Your definition of hospitality?
For me it is taking pleasure in providing a service or entertaining guests, visitors, clients or customers – it’s very much a vocation rather than a job.
What does sustainability mean to you?
I like the Brundtland definition: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. That was first defined back in 1987 but still hits the nail on the head today, but with more of a global understanding than perhaps previously.
Team or staff, and why?
Team, because we’re all in it together, working to the same goals, we just perform different roles.
Where do you see hospitality’s priorities?
I think emerging from the pandemic has brought a lot of things into sharper focus and everything has been challenged – in a Simon Sinek way, “start with Why?”. Why are people going out? Why are they going to work? Why should they use us? We’re not just providing food and drink anymore, but have to consider how we enhance the experience of coming to work for our customers. This of course means great food and service, but also a huge focus on nutrition, sustainability, wellbeing and social value, as well as the pure enjoyment of surprising events or new flavours.
Is hospitality local or global?
I’m a ‘somewhere’ as opposed to an ‘anywhere’ kind of person. Place is very important to me, so I’m going to say local. I love finding local suppliers, local produce and being a regular in a couple of my local pubs and cafés.
What’s best about your weekend?
Spending time with family and friends. And if Brentford win that’s even better!
I relax by…
Sport – either doing it or watching it – cycling, swimming, running, golf, tennis and of course football – every weekend has some or all of these in it!
Eat out or eat in?
Both, but I love the variety and voyage of discovery of new restaurants.
Tea or coffee?
Tea
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise our readers.
I think most people would assume that I love a night on the beer followed by the hottest curry on the menu, and they’re not wrong on the beer… but I’m a chicken korma man! I can’t handle anything hot!
