Season 3, Episode 6 – Built to Flex: Thomas & Tate on Culture, Tech and Doing Things Differently

This week on Food Service Matters, host Patrick McDermott is joined by Thomas Pass and Sam Tate, the dynamic duo behind Thomas & Tate — one of the UK’s most agile and values-driven contract catering businesses.

Known for their distinctive strengths — Tom in sales and client growth, Sam in culinary operations — the two share how their yin-and-yang leadership model drives innovation, clarity, and culture.

In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore:

• Why they rejected off-the-shelf systems in favour of custom-built tech

• How real-time data drives smarter buying decisions and reduces food waste
• What radical candour means in practice — and why it works
• Why getting access to new business remains their #1 challenge
• And how they’ve built a Top 10 Employer by investing in people and purpose

Thomas & Tate aren’t just growing a company — they’re rethinking what great food service looks like from the inside out.

Tune in for an honest, energising episode full of takeaways for anyone building a modern food service brand.