Stefano shares his journey and how it is to lead a 6th-generation family business as CEO of Macknade. Stefano breaks down his mission to successfully carry on the legacy of his parents and cultivate community with food and drink within Macknade. We also discuss his goals of human environment harmony and his philosophy on culture and people. Lastly, Stefano talks about his role as CEO in his generational family company and shares his business advice for leaders in the space. Connect with Stefano:...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep 235•Transcript available on Metacast Meet Hamish Cook - Head of Group Food Services at ISS. ISS is a leading global workplace experience and facility management company. In this week's conversation, we speak with Hamish about his start in the food industry, ISS' mission to reduce waste and carbon, encouraging plant-rich eating and the power of pulses/beans. We also discuss challenges in the industry, including why hospitality and catering is a true professional career. Lastly, Hamish also covers adapting the business model fo...
Oct 26, 2023•52 min•Ep 234•Transcript available on Metacast Shawn Askinosie Founder and CEO of Askinosie Chocolate returns to the podcast. On Episode #169, we talked about why he started the business and his book Meaningful Work. In this conversation, Shawn shares his experiences with his origin trips and his mission to give back to the communities. He also talks about his Chocolate University Foundation which gives young students the opportunity to share in his non-traditional chocolate business as they travel world. Lastly, Shawn discusses the meaningf...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep 233•Transcript available on Metacast This week we hear from Director of People & Training Victoria Freeman and HR & Training Manager Holly Norrington from the award-winning catering company Thomas Franks. In this week's conversation, Vicky and Holly cover their business model, how they were able to build upon their values through feeding initiatives during COVID-19, the beliefs they stand by in Thomas Franks and designing a team culture for longevity. They also discuss how they successfully grow as a company, how...
Oct 12, 2023•50 min•Ep 232•Transcript available on Metacast Klaudia Mitura, podcast host, for The Happiness Challenges, comes back on the show to discuss how she test drives happiness hacks for when times are tougher through the science of happiness. Klaudia explains how she researches happiness and how she encourages people to create more happiness rather than relying on the brain to dish out those emotions for us. She also covers her definition of happiness, misconceptions around happiness, if genetics play a role, state of happiness now with increased...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep 231•Transcript available on Metacast This is Frederick Szydlowski, Co-Founder of Embargo, a CRM & loyalty data engine platform helping coffee shops, bakeries & quick-service restaurants connect with their key customers to drive repeat business across every customer journey. This week, we speak with Frederick on how he founded Embargo, key takeaways for businesses to build relationships with customers, understanding the consumer on a deeper level through data, and thinking outside the box to develop consumer loyalty. Connect...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep 230•Transcript available on Metacast Fergus Navaratnam-Blair Research Director at National Research Group, a research agency that focuses on the intersection of media, culture, and technology. In this conversation, Fergus breaks down AI; how AI can improve technologies, transform tasks in the travel industry, if consumers can truly trust where AI is now, human accountability through AI, and key points to think about when using AI in your organization. Connect with Ferugs https://www.linkedin.com/in/fergus-navaratnam-blair-aa0a72a1/...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 229•Transcript available on Metacast This week's guest is Reiner Kraft, PhD founder of The Mindful Leader. The Mindful Leader focuses on mindful leadership methodologies to help leaders reach new levels of awareness, performance, energy, and resilience. In this conversation, Reiner shares his story of where mindfulness first played a role in his life, the importance of operationalizing mindful knowledge into daily life, and tracking your mind vs. body KPIs. Through this understanding leaders will be able to stay present and st...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep 228•Transcript available on Metacast Jensen Cummings, 5th generation chef, 22+ years in the restaurant industry and recorded over 400 podcast episodes at the Best Served Podcast. This week's conversation with Jensen takes a look at the restaurant industry and Jensen's viewpoints on how the industry is surviving, improvements he suggests, and actionable steps that can be done to improve the restaurant business model. He also shares how his experience has helped him see different vantage points in the industry to produce better chefs...
Sep 07, 2023•1 hr•Ep 227•Transcript available on Metacast Paul Newnham is the Network Lead SDG2 Advocacy Hub, Chefs' Manifesto, and BeansisHow. This week's conversation covers the current state of the food industry systems, and how we in food service can play a vital role in making it better for people and the planet. Paul shares how he is taking action with food operators and chefs to tackle challenges in the food industry. Connect with Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulnewnham/ https://www.instagram.com/paulnewnham/ https://twitter.com/paulnewnha...
Aug 31, 2023•56 min•Ep 226•Transcript available on Metacast Jonatan Rasmussen, Co-Founder of All Gravy, shares his passion for better employee engagement and how financial wellness plays a large role in retention and performance. This conversation covers the importance of building employee experience through financial wellness, challenges businesses face and how mindset can affect performance, the benefit of tech within a business, and being self-aware as an operator. Connect with Jonatan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonatanmarc/ https://www.allgravy.com...
Aug 24, 2023•59 min•Ep 225•Transcript available on Metacast Third time guest, Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of Zingerman's Community of Businesses, sits down to discuss the importance of knowing and understanding beliefs in the workplace. Do you know what you believe and do you know what you don't believe? This week's conversation encourages self-reflection of your beliefs and how everyone fundamentally comes from a set of beliefs. Ari shares how knowing a company's set of beliefs aids in employee positivity and productivity. Connect with Ari: Ari Weinzweig:...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep 224•Transcript available on Metacast This episode we connect with Julian Fris, Founder and Principal Consultant at Neller Davies. Through his experience in the food industry, Julian has made it his mission to prioritize what people want in the most cost effective way. This conversation dives into the state of food in hospitals today, and Julian shares the strategies and tactics they have implemented to improve the quality of food in the NHS. Connect with Julian https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianfris/ https://nellerdavies.com/ This ...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep 223•Transcript available on Metacast Mike Hohnen found his start in the hospitality industry at a young age and through many trials and errors of being in business, he gained experience with about everything. After reflecting on his business ventures, he found that what he was most passionate about was the growth of leadership and how you get to become a good leader. Mike's emphasis on catering to the "little people" and caring about the relationships of others has truly proven successful in the workplace. He shares the questions h...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep 222•Transcript available on Metacast This week we talk with Chris Hughes, expert on marketing and branding. Chris has worked with some of the most significant companies and mastered marketing by learning and teaching others what he is most passionate about - how to scale the story and culture. In this discussion, Chris breaks down his formula for the best company vision and mission, owning your brand's purpose and bringing these alive through a book of culture. Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishughes102/ This po...
Jul 27, 2023•53 min•Ep 221•Transcript available on Metacast Oliver Winter, Founder and CEO at a&o Hostels, went from travelling the world with his friends in cheap hostels to founding and running his own affordable yet safe, hostel chain. In this episode, you will also hear how Oliver and his team have goals to go net zero by 2025, the plans they have implemented, and how their employees have participated in achieving and offering solutions to accomplish net zero emissions. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-winter-berlin/ A big thank you to o...
Jul 20, 2023•52 min•Ep 220•Transcript available on Metacast An expert in the food and beverage industry, Julian Melletin, Director of New Nutrition Business, shares his views and gives advice to any businesses looking to scale. In this conversation, we discuss food data studies. We also cover food fads and trends and how these trends have changed the food industry throughout the years. Julian gives deep insight into New Nutrition's annual report 10 Key Trends in Food, Nutrition & Health and discuss how the power of the internet has greatly impacted c...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep 219•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, we talk with Kat Parsons, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at ISS Facility Services UK and Ireland. Kat makes waves in her workplace by ensuring that each employee feels represented, heard and cared for. We cover initiatives and programs that she's implemented in ISS, advice she would give to organizations to execute within their own business, and the overall importance of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in the workplace. Connect with Kat: www.iss.co.uk https://w...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast In todays episode, we welcome guest Patrick McDermott, founder of DigiTally, a business that helps retail and hospitality businesses reduce waste and increase margins through digital stock-taking services. Patrick believes that the food waste problem in the developed parts of the world is a serious issue and that it is time for the industry to take responsibility. We delve into the importance of understanding margins, reducing food waste, and training employees for success. Patrick also uncovers...
Jun 29, 2023•56 min•Ep 217•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we are joined by Ashley Godfrey, a hospitality industry expert. After working at Westgate Resorts for six years, she achieved her goal of becoming the director of the recreation department. She then went on to work at Walt Disney World as a management intern, where she quickly climbed the ladder to become a resort duty manager. Unfortunately, COVID-19 led to Ashley's furlough from her job, but ultimately led her to her dream job of teaching hospitality management courses at Esco...
Jun 22, 2023•52 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast As a plant-based food advocate, Chantelle Nicholson grew up in New Zealand surrounded by seasonal produce and her love for plants. She is a multi-award winning chef, owner of Apricity Restaurant (Michelin Green Star 2023) in Mayfair, former chef-owner of now-closed and much-loved Covent Garden restaurant Tredwells (the recipient of a green Michelin star in 2021) and Alls Well, a pandemic pop-up. This was a fascinating conversation where Chantelle talks candidly about food education, building inc...
Jun 15, 2023•59 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast HUNGRY is disrupting the $100 billion business food and events industry with a food-tech marketplace and logistics platform. It provides food and engagement solutions for businesses, powered by top local chefs and entrepreneurs. Today were joined by the CEO, Jeff Grass, to learn more about corporate catering in the 21s century. We delve into how to scale a culture, a system for feedback loops, providing food experiences, and storytelling through new technologies. Links: HUNGRY: https...
Jun 08, 2023•44 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast Dan Hudson is the CEO and Founder of GiGL, the anti-CV tech startup making recruitment less boring. Featured in the Startups100 list of top startups of 2023, they are re-shaping the recruitment market with their video-based recruitment platform by delivering a fast, efficient, friendly and fun process for everyone. In this conversation, Dan unpacks more about his background and how he founded the business. We also explore why volatility is an opportunity, the need to change the way ...
Jun 01, 2023•58 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast If you want to improve your profits in your restaurant, Pilar is your go-to expert. She is the Founder of Pendulo, which supports independent restaurants, pubs and cafes to be more profitable with our software, consultancy and tailor-made solutions. In this interview, we explore why so many businesses operate on losses, Pilars experience of starting from scratch after losing all of her customers data, the power of building strong relationships, and the importance of supporting your local communi...
May 25, 2023•58 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast Hotel owner and author of the book A Bridge Not Too Far, Deepak Ohri, joins the show for the second time. He is the CEO and Chief Happiness Officer at lebua Hotels & Resorts, Bangkok-based luxury hotels and restaurants company with locations in Thailand, India, and New Zealand. We reflect on how he came to run a hotel and discusses the importance of balancing material desires with principles. Deepak also talks about his new book and how he applies these principles in his everyday life, and t...
May 18, 2023•56 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast Today Im joined by a fellow Dane Rie Kattrup Lorentzen. She is currently the UK Head of Food at Ole & Steen, and has previously worked for some amazing brands like Wagamama, Whitebread and Bills Restaurants. Its fascinating to learn about her incredible journey as a chef and working in a male-dominated industry. The conversation sheds light on the challenges that women face in the culinary industry and the impact that they can still make despite the obstacles. Tune in as we unpac...
May 11, 2023•56 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Matt Tebbit is spearheading the University of Readings emphasis on human and planetary health by using the Menus of Change guiding principles and by supporting cross-institutional collaborations for both learning and research. He is currently the universitys Head of Bars and Dining. We delve into the university's approach to food and menus, particularly the Menus of Change, a ground-breaking initiative by The Culinary Institute of America and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The conver...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast Polly Robinson is a coach who specialises in leadership coaching for hospitality businesses. She joins the show to share her story and explain how she works with clients, including running leadership development workshops and participating in a government-funded program. Find out about the impact of leadership coaching for business growth, working in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) environment, and the importance of challenging oneself and others to reach their p...
Apr 27, 2023•53 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast Today we get an insight into what can be achieved when a business is used as a force for good and makes significant changes in their food supply chain through cage-free eggs. We are joined by expert two guests: Yulia Bolotina, the Global Head of ESG at Gategroup a global leader in airline catering, and Hannah Surowinski, the Global Corporate Relations Manager at The Humane League, an international nonprofit that is ending the abuse of animals raised for food. In this episode, we touch on the cha...
Apr 20, 2023•51 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast Time is a concept many of us are obsessed with, but its totally subjective. Jacob Dahl joins me to unpack the nature and experience of time for a better life. He was, until recently, a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, after spending 26 years at the global consulting firm. Today, he is a board member of a leading international bank and continues to be a serious student of science. We find out about his journey and how he became obsessed with time. Jacob shares insights about time managem...
Apr 13, 2023•54 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast