A very different style of episode this week.  Rather than a detailed conversation with one awesome human of hospitality we have 9 great humans, most of whom have been previous guests.  And we have just one topic of conversation.  Why they are supporting the campaign for a Minister for Hospitality.

This campaign was launched by Claire Bosi but had been sat languishing at around 38k signatures on the government petition website.  To be debated in parliament 100k signatures are required.  Robin Hutson, CEO of Home Grown Hotels organised a call last week with over 100 very well connected hospitality professionals, and working with some of his graduate trainees as well as some well known faces of the hospitality sector such as Tom Kerridge and Angela Hartnett,  launched the ‘seat at the table’ campaign.  

These nine people, who between them employ tens of thousands of people, but represent an industry of millions, will give you their perspectives on why they want a better seat at the table.  Whilst recognising the great work that Kate Nichols and UK Hospitality have achieved, we’d like someone on the inside, as well as the outside of government.  I hope you’ll enjoy hearing their perspectives and I hope you will be motivated to visit www.seatatthetable.org.uk where you can find a link to the petition and support the other social media accounts around this campaign.

Whilst the petition has now exceeded 100k we want to significantly exceed this target to give every chance of this being successful and a senior minister, rather than token gesture being appointed. 

4 min 50 sec - Robin Hutson - CEO The Pig Hotel & Limewood Hotel Visit

12 min 20 sec - Simon Potts - CEO The Alchemist Visit

23 min 20 sec - Danny Pecorelli - MD Exclusive Collection Visit 

30 min 20 sec - Juliane Caillouette-Noble - Acting MD of Sustainable Restaurant Association Visit

38 min 50 sec - Sally Beck - GM Royal Lancaster London Visit

47 min 10 sec - Andrew Stembridge - Executive Director Iconic Luxury Hotels Visit 

56 min 20 sec - Robin Sheppard - President Bespoke Hotels Visit 

1hr 5 min 20 sec - Peter Ducker - Chief Executive Institute of Hospitality Visit 

1hr 5 min 25 sec - Gary Jones - Executive Head Chef - Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Visit