Episode One of Food Service Matters Season Three sees host Patrick McDermott sit down with Julian Fris, Founder and Principal Consultant at Neller Davies, to discuss his career and insights into the evolving food service industry.

In this episode, Patrick and Julian delve into topics like improving food service quality in the NHS, fostering a better food culture, and the challenges of innovation and compliance. They also explore the psychology of guest environments and the importance of listening to customers.

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities shaping the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey—and don’t miss the next episode coming soon.

In this special end-of-year episode of the Food Service Matters podcast, host Patrick McDermott, CEO of DigiTally, is joined by an extraordinary panel of industry leaders to reflect on the defining moments of 2024 and share their expert predictions for 2025.

Welcoming back some of the most respected and forward thinking voices in food service, Patrick’s guests include:

From their reflections on the industry’s evolution to their bold visions for the year ahead, these thought leaders share valuable insights and expertise that will inspire anyone passionate about food service.

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities shaping the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey—and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In episode Nine of the Food Service Matters Season Two podcast, host Patrick McDermott sits down with Angus Brydon, Joint Managing Director of BM Caterers, to explore his journey in the food service industry. With over 11 years at BM and a wealth of experience from leading food service businesses, Angus shares his ethos of “always exceeding expectations” and how this has shaped BM's success. 

Patrick and Angus discuss the company’s family-first culture, the importance of staff wellbeing, and the many initiatives BM has in place, from extended maternity leave to a focus on mental health. They also delve into the two-star accreditation from the Best Companies Award and Angus' pride in the team’s collaborative spirit. Angus shares insights on challenges facing the industry today, including the evolution of ESG, the impact of technology, and the balance between people and commerciality.

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey — and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In episode number eight of the Food Service Matters season two podcast, host Patrick McDermott interviews Simon Esner, a food service industry veteran with over 50 years’ experience, including as former director of Westbury Street Holdings and as a current trustee of Hospitality Action.

Patrick talks to Simon about his remarkable journey from kitchen porter to director of a billion-pound business, highlighting the crucial role of mentorship in shaping his career. They also discuss the significant changes Simon has witnessed in the industry, including technological advancements and the growing focus on sustainability and ESG practices. Simon also shares his insights into the importance of building strong relationships in food service, nurturing staff, and supporting local producers. 

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey – and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In Episode Seven of the Food Service Matters Season Two podcast, host Patrick McDermott interviews Rebecca Stevenson, a seasoned food service consultant with over a decade of experience in hotel management and workplace catering for major companies. 

Patrick talks to Rebecca about the evolving landscape of food service tenders and the critical role of client-supplier relationships. He also discovers more about the growing importance of ESG initiatives, the power of data-driven decision-making, and the challenges of recruitment in the industry. Rebecca shares insights on innovation in food service, the impact of technology on customer experience, and the need for greater diversity in leadership roles.

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey – and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In Season Two, Episode Six of the Food Service Matters podcast, host Patrick McDermott interviews Katie Harel, Global Vice President of Marketing at Rhubarb Hospitality, an international hospitality company specialising in luxury event catering and creative dining experiences at iconic restaurants and venues.

Patrick discovers more about Katie’s background growing up around luxury hotels and her passion for excellent service. They also discuss Rhubarb’s innovative approach to food service through the use of art, design and culinary creativity at top venues like Sky Garden and the Royal Albert Hall. Katie also shares insights on the power of social media storytelling, the importance of attracting young talent to the industry and Rhubarb’s sustainability initiatives. 

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey – and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In this episode, host Patrick McDermott interviews Chris Stern, founder and managing director of Stern Consultancy, a specialist catering consultancy helping a wide range of clients in the UK and Europe improve their workplace food service operations and offerings. 

Patrick discovers more about Chris’ perspective on how client expectations in the industry have evolved over the decades, including the prioritisation of cost-cutting, sustainability, social value, and enhancing the workplace setting through catering. They also discuss the key factors clients consider when selecting caterers and the essential role technology now plays in food service when it comes to food waste, costs and customer experience. 

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey – and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In this episode of Food Service Matters, host Patrick McDermott interviews Candice Finn, Commercial Development Director for Litmus, a specialist consultancy firm working with organisations in the food service and facilities management sectors. 

Patrick discovers more about Candice’s role at Litmus, advising clients on getting the best value from their service contracts. They also discuss the biggest challenges facing businesses today, such as flexibility, personalisation, cost pressures and ESG. Candice also shares her take on the importance of consumer insight, the role of technology, reducing food waste, and top issues for the sector around talent, sustainability and supply chain inflation.

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey – and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In this episode, host Patrick McDermott interviews Jon Davies, Managing Director of Levy UK & Ireland, part of Compass Group. Levy specialises in providing bespoke food service on a large scale, including for popular sports venues, arenas, events and conferences. 

Patrick finds out more about Jon’s passion for the environment and the measures he’s taking to improve overall operational sustainability at Levy. They also discuss Jon’s thoughts on the responsibility of the food service sector to source food more responsibly, reduce its environmental impact and encourage ethical menu options. 

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey – and watch out for the next episode coming soon.

In episode two of the Food Service Matters season two podcast, host Patrick McDermott interviews Chris Sheppardson, founder and managing director of EP Business in Hospitality, a leading communicator in the industry aiming to build trusted business partnerships, encourage entrepreneurships and share knowledge. 

Patrick talks to Chris about the huge effect brought about by COVID-19, particularly on industry collaboration and office culture, and finds out how advances in technology have empowered businesses to improve customer service. They also discuss changes in leadership roles and the importance of nurturing new talent in the food service industry. 

Food Service Matters is a podcast that explores the challenges and opportunities facing the food service industry today. Subscribe to join us on our journey – and watch out for the next episode coming soon.