope launched to support industry people through Covid-19.
Bartlett Mitchell: October 1, 2020 – Bartlett Mitchell aligns diversity, inclusion and equality with Black History Month.
Hospitality Industry: October 24, 2020 – Hospitality and Marcus Rashford MBE step in to replace government school meal provision.
The Bevy community pub in Moulsecoomb: November 5, 2020 – Duchess of Cornwall’s virtual Meals on Wheels Week 2020 pub visit.
Minister for Hospitality: February 9, 2021 – Minister for Hospitality delivers ministerial meeting.
54 Chefs: February 11, 2021 – Cook at home alongside 54 of the UK’s best Chefs for Hospitality Action.
Hoteliers’ Charter: February 16, 2021 – Call on hoteliers to stand together and commit to new charter.
The Clink Charity: February 18, 2021 – The Clink Charity announces expansion of training scheme to an additional 70 prison kitchens.
The Savoy Educational Trust: March 17, 2021 – The Savoy Educational Trust awards £1 million grant to The Springboard Charity.
It was a pleasure reviewing the past year where there were so many examples of hospitality people being mindful of others amidst their own difficulties.