Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

Phil Street
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Hospitality Meets is a weekly podcast that explores the stories and journeys of people from all walks of life in the hospitality industry. Host Phil Street talks to everyone from founders and chefs to hotel general managers and restaurant managers, as well as engineers, designers, financiers, and even politicians. Through these conversations, Phil showcases the sheer diversity of opportunity that exists within hospitality, and the fun you can have along the way. He also shares insights into the latest trends and challenges facing the industry, and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most exciting and innovative businesses in hospitality. If you're interested in a career in hospitality, or if you're simply curious about the world of hospitality, then Hospitality Meets is the podcast for you. Join Phil for a weekly dose of inspiration, insight, and humor. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

  1. Hospitality Meets Conrad Brunton - Cockroaches in the Bloodstream

    19H AGO

    Hospitality Meets Conrad Brunton - Cockroaches in the Bloodstream

    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

    1h 2m
  2. Hospitality Meets Ella De Beer - Electric Mayonnaise & Chicken on a Stick

    MAR 4

    Hospitality Meets Ella De Beer - Electric Mayonnaise & Chicken on a Stick

    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

    53 min
  3. Hospitality Meets Roddy Watt - Still Building

    FEB 25

    Hospitality Meets Roddy Watt - Still Building

    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 empireWhat happens when venture capital meets optimismThe week that tested everythingWhy attitude beats experienceWhy high performers don’t get a free passRelaunching 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

    50 min
  4. Hospitality Meets Douglas Balish - Forged in the Kitchen

    FEB 18

    Hospitality Meets Douglas Balish - Forged in the Kitchen

    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 ScotlandWalking away from university to chase kitchens insteadThe brutal reality of early Michelin kitchensWhy some pressure builds you, and some destroys youTaking demotions to grow fasterWorking at Bohemia and being completely out of his depthThe intensity of Whatley ManorMoving to Australia to work at QuayWhy leadership is not one size fits allCreating 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 thoughtBeing publicly humbledBeing dropped down the ranksTaking 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: JerseyThe CotswoldsAustraliaBack 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 createIdeas are tested safelyFeedback is constructiveGrowth 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

    1h 12m
  5. Hospitality Meets Caitlin Owens - Regenerative Hospitality

    FEB 11

    Hospitality Meets Caitlin Owens - Regenerative Hospitality

    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 SwitzerlandRunning a pub during the wild summer of 2021The science (and danger) of cleaning beer linesWhy hospitality operates permanently on the edge of chaosWhat consulting really taught her (hint: it’s not insurance maths)Bringing regenerative farming into luxury hospitalityWhy “low choice, high quality” beats endless optionsThe rise of the farm stay experienceDescribing 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 cellarSmelling permanently of aleA sheep on a lead turning up for the village nativityA 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 thinkingClear communicationConfidence with tech providersThe 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 wasteFewer food milesLower choice, higher qualityDoing 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

    54 min
  6. Hospitality Meets Will Fraser - Why Understanding Drives Performance

    FEB 4

    Hospitality Meets Will Fraser - Why Understanding Drives Performance

    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 forceThe difference between thinking you know something and actually knowing itWhy misunderstanding (not laziness) drives most workplace issuesWhat elite sport gets right about teams that business often gets wrongThe hidden cost of constant change and short term thinkingWhy stability can be a genuine competitive advantageHow 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: AttritionInternal progressionTeam 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 rolesFelt pressure to change something without clarity on whatWondered 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

    1h 2m
  7. Hospitality Meets Klaudia Mitura - Prepare To Be Happy

    JAN 28

    Hospitality Meets Klaudia Mitura - Prepare To Be Happy

    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 sinceLosing a job, being separated from family, rescheduling a wedding four times, a family cancer diagnosis… and why happiness still matteredWhy Klaudia decided to treat her life like a scientific experimentWhat the science of happiness actually tells usWhy happiness isn’t a destination - it’s a starting pointThe power of micro-habits and why 1% changes beat life overhaulsWhy happiness fuels kindness, generosity, optimism and impactThe danger of “I’ll be happy when…” thinkingWhy 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 systemMakes us more resilient under pressureIncreases kindness, generosity and problem solvingGives 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 happinessYou want practical tools, not platitudesYou lead people and want them to thrive, not just surviveYou’re curious about how your brain actually worksYou 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

    54 min
  8. #239 - Hospitality Meets Dulcie Swanston - It's Not Bloody Rocket Science

    JAN 21

    #239 - Hospitality Meets Dulcie Swanston - It's Not Bloody Rocket Science

    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 superpowerAccidentally landing a graduate role at Bass PLC because it was the only application deadline still open, and why that changed everythingTurning up on day one… only to be told the marketing department no longer existedBecoming the company’s first ever “commercial graduate” a role nobody could quite defineWorking across finance, property, operations, HR and brand, and why that breadth became a giftManaging O’Neill’s pubs taking £50–60k a week and winning global performance awardsRecruiting and developing women into leadership roles when talent was hidden in plain sightFinding her true calling in HR in her mid 30s and realising leadership is about helping others be great at their jobsThe difference between leaders whose teams perform only when they’re present… and leaders whose teams thrive when they’re notWhy 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 environmentsFeels overwhelmed by complexity and wants clarityWants to understand why great leaders work, not just what they doIs curious about coaching, self-awareness, and better thinkingLoves 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

    1h 15m
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Hospitality Meets is a weekly podcast that explores the stories and journeys of people from all walks of life in the hospitality industry. Host Phil Street talks to everyone from founders and chefs to hotel general managers and restaurant managers, as well as engineers, designers, financiers, and even politicians. Through these conversations, Phil showcases the sheer diversity of opportunity that exists within hospitality, and the fun you can have along the way. He also shares insights into the latest trends and challenges facing the industry, and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most exciting and innovative businesses in hospitality. If you're interested in a career in hospitality, or if you're simply curious about the world of hospitality, then Hospitality Meets is the podcast for you. Join Phil for a weekly dose of inspiration, insight, and humor. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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