How to make a PROFIT

Make your menu work for you.

Key points covered:

• What percentage should you be spending on food and labour to ensure your dishes are turning a profit.
• Menu design psychology – where to position you highest profit items to encourage your customers to order them over anything else.
• Upsell, upsell, upsell! Training your team to see the upsell opportunities with every order.

If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to follow us on Linked In and Instagram:

Insta: @simply_hospitality_the_podcast

Linked In: linkedin.com/company/simply-hospitality

In this episode we unpack the powerful idea that anticipating your guests’ needs is the ultimate luxury. Great hospitality isn’t reactive — it’s proactive. From noticing empty glasses to preparing for dietary needs before they're raised, anticipation transforms service into something exceptional.

We share real-life examples and practical tips for training your team to anticipate guest needs, create seamless experiences, and boost both customer satisfaction and spend.

Key Takeaways:

• Why anticipation = luxury in the customer’s mind

• How to create a “Table Watch” culture on the floor

• Specific things to look for that signal guest needs

• Quick wins: body language, glass levels, plate positioning

• Empowering your team to act before being asked

• Training ideas to sharpen awareness

If you found this episode useful, don’t forget to subscribe to our socials so that you never miss an episode!

Insta: @simply_hospitality_the_podcast

Linked In: linkedin.com/company/simply-hospitality

In this episode of Simply Hospitality, hosts Lucy and Ruth sit down with Daniel Leite from FareShare, the UK’s leading charity fighting hunger and food waste. Together, they dive into the staggering reality of food waste in the UK and how FareShare is redistributing surplus food to frontline charities and community groups.

• Inspiring stories from the field that highlight the impact of FareShare’s work

• Insights into how FareShare collaborates with food businesses to rescue surplus food

• Practical tips on what we can all do in our daily lives to reduce food waste

Whether you're passionate about sustainability, curious about the food system, or just want to be part of the solution, this episode is a must-listen.

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to like and subscribe on our socials:

Insta: simply_hospitality_the_podcast and Linked In: linkedin.com/company/simply-hospitality

In this engaging podcast episode, Lucy & Ruth interview Ashley from Clear Brew, a company specializing in beer line hygiene and cellar management. They discuss the importance of maintaining clean beer lines to enhance the quality of your pint, the common mistakes made in cellar management, and the unique services offered by Clear Brew. Ashley shares insights from his experience in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the financial benefits of outsourcing beer line cleaning and the challenges faced in the current market. The conversation also touches on hygiene horror stories and the importance of proper training.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Trade Show Insights

02:59 The Birth and Growth of Clear Brew

06:02 Understanding Beer Line Hygiene

09:03 Common Mistakes in Cellar Management

12:01 The Importance of Beer Quality

15:13 Market Challenges and Customer Education

17:58 Hygiene Horror Stories and Lessons Learned

20:59 Clear Brew's Unique Selling Proposition

23:51 Conclusion and How to Get in Touch

If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to like and subscribe on our socials:

Insta: simply_hospitality_the_podcast and Linked In: linkedin.com/company/simply-hospitality

Simply Hospitality Podcast

If you’re a chef who’s ever considered becoming a Food Inspector, this episode is packed with the information you need. We’re joined by three fantastic guests to explore what the career path looks like and how you can take the first steps.

First, we speak with Iain Ferris, Lecturer in Food Safety, Food Standards, and Food Law at the University of Birmingham. Iain shares insights about the course he offers for those wanting to become Food Inspectors, including entry requirements, course content, and costs.

Next, we’re joined by Chloe Goodship, a Food Regulatory Officer and former chef. Chloe completed the Birmingham course and talks to us about her experience both studying and transitioning into her role as a Food Inspector, a career she has now been in for nearly two years.

Finally, Jon Buttolph, Executive Director at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), joins us to explain the wider opportunities available in Environmental Health careers.

If you're interested in learning more about courses and careers in Environmental Health, visit the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website: www.cieh.org.

In this episode of Simply Hospitality, we sit down with Hannah Youell to discuss the importance of employee wellbeing and inclusivity in the hospitality industry.

What We Cover:

🔹 Hannah’s Journey – What led her to focus on wellbeing and inclusivity in the workplace.
🔹 Defining Wellbeing & Inclusivity – How these concepts apply in hospitality and why they matter.
🔹 Common Barriers – The challenges small businesses face when trying to implement effective wellbeing initiatives.
🔹 Practical Tips – Actionable steps for restaurants and food businesses to create a supportive and inclusive work environment.
🔹 Measuring Success – How to track and assess the impact of wellbeing efforts.

Tune in for valuable insights and practical advice to help make hospitality a better place to work! 🎙️✨

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny Bishop from Nice Group, who shares top marketing tips for restaurant owners looking to build their brand and attract more customers.

What We Cover:

• Marketing Basics – The simplest, most achievable first steps for branding your restaurant
• Low-Cost, High-Impact Strategies – Smart marketing ideas that don’t require a big budget
• Social Media Mistakes – What restaurants often get wrong & how to fix it
• Food Influencer Collaborations – Tips for getting noticed in the right circles
• Engaging Your Local Community – Building a loyal customer base through storytelling
• Handling Negative Reviews – The right way to respond to bad press
• Future Trends – What’s next in food marketing & how to stay ahead

🎧 Tune in now and get expert insights to level up your restaurant’s marketing in 2025!

📲 Follow & Subscribe to Simply Hospitality across the Social Platforms for more hospitality insights.

New FSA Allergen Guidance 

In this episode of Simply Hospitality, we discuss the NEW Food Standards Agency's (FSA) updated guidance on providing allergen information, issued on 5th March 2025. This guidance aims to support food businesses in effectively communicating allergen information to consumers, particularly those with food hypersensitivities.

Key Discussion Points:

• Overview of the Updated Guidance: The FSA's best practice guidance emphasizes the importance of providing written allergen information for non-prepacked foods, such as meals in restaurants, cafés, and takeaways. This written information should be accompanied by a conversation between staff and customers about allergen requirements. 
• Best Practices for Providing Allergen Information: The guidance includes recommendations such as:
• Ensuring written allergen information is always available for non-prepacked food.
• Encouraging staff to engage in conversations with customers about their allergen requirements.
• Voluntary 'Free From' Claims: The guidance addresses the use of voluntary information, such as 'free from' claims, and emphasizes the importance of clarity to avoid consumer confusion. For example, if a dish is labeled 'peanut free,' it must be ensured that the dish does not contain peanuts and cross-contamination is prevented. 
• Staff Training and Communication: Effective communication between staff and consumers is crucial. The guidance recommends that all staff receive training on allergens and food hypersensitivity to appreciate the potential consequences of providing incorrect information, which could be life-threatening. 
• Resources:

• FSA's Updated Allergen Guidance: For detailed information, access the full guidance on the FSA website: Allergen Information for Non-Prepacked Foods Best Practice: Summary | Food Standards Agency

This week on Simply Hospitality, we welcome back Emily Capps, Ruth’s Glastonbury EHO buddy, this time she is sharing her expertise in waste management, to discuss the UK's new Simpler Recycling scheme. These changes introduce new waste regulations that businesses need to be aware of.

If your company has ten or more employees, this episode is essential listening to ensure you meet your legal requirements. Plus, you'll gain fascinating insights into food waste that might surprise you!

Tune in for an informative discussion on how these regulatory changes impact the hospitality industry and what steps you can take to stay compliant.

In this bitesize episode we delve into the unglamourous details that every start up needs to think about, including:

- Kitchen planning: walls, floors and ceilings: is it durable and cleanable? Do you have a wash hand basin and have you thought about your potwash set up?

- Do you have the right equipment, lighting and electricity supply?

- Think about pest proofing, deep cleaning and extraction systems.

- Get yourself registered as a food business 28 days before you open.

- STAFF TRAINING! Food hygiene and people management go hand in hand so invest in both and you'll be off to a strong start :)

And oodles more about looking after your people from the lovely Lucy.

Enjoy and follow us on social media if you like what you hear!

Instagram: @simply_hospitality_the_podcast