Welcome to Talking Hospitality
Talking Hospitality

Talking Hospitality

Get ready for a whirlwind 20 minutes of pure hospitality gold in each Talking Hospitality episode!

We dive into issues and problems being faced by Hospitality professionals and the Hospitality industry itself.

But this isn't a whinge fest! Each guest must provide solutions, tips and advice only!

No filler, no jargon, just actionable insights that'll leave you not just informed but inspired.

Tune in and elevate your hospitality game in just 20 minutes of listening!

Recent Episodes

Beyond The Menu: Season Finale

Beyond The Menu: Season Finale

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How Can We Create Women Leaders in Hospitality?

How Can We Create Women Leaders in Hospitality?

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Timothy, Wave the Kettel off

Timothy, Wave the Kettel off

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How To Make Your Hospitality Business More Sustainable

How To Make Your Hospitality Business More Sustainable

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How To Turn A One Person Business Into Several Businesses

How To Turn A One Person Business Into Several Businesses

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What Lessons Can Hospitality Learn from the World of Drag?

What Lessons Can Hospitality Learn from the World of Drag?

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Recent Blog Posts

Has Hospitality lost a generation, and is too late?

It's not too late, but Hospitality needs to act NOW. It's very true that we are very close to having a "lost generation" of young people as a result of the lockdowns and disruptions to their education (and social skills). Speaking to, sitting down…

Why Should Hospitality Engage With Schools?

Ugh. School kids. 😨 Young people. Bleurgh. 🤢 This is quite often the reaction I get from some hospitality professionals - who (most of the time) are too busy to be distracted by things like this. ... Which is unfortunate as following on from B…

Is Hospitality a Dead End Job?

"Hospitality is a dead-end job" Very few things annoy me more than when I hear those words. This is often accompanied with phrases such as “too low pay”, “too long hours” and “too stressful”. Whilst at entry le…

About the Hosts

Timothy R AndrewsProfile Photo

Timothy R Andrews

Host of Talking Hospitality | Trainer

(Host 2020- )

Hospitality isn't just my profession; it's a part of who I am. Growing up and carving a career in London, I've been immersed in one of the world's most bustling hospitality scenes. My story in this industry began with hands-on roles, where I quickly learned that success in hospitality is all about understanding people and their unique needs.

For 16 years, I was at the helm of my own 5-star Hospitality Recruitment business. This experience wasn't just about business growth; it was a journey in understanding the heartbeat of the industry – the people who make it thrive. I've always been fascinated by the stories, the challenges, and the triumphs that come with a career in hospitality.

In 2023, my podcast, previously known as "Timothy Put The Kettel On," evolved into "Talking Hospitality." This change was more than a rebrand; it was a natural progression of my desire to share the wealth of knowledge and experiences I've gathered. The podcast is my way of giving back to the industry that has given me so much. It's a platform where I can engage with fellow professionals, discuss trends, and explore the future of hospitality in a relaxed, conversational style.

My approach to the podcast mirrors my approach to life: friendly, straightforward, and always with a touch of British charm. I aim to create a space where seasoned hospitality professionals can feel at home, sharing insights and stories that resonate with their own experiences.

Beyond the microphone, I'… Read More

Tracey RashidProfile Photo

Tracey Rashid

Host of Talking Hospitality | Entrepreneur | Cake Artist

(Host 2023 - )

Tracey Rashid, the founder of Essence of Cake and Essence of Teams, is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in both the culinary and corporate worlds.

Professional Background: Before venturing into the cake world, Tracey Rashid worked in a corporate environment for nearly 20 years. Her experience spans across various large organizations such as BMW, Transport for London, Aon, and Cable & Wireless Plc. In these roles, she excelled as a Trainer, Facilitator, and People Capability Manager.

Transition to Culinary Entrepreneurship: Tracey's passion for baking led her to professionally delve into the cake world about seven years ago. She is the owner, baker, and cake designer at Essence of Cake, where she combines her love for culinary arts with her expertise in training and facilitation.

Essence of Teams: Recognizing a unique opportunity to blend her corporate experience with her culinary skills, Tracey founded Essence of Teams. This venture was inspired by her desire to break the mold in traditional team building, offering something different and unique. Essence of Teams focuses on creating bespoke team-building experiences, leveraging Tracey's expertise in both the corporate and culinary sectors.

Awards and Recognition: Under Tracey's leadership, her team-building events won an award in 2021 for Excellence in Team Building. This accolade is a testament to her innovative approach and commitment to excellence in both her entrepreneurial ventures.

Current Endeavors: As a founder, … Read More

Sarah KettelProfile Photo

Sarah Kettel

Host of Talking Hospitality | Culinary Innovator | Author

(Host 2020-24)

Sarah Kettel has been actively working in the hospitality industry for the last ten years. Her experience is diverse, encompassing roles in outdoor catering, front of house, back of house, and delivery cloud kitchens. This breadth of experience underlines her deep understanding and passion for the hospitality sector.

In 2020, Sarah embarked on further education, studying for a foundation degree in Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College. She also expanded her studies into sustainability (Food System Transformation at the University of Copenhagen) and AI for deployment (DeepLearning.ai and Oxford Said Business School starting February 2022). Her commitment to education reflects her dedication to continuous learning and staying at the forefront of culinary innovation.

Sarah is working to merge her love of food with her interest in technology. She aims to influence positive change in the hospitality industry by integrating culinary arts with advancements in sustainability and AI.

Alongside Timothy R Andrews, Sarah co-created the podcast "Timothy Put The Kettel On," a platform to share stories and celebrate the resilience and ingenuity found in the hospitality industry. She rejoins in season 4 as part of the rebranded "Talking Hospitality" podcast, and brings her knowledge, enthusiasm to the show, sharing insights and experiences from the hospitality world.

Notable Contributions and Achievements:

Mentoring in The Tooting Street Food Challenge; Sarah mentored a winning team of young peop… Read More

Joe McDonnell MIHProfile Photo

Joe McDonnell MIH

Host | Company Director | 200 Hospitality

(Co-host 2024 -)

Combining a relentless drive to improve the hospitality industry through his consultancy 200Hospitality, Joe McDonnell is a force for positive change.

As a hospitality consultant specialising in growth strategies, systems, and business development, Joe has seen first-hand how a focus on people, purpose, and profit can elevate every aspect of a hospitality environment.

Following on from his successful guest appearance on Talking Hospitality, Joe now takes the reins as co-host, determined to grow the platform for industry leaders to share insights, drive innovation, and reshape the hospitality landscape.

With his sharp business acumen and a heartfelt commitment to the people powering the industry, Joe McDonnell embodies the values Talking Hospitality stands for.

He will be joining for season 5 but you'll be able to see him before then on our Instagram as he gets down and dirty with Hospitality professionals and experts, asking them about the industry.

Get ready for insightful conversations, actionable solutions, and a healthy dose of inspiration as Joe educates and redefines what it means to be in hospitality.