YouTube

Technology shifts? No problem. This sales star dominated British Gas, selling central heating. At 21, she crushed objections with expert knowledge, proving age is just a number in sales. Learn more on Talking Hospitality! #talkinghospitality #hospitality #SalesSkills #CustomerService #SuccessStory

A single mum's inspiring story of balancing work and family, proving it's the quality of time, not quantity, that counts. Never be afraid to ask for help! 🎧 Full episode on our YouTube channel @talkinghospitalitypodcast or search "Talking Hospitality"; on your favourite podcast platforms. Subscribe for more! #talkinghospitality #hospitality #SingleMums #WorkLifeBalance #QualityTime

It's about the quality of time you spend with your children, not the quantity. Create lasting memories – they'll remember the little things. Dawn Lawrence, founder of Hospitality Jobs UK, shares her take. #talkinghospitality #hospitality #Parenting #FamilyTime #WorkLifeBalance

Get in the festive spirit with a dose of holiday humour. Listen to the full podcast episode on YouTube. #talkinghospitality #hospitality #ChristmasJokes #SantaClaus #HolidayHumor

Who Is Santas Favourite Reindeer?#talkinghospitality #hospitality #christmas #reindeer #santa

Timothy R Andrews shares why he'll stick with human interaction. #talkinghospitality #hospitality #guestexperience #robots #automation #xfiles

How to Demystify TripAdvisor?What hand towels tells you about a restaurant in toilets?How does branding have an effect with reviews?How do you define brand?This is another information packed episode - out today!!With Sachin Parmar and Sanj Naha from Brand Partners Graphic Kitchen#talkinghospitality #GraphicKitchen #Brand #Tripadvisor #hospitality

Branding in hospitality isn’t a logo exercise — it’s the feeling people carry with them when they walk out the door. In this episode, Sachin Parmar and Sanj Naha from Graphic Kitchen join us to unpack what great branding really looks like in restaurants, hotels and bars. We explore everything from menu design and technology to TripAdvisor strategy, toilets (yes, really), and why consistency is the quiet power behind long-term success.You’ll hear how consumer expectations have shifted, why the “experience” starts long before a guest arrives, and how reviews influence footfall more than most operators realise. Sachin and Sanj share hard-won advice on building a brand with purpose, leveraging tech to get bums on seats, and using online reputation to drive revenue, team morale, and guest loyalty.If you’ve ever wondered how to keep guests coming back, or how to cut through the noise in a crowded market, this episode will give you the clarity — and the challenge — to rethink your bran…

Why TripAdvisor still matters in hospitality. Guests invest time and insight into reviews, boosting natural SEO on Google. Reviews add photos and detail, helping restaurants and hotels rank higher. For the full discussion, find Talking Hospitality wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe for more from the voices shaping hospitality's future. #talkinghospitality #hospitality #TripAdvisor #RestaurantMarketing #HotelMarketing #graphickitchen

How do you make your hospitality brand genuinely stand out — not just online, but in the moments guests remember? In this episode, hosts Joe McDonnell and Timothy R Andrews sit down with Sachin Parmar and Sanj Naha from Graphic Kitchen to explore what great branding really looks like in today’s restaurant and hotel landscape. We break down why branding is a feeling rather than a logo, why consistency is everything, and how guest experience now starts long before someone walks through the door. Sachin and Sanj share real examples of menu design mistakes, tech shortcuts that cost operators bookings, and why TripAdvisor still has huge influence on revenue and reputation.You’ll hear:• What makes a brand unforgettable in a competitive market• How to build consistency across every touchpoint• Why TripAdvisor and Google reviews matter more than ever• How to use technology to remove friction and drive bookings• The power of purpose, storytelling and “moments” inside your business•…

What hand towels tells you about a restaurant in toilets?How does branding have an effect with reviews?What IS branding?All this and more in our upcoming new episode on Thursday#talkinghospitality #graphickitchen #podcast #hospitality #branding

Why Is Hospitality Still A Great Place To Work? Host Joe McDonnell speaks to Jane Atheron from the Tim Bacon Foundation. #talkinghospitality #hospitality #hospitalitylife #hospitallityindustry #restaurantlife

International Men’s Day celebrates the positive value men bring to the world, their families, and communities. The day also aims to promote gender equality, highlight men’s health and well-being, and celebrate positive male role models.Common themes include:Promoting men’s physical and mental healthEncouraging positive masculinityStrengthening relationships and family valuesHighlighting men’s contributions to society#InternationalMensDay and #MensDay.

Brand isn't just design, it's a feeling. Key to consistent growth, especially with the influx of American franchises. The experience matters, from Instagram to the restroom! #talkinghospitality #hospitality #BrandConsistency #CustomerExperience #GenZ #Restaurant

Vince Kelly from the Mayor of London and Capital City College Westminster (Kingsway) explains all in this informative episode.This is an initiative we should all get behind as an industry.#talkinghospitality #hospitality #podcast #mayoroflondon #skillspassport #citycollegewestminster #kingswaycollege

In this episode of Talking Hospitality, Timothy R Andrews and Joe McDonnell are joined by Olajide Alabi, one of the UK’s most engaging voices in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion — and Co-Founder of SISU, the People Experience Agency.Olajide breaks down what EDI really means in practice: how inclusion starts with belonging and psychological safety, why focusing on diversity alone misses the point, and what real leadership looks like when it’s human-centred and curious.In this episode:• Why inclusion and equity matter more than diversity targets• The dangers of “tick-box” EDI approaches• How psychological safety transforms culture and performance• Why representation at the top still matters — and how to get there• The business benefits of empathy, curiosity, and storytellingCompanies mentioned in this episode:• TGI Fridays • SISU • Graphic Kitchen

Timothy R Andrews and Joe McDonnell speak with Olajide Alabi, Co-Founder of SISU, the People Experience Agency, about inclusion, equity and belonging in hospitality.They explore how EDI can move beyond “tick boxes” to genuine inclusion that improves culture, performance and business success.🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple / all podcast platforms🌐 www.talkinghospitality.comTop tips from the crew at Talking Hospitality podcast - providing solutions & support for the Hospitality industry.http://www.talkinghospitality.com/This is more than just a podcast — it's a platform for voices across the global hospitality industry. At Talking Hospitality, we bring together the people who live and breathe service — from hotel executives, restaurant owners, chefs, and marketers to educators, designers, and startup founders transforming the way we experience hospitality.Each episode explores the real stories, strategies, and challenges behind the scenes of hospitality — from luxury hotels and…

In this very special audio-only bonus edition of Talking Hospitality (you won’t find it on YouTube), host Timothy R Andrews is joined once again by Tracey Rashid, returning to the mic for an inspiring conversation with Mex Ibrahim, co-founder of Women in the Food Industry.Mex shares how her organisation shines a spotlight on the stories and successes of women across every corner of the food world — from chefs and producers to entrepreneurs and policy leaders. She discusses the barriers women still face in hospitality, the power of visibility and storytelling, and why collaboration — not competition — is key to real progress.This episode also explores:• The stories behind women like Asma Khan, Emma Heal (Lucky Saint), and Ramona Hazan (Ramona’s Kitchen)• The importance of female leadership and allyship from men• How women can support each other through community, mentorship, and confidence-buildingA must-listen for anyone passionate about equality, representati…

In this episode, we’re joined by Vince Kelly, manager of the Mayor’s Hospitality Skills Academy at Westminster Kingsway College, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing the industry today — the skills gap.With 30 years’ experience as a chef and lecturer, Vince has seen the talent pipeline shrink first-hand. He shares how the Hospitality Skills Passport — a new initiative being developed in collaboration with UKHospitality, Springboard, and DWP — could revolutionise how people enter and progress within the sector.We explore the importance of standardising entry-level training, why mentorship matters, and how colleges, employers, and government need to work together to professionalise hospitality careers in the UK.It’s a must-listen for employers, educators, and anyone passionate about shaping the future of hospitality talent.Takeaways:• Vince Kelly shares his extensive background as a chef and educator, emphasizing the importance of practical experience in …

In this episode, we tackle one of the most avoided topics in hospitality: tax. Whether you're self-employed, running a growing business, or just trying to make sense of payroll and forecasting, this conversation with Sema Ziler of Elan Tax is packed with straight-talking advice and practical insight.Sema joins Timothy and Joe to share what every hospitality professional should know about staying compliant, planning ahead, and avoiding costly mistakes — from inheritance tax and payroll penalties to the realities of managing cash flowWe also explore what separates a good accountant from a bad one, and why proactive financial advice is often the difference between growth and stress.It’s not just about tax returns — it’s about protecting your future.Plus, we sprinkle in some fun anecdotes about the common pitfalls and red flags that can signal it's time to call in the experts. Get ready for a light-hearted but informative chat that might just make tax season a little less …

What does it mean to reconnect with your culture through food — and why are so many people in hospitality paying attention to Sri Lankan cuisine right now?In this episode, we speak with Ranji Thangiah, co-founder of the Sri Lankan Culture Collective, about the personal journey that led her to start documenting recipes, stories, and memories after the loss of her father. What began as a way to process grief has grown into a powerful platform celebrating Sri Lankan identity in the UK — through food, conversation, and community.We reflect on the growing visibility of Sri Lankan food in the mainstream, the importance of distinguishing it from broader South Asian cuisine, and the role of supper clubs and independent producers in shaping the next wave of culinary leadership.This conversation explores culture, belonging, heritage, and why food can be a powerful way to preserve what matters — especially when it’s at risk of being forgotten.https://tootingmama.com/about-tooting-mam…

Safeguarding in hospitality should be more than just policy, it should be embedded in a business' culture. In this episode, we explore how training, awareness, and prevention can transform venues into safer spaces for both staff and guests.In this powerful episode of Talking Hospitality, we’re joined by Eren Bessim, Head of Training & Development at Safer Business Network, who brings frontline experience from the police force, festivals, and now the hospitality industry to tackle a critical subject: safeguarding.We dig into why safety training isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about changing the culture of your business. Eren shares eye-opening stories from venues where prevention and intervention made all the difference, from spiking and harassment to hidden disabilities and suicide prevention.We unpack the significance of schemes like Ask for Angela, WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement), and the upcoming Martyn’s Law. You’ll hear how proactive training helps n…

When we chat about the potential of AI in hospitality, one of the big ideas we dive into is the concept of agentic AI. Essentially, we’re talking about creating little digital helpers—think minions from Despicable Me—that can take on specific tasks, learn from context, and get better over time. Instead of just tossing queries at a model like ChatGPT and hoping for the best, these agents are designed to work within your organization’s unique environment, pulling from your specific data to provide accurate and relevant responses. In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Matt Grimshaw, the founder of Youda, to explore how agentic AI is redefining the employee experience in hospitality—from onboarding to retention and everything in between.We unpack:🧠 What agentic AI actually is (think smart little digital minions)📲 How it automates repetitive HR admin and improves employee communication📉 Why it could reduce turnover by identifying root causes in real-time🌍 H…

Hospitality is at the heart of what makes London the greatest city in the world, and in this episode, we're diving deep into that very idea! Jason shares his unforgettable encounter with Bill Clinton, who declared London the best city, sparking an inspiration that led to the creation of the London Lifestyle Awards. We chat about how these awards celebrate all the amazing experiences outside of work that make London shine, from top-notch restaurants to cozy coffee shops. With over 15 years of recognizing the best of the best, Jason gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the awards evolved and adapted to the changing landscape of hospitality. So grab your favorite drink, sit back, and join us as we explore the vibrant world of London hospitality and the joy of celebrating it together!What does Bill Clinton, the Dorchester, and a passion for public recognition have in common? Jason Gale, founder of the London Lifestyle Awards, joins us for an unfiltered and inspiring look at how…