In this second episode with Paulo de Tarso, we go deeper into what it really takes to build and sustain a culture of excellence in hospitality. Paulo shares his philosophy on team care - why feeding your staff well, training them thoroughly, and leading with empathy aren't just nice ideas, but the foundations of a great restaurant.

We explore the realities of opening a restaurant, how to maintain high standards without creating a culture of fear, and why mistakes should be treated as moments for learning rather than failure. Paulo reflects on the role of mentorship and observation in developing people, and how the best service moments come not from rigid process but from genuine human connection.

Warm, honest and full of hard won wisdom, this conversation is a reminder that hospitality at its heart is about people looking after people.

In this premiere episode we sit with Paulo de Tarso, a distinguished hospitality leader whose journey spans continents and iconic restaurants. We trace how his early start in New York and Los Angeles shaped his passion for hospitality, what the role of a maître d’ really involves – from welcoming guests and managing front-of-house teams to creating memorable service moments – and how that skillset propelled him into London’s fine-dining scene. Paulo reflects on key moments at The Wolseley, Scott’s Mayfair and Bar Boulud, where he worked with names like Daniel Boulud and built a reputation that would define his approach to service excellence.

We planned to open with a “what this podcast is about” intro. Then we sat down with Bruce Isaacs and changed our minds. Bruce has lived four decades of UK hospitality - starting before casual dining existed, converting pubs into all-day brasseries, co-founding Ed’s Easy Diner, and later diving into learning tech and AI. The stories are huge, the lessons are practical, and the energy is pure Bruce! This is an operator’s masterclass disguised as a conversation.

Produced by Elliott Mckay.

Recorded at 21 Soho.