In this episode, Michael welcomes Marc Summers, a restauranteur with a bold and ambitious vision, to discuss his journey from a corporate finance career to creating a successful plant-based restaurant chain. Featuring stories of pivotal moments, including being inspired by a chef's table episode and the adrenaline of his first kitchen job, Marc outlines the organic development of his concept, the importance of testing and honing ideas through pop-ups, and the transition to opening brick-and-mortar sites. He shares his strategy for growing gracefully without compromising quality or culture, explains the intentional creation and application of core values, and highlights the excitement of future growth and new opportunities like catering. Marc also discusses the significance of transparency and respect in building a happy workplace, as evidenced by winning the Code People Award for the happiest place to work. Throughout, he reflects on the lessons learned and the importance of staying open-minded and resilient in a challenging industry.

Connect with Marc:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-summers-561366210/

https://www.bubala.co.uk/our-restaurants

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A big thank you to our epsiode sponsor Apron.

The power tool for payments that helps hospitality operators save time, cut admin, and get back to doing what they love: looking after their guests and teams.

Head to their website to sign up.

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In this episode, Michael interviews Trudi Parr, a hospitality professional with a vibrant journey that spans across media, tourism, and the evolving hotel industry. Trudi shares her unplanned yet fulfilling entry into hospitality, her roles from operations to sales, and her eventual focus on the people aspect of the business. Emphasizing the need for human-centric approaches in hospitality, she discusses the significance of treating employees well, fostering an inclusive environment, and the impact of nurturing talent from the ground up. With a keen interest in changing the perception of the hospitality industry, Trudi highlights the importance of internally built strong people practices and the challenges of recruiting and retaining talent post-COVID. Closely following the evolution of Mollie's—a motel diner concept—Trudi shares practical insights into their onboarding process, the importance of building relationships, and the excitement around new openings, particularly the upcoming launch in Manchester.

Connect with Trudi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudi-parr/

https://mollies.com/

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A big thank you to our epsiode sponsor Apron.

The power tool for payments that helps hospitality operators save time, cut admin, and get back to doing what they love: looking after their guests and teams.

Head to their website to sign up.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode, Michael is joined by Ellie from the Prep Foundation to discuss how the foundation educates young people about nutrition and cooking, especially with the decline in food tech education due to reduced school funding. Ellie shares her journey from being a chef to working with Prep, highlighting the foundation's activities, such as in-school sessions and farm-to-fork days. They also discuss the importance of gut health, the challenges faced by schools, and the crucial role the hospitality industry can play in supporting these initiatives. The episode underscores the broader impact of teaching children healthy eating habits, aiming to tackle obesity and other lifestyle diseases.

Connect with Ellie:

https://prept.foundation/

Become a Prept Partner and make a real difference to food culture in the UK. Find out more here https://prept.foundation/partners/

- to find out how your school can take part in the programme, visit Prept’s website (https://prept.foundation/what-we-do/)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-ledden-137329182/

Ellie up for an award. Finals on Monday. Voting open until then. Give your vote here:

https://www.thestaffcanteen.com/nomination/ellie-ledden-chef-educator-sussex-1757617272#/

A big thank you to our epsiode sponsor Apron.

The power tool for payments that helps hospitality operators save time, cut admin, and get back to doing what they love: looking after their guests and teams.

Head to their website to sign up.

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Takeaways:

• Hospitality leaders are on a mission to positively impact society and the planet.
• We are what we eat, and food education for kids is crucial for their health.
• Teaching young people cooking skills can transform their relationship with food and wellness.
• The Prepped Foundation connects chefs with schools to empower children through cooking education.
• Food culture directly impacts our health, and we must teach kids about nutritious choices.
• Hospitality can be a powerful force for good, addressing food education and youth empowerment.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode, Michael engages in a detailed conversation with Tommy Giraux, the Head of Restaurant Systems at Honest Burgers. Tommy shares his extensive experience in the hospitality and retail industry across France and the UK. The discussion revolves around the integration of technology in the hospitality sector, focusing on how tech can enhance operations without losing the human touch. Tommy elaborates on the use of AI for workforce management, scheduling, and personalized customer experiences. He also reflects on the challenges and benefits of implementing a data-integrated tech stack to improve efficiency and support both employees and customers. The conversation touches on the evolving role of general managers in the age of AI, the importance of maintaining authentic hospitality, and the future outlook of tech in the industry. Tommy emphasizes the significance of networking and adapting to rapid technological advancements to stay ahead in the field.

Connect with Tommy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-giraux-90030526/

https://www.honestburgers.co.uk/

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In this episode, industry veterans Steve Holmes, and Joel Robinson discuss the rapid evolution in the hospitality sector brought about by technology and the pandemic. They explore how traditional methods no longer suffice and emphasise the need for new thinking and approaches, particularly leveraging technology.

The discussion explores the origins and solutions proposed by Azzurri, highlighting the challenges of manual data entry, inefficiencies, and inaccuracies in the current system.

They propose a standardised data model for hospitality as a game-changer, akin to revolutionary standards in other industries like barcodes in retail.

The conversation also explores the role of AI and the potential for industry-wide collaboration to achieve these objectives.

Connect with Joel and Steve:

https://www.weareopenr.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareopenr/posts/?feedView=all

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-holmes-a5a13613/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-robinson-25352237/

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode, Michael welcomes Filip Linek, a hotel operator turned tech innovator, to discuss the advancements in AI and robotics in the hospitality industry. Filip shares his journey from running a packaging company to owning and managing hotels in the Czech Republic. Highlighting the challenges of staffing and maintaining high-quality service, Filip reveals how AI technology, particularly his creation, BE‑A, is transforming the guest experience by automating responses and improving efficiency without losing the human touch. Filip explains the development and future plans for BE‑A, including its potential to become a virtual receptionist capable of handling multiple languages and tasks seamlessly. The discussion also delves into the broader implications of AI in hospitality and how it might change the landscape of the industry. Filip shares his excitement about presenting BE‑A at an upcoming Hospitality Tech Expo in London and his belief in combining human and robotic efforts to enhance customer service. The episode concludes with his leadership insights on the importance of adaptability, the value of having a visionary team, and his hopes for the future of hospitality.

Connect with Filip:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/filip-linek-flæ-robotics/

https://be-a.ai/

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In this episode of the Hospitality Mavericks podcast, host Michael engages with Jannes Sörensen, founder of Kepler Hotel Group and Kepler International Hospitality Academy.

They discuss how the Kepler brand aims to redefine luxury hospitality by focusing on guests' essential needs rather than mere wants.

Topics include the role of AI in hospitality, the importance of plant-based dining, and how businesses can serve as vehicles for positive societal change.

They also explore insights on self-leadership and the future landscape of hospitality in a rapidly evolving world. The episode underscores the timelessness of human needs and the transformative potential of conscious hospitality.

Connect with Jannes:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannessoerensen/

https://www.learnkepler.com/

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This episode delves into the topic of neurodiversity within the hospitality industry, particularly focusing on ADHD. Michael, alongside guest Gareth, explores how recognizing and accommodating neurodiversity can lead to better business outcomes, improved staff retention, unleashed innovation, and enhanced employee wellbeing. Gareth shares his personal journey from growing up in a hospitality family to experiencing burnout as a hospitality manager, eventually leading to his ADHD diagnosis. He discusses the impact of this diagnosis on his career and personal life, and the steps he has taken to adapt his work environment to his needs. The conversation highlights the importance of creating a workplace culture that is open, understanding, and supportive of neurodiverse employees. Gareth also shares his vision for a neurodiversity-friendly hospitality industry and offers advice for both neurodiverse individuals and leaders in the sector.

Connect with Gareth:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-p-rees/

https://www.instagram.com/adhospitalityd/

https://adhospitalityd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/attention-deficit-hospitality-disorder/posts/?feedView=all

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In this episode, the discussion centers around the significant impact of investing in frontline teams to enhance business performance in the hospitality industry. Geoffrey Toffetti shares their journey from modest beginnings to becoming a leader in optimizing sales through frontline engagement. The conversation covers building a people-first culture, the evolution from consulting to a SaaS model due to COVID-19, and the role of trust and leadership in fostering a productive environment. The episode highlights practical approaches to improve employee engagement, sales techniques, and the importance of consistent customer experiences. Insights into the potential of AI in enhancing operational efficiency and the future focus on integrating food and beverage services into the holistic revenue strategies for hospitality businesses are also discussed.

Connect with Geoffrey:

https://frontlinepg.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gtoffetti/

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In this episode, James Bates from QVO Hospitality shares the journey from the inception of his business in 2014 to its current status with multiple restaurant locations. Over nearly a decade, James and his team have navigated various challenges, including Brexit, COVID-19, and fluctuating economic conditions. Throughout their journey, they have utilized the EOS framework to systematize and scale their operations. The discussion delves into how the company maintains momentum and clarity in an industry fraught with difficulties, the importance of culture and values, and the strategic moves that have allowed them to expand. James also discusses their latest venture in Chester and offers insights into maintaining drive and ambition in the face of adversity. With stories of daily operations, challenges, and insights into their future plans, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what it takes to grow and sustain a hospitality business.

Connect with James:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-bates-b1128060/

https://www.instagram.com/jaymaray_/

[email protected]

www.maray.co.uk

www.buyers-club.co.uk

www.theoneoclockgun.pub

Book:

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8596/9781936661831

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy