Guests: Emma Sharma, Meghan Ellis Smith, Fernando Odio, Chelsy Rafael, Isabelle White – aka Team Zenith

Host: Phil Street

What’s Inside:

• The Edge Hotel School students who beat the Swiss at their own game
• From cruise ship dreams to CEO goals
• The EM Cup – Europe’s most competitive hospitality battle
• Public speaking disasters, bonding breakthroughs, and backstage mind games
• How Team Zenith went from forgotten intro to unforgettable champions
• A story of belief, banana-shaped confidence curves, and near-chokehold celebrations

Topics Covered:

• How each student found their way to hospitality (spoiler: not one dull route)
• Why public humiliation at a student conference was actually a blessing
• What it takes to pitch to 500 people and survive a Dragon’s Den Q&A
• The intense selection process (TikToks, debates, interviews – they did it all)
• The Triangle Hands legend and branding brilliance of Team Zenith
• Why realistic ideas beat Swiss-level fantasy pitches

Highlight Moments:

• “Alex said if we didn’t win, he’d quit his job.”
• “We told the other teams we had no idea what we were doing. Classic mind games.”
• “I said we were going to win… but I completely forgot my lines!”
• “Winning felt amazing. Nearly died from a celebratory hug, but amazing.”

A massive thank you to the Edge Hotel School (And previous guest Adrian Martin) for setting this up. Hospitality Meets sends heartfelt congratulations to Team Zenith for this extraordinary achievement

Enjoy!

Episode Summary:

In this lively and insightful episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the incredible Bernadette Gilligan, General Manager of Conrad London St. James. From humble beginnings in hospitality to leading one of Hilton’s most prestigious luxury hotels, Bernadette shares her journey with humour, wisdom, and a few unexpected twists along the way.

Expect career-defining moments, leadership insights, and a deep dive into the camaraderie that makes hospitality such a unique industry. Plus, find out why she turned down The Ritz, what it’s like to host Ed Sheeran’s afterparty, and how she once had to evacuate an entire hotel in the middle of a crisis!

Key Takeaways:

• The Hospitality Bug Starts Early – Bernadette's love for hotels began at just six years old, inspired by her father’s work in the industry.
• Lessons from a Hairdressing Salon – Her mother’s business taught her the importance of customer service, loyalty, and front-of-house charisma.
• Leadership & Crisis Management – The day the power went out at Hilton Manchester Deansgate, and how teamwork saved the day.
• The Power of Camaraderie in Hospitality – How competition takes a backseat when the industry comes together.
• Hosting Icons & Learning from the Best – From Ed Sheeran’s afterparty to rubbing shoulders with football legends.
• Hospitality as a Career Choice – Why it’s an industry full of opportunity for those with passion and drive.

Memorable Quotes:

"Sometimes you're not there for the job—you’re there for something else. You just might not know it yet."

"I grabbed my lipstick, two phones, and my keys—and that was the last time I saw my office for two days."

"We all try to grasp control of our destiny, but stuff happens. You just have to roll with it."

"Hospitality allows you to build a serious career while having an awful lot of fun."

Connect with Us:

Like what you hear? Subscribe to Hospitality Meets for more inspiring stories from industry leaders!

Final Thoughts:

Bernadette’s story is a testament to the power of determination, adaptability, and the human connection that makes hospitality truly special. Whether you’re in the industry or just love a great career story, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a reminder that hospitality is more than just a job—it’s a way of life.

The Guest

General Manager at Conrad London St. James, Bernadette has worked for Hilton since 1990 (2-year break ’95-’97) and has always been based in UK. Her first General Manager role was at Hilton York in 2001. Her favourite assignments have been opening Hilton Manchester Deansgate as the General Manager in 2006 (Her hometown) and turning around the fortunes of the newly opened Hilton London Wembley in 2014. Bernadette feels she has been very fortunate in her career as hospitality offered her so many growth opportunities. It is truly a fantastic industry to be part of.

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to

In this lively and laugh-filled episode of Hospitality Meets, I sat down with John Herity, Club Operations Manager at The Caledonian Club in London. From his accidental start in hospitality to tales of Burns Night feasts and Scottish banter, John's journey is a testament to adaptability, tradition, and keeping your cool in high-pressure situations.

Expect stories of butlering for the elite, dodging dodgy chicken, and navigating the world of private members' clubs with a mix of humour and hard-earned wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to thrive in hospitality while keeping the fun alive, this episode is for you!

The Accidental Career: How John found his way into hospitality (spoiler: it involved a necessity rather than a plan!)

Banter & Burns Nights: Running a Scottish institution in London, plus a deep dive into the economics of haggis

The Art of Adaptability: Lessons from private clubs, corporate dining, and high-end butlering

Crisis Management: The time John refused to serve a risky chicken dish

Full Circle: From Glasgow to London, redundancy to return—why John keeps coming back to The Caledonian Club

✔️ Hospitality is everywhere – From banks to private clubs, the impact of great service goes far beyond restaurants and hotels.

✔️ Tradition matters – Whether it’s Burns Night or butler etiquette, preserving heritage can be good for business.

✔️ Details make the difference – From perfectly polished shoes to getting coffee service just right, hospitality is all about the little things.

✔️ Reputation is everything – Skills can be learned, but how you handle yourself (and your team) will define your career.

✔️ Stay adaptable – Whether it’s a vending machine mishap or a last-minute event flip, problem-solving is a hospitality superpower.

🗣️ “If you're about to invest £10 million and they can’t get the tea and coffee right, what does that say about the rest of the business?”

🗣️ “There's no such thing as just a waiter, just a barista, or just a tea and coffee service. That’s where business happens.”

🗣️ “I wasn’t about to serve that chicken and end up on the news. Not on my watch!”

🗣️ “Hospitality is the unsung hero of history. Deals, diplomacy, and celebrations all happen over food and drink.”

This episode is a masterclass in the art of hospitality—packed with humor, wisdom, and a healthy dose of Scottish charm. Don’t miss it!

🎧 Tune in now and let the storytelling begin!

The Guest

John Herity is the Club Operations Manager of the Caledonian Club in London

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-herity-cmdip-mih-275b58b5/

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to

Whilst out and about on my travels, I was introduced to today's guest by previous guest, powerhouse Rachel Thomson (Episode 176).

So it was great to sit down with Tim Hobern, the founder of Dovetail Bars, to talk about his wild and unexpected journey from bartender to bar owner to entrepreneur shaping London’s cocktail scene. From opening London’s smallest bar to launching a Leicester Square hotspot in just 72 sleepless hours, Tim shares the thrills, challenges, and lessons of building a hospitality business in a post-COVID world.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurial Agility – Tim’s journey is a masterclass in spotting opportunities and adapting quickly. (Spoiler: "Pivot" is mentioned... reluctantly.)
• The Power of Saying Yes – How a residency deal turned into a rapidly growing bar brand.
• Future-Proofing Your Business – Why Tim doubled down on a second location early on.
• The Art of Customer Experience – From London’s tiniest bar to a casino collaboration, making guests feel at home is everything.
• Handling Chaos Like a Pro – Lessons from opening a bar in three days, fighting fires (literally), and dealing with late-night Camden crowds.

Fun Moments:

• The creative way Tim once "gently" persuaded a rowdy crowd to leave his venue. (Hint: Music choices matter!)
• The time a neighbouring building caught fire, and Tim had to empty the bar’s safe and grab some beers… just in case.
• How opening a bar inside a casino required a surprising amount of explanation to customers.

Memorable Quotes from the episode:

“No one has ever had a fight with Britney Spears playing in the background.”

“Everything only ever makes sense in retrospect.”

“I called in every possible favour… and then we had a three-day turnaround to open a bar.”

“If you tell yourself this is going to be a chapter in the autobiography, you can push through the pain.”

“I’ve developed an almost religious relationship with coffee.”

“Most things are set up to be manageable—otherwise, businesses wouldn’t survive.”

“The best problem-solvers have just a tinge of arrogance—the refusal to accept there’s something they can’t do.”

“You can find ways to make people feel unwelcome without being unwelcoming.”

This chat is totally brimmed with lessons and stories and I hope you enjoy!

The Guest

Tim is a British/Australian Bar manager who's been working across London venues for the past 9 years. Since 2023, he's been the owner of Dovetail Bars Ltd, a company that operates bar residencies for venues that have difficulty executing bar concepts in a post-Covid and Brexit space.

https://dovetailbars.co.uk/

Instagram - @dovetailbars

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

This weeks episode of Hospitality Meets is a rollercoaster of inspiration, resilience, and comedy, featuring the incredible journey of Rizwan Khan, General Manager at Junsei. From his accidental dive into hospitality to becoming one of the youngest GMs in Mayfair, Rizwan shares stories of perseverance, leadership, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way.

Key Takeaways:

Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint – Rizwan views hospitality as a never-ending relay race where each generation passes the torch to the next. His mission? To keep running and inspire others to do the same.

Diamonds Are Made Under Pressure – Whether it was stepping up in high-stakes competitions or managing a restaurant at 21, Rizwan thrives when challenged.

Valentine’s Day Disaster – A first date gone wrong as a lady arrives late.

A Career Defining Moment – When a guest had a medical emergency, Rizwan broke the rules (and possibly speed limits) to get her to a hospital with lessons and payoff galore!

COVID: Life’s Reset Button – After losing his job during the pandemic, Rizwan considered switching to IT but realised his true passion was in hospitality. His takeaway? "If I can inspire others to push forward, then I’ll be the torch to light the way."

Memorable One-Liners:

• "Life isn’t something that can be explained—by the time you try, you’re out of time."
• "The hospitality industry is one big marathon; we just keep passing the torch."
• "I’ve slept enough for the last eight months—time to get moving!"
• "Everything you want is on the other side of fear."
• "Hospitality pays you to learn food and beverage knowledge—what other industry does that?"

Rizwan is an excellent guest and another insight into the career potential of this amazing sector.

Enjoy!

The Guest

Rizwan Khan is the General Manager of Junsei, a traditional Yakitori restaurant in London.

Website - https://junsei.co.uk/ldn/

Instagram (Rizwan) - https://www.instagram.com/rizwan_k_98/

Instagram (Restaurant) - https://www.instagram.com/junsei_uk/

LinkedIn (Rizwan) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rizwan-khan-mih-5742a9140/

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

Welcome back to Hospitality Meets, where we dive into the stories behind the people who keep the hospitality world buzzing! 🍻

In this episode, Phil sits down with Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (https://beerandpub.com/) and all-around pub enthusiast. We chat about:

🍺 Why the pub is the heart of every community (and why you should probably visit yours more).

🏛️ Emma’s whirlwind journey from studying law to being elected the youngest UK MEP (via a chance encounter in a pub—naturally).

💰 The challenges facing pubs today (spoiler: it involves taxes, regulations, and a lot of lobbying).

🎉 Why hospitality isn’t just an industry

🏉 A little rugby, a little politics, and a whole lot of passion for beer.

Emma also reveals the hilarious moment she made King Charles laugh during her OBE ceremony, and we discuss whether more business ideas should be born on the back of beer mats.

So, grab a pint, settle in, and prepare to be both informed and entertained. Cheers! 🍻

The Guest

Emma is Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association. Chair of World Brewing Alliance. Trustee Only a Pavement Away. NED Ivors Academy & Hampshire Cricket. Also a Former politician MEP for 10 years.

Instagram BBPA - https://www.instagram.com/beerandpub/

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

Ever wondered how a dishwasher at age 10 ends up running the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts? Well, Lisa Jenkins (CEO of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts) is here to spill the tea (and maybe a few kitchen secrets).

We get through a lot and I chat with Lisa about:

🍽️ Why hospitality careers are more than just chefs & managers (yes, journalists count too!)

✈️ How working too hard at the Singapore Air Show got her a business-class flight home (note: not a recommended career strategy)

💡 The power of saying yes to opportunity… even when you have no plan whatsoever

🤝 Why relationships in hospitality are more valuable than a Michelin star

🚀 How she went from publishing flight magazines to fine dining journalism – and finally, the big boss chair at RACA

Lisa’s journey is proof that career paths are never linear—sometimes they come with unexpected detours, high-flying perks, and a whole lot of laughs.

🎧 Tune in now! Guaranteed to make you rethink your career… or at least consider faking shin splints for an upgrade. 😉

The Guest

Lisa Jenkins is the chief executive officer for The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), the UK’s leading professional membership association of head chefs, head pastry chefs, restaurant managers and associates. RACA provides education, inspiration, and aspiration through a variety of channels including the RACA apprenticeship programme, the Annual Awards of Excellence, the Adopt A School charity and the four-yearly Master of Culinary Arts competition.

RACA supports young people, colleges, and educational institutions by providing programmes through its extensive network of academician members and industry contacts while raising the standards and awareness of food, food provenance and sustainability, cooking and service.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jenkins-cfsp-58907144/

Instagram personal - @lisa_jenkins02

Instagram (RACA) - @royalacademyofculinaryarts

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil

In this entertaining and insightful episode, I joined David Cochrane, the CEO of HIT Scotland (https://hitscotland.co.uk/), who shares his incredible journey through the hospitality industry. From his early days as a chef (with a few kitchen disasters) to leading a transformative organisation, David offers a mix of heartfelt wisdom, career insights, and laugh-out-loud moments. The conversation covers the importance of hospitality education, the camaraderie of the industry, and some unforgettable antics—like a management team performing a "Full Monty" routine at a Christmas party!

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Hospitality: David highlights how hospitality is not just a job but a way of life, full of opportunities and unexpected adventures.
• Project Minerva: An exciting new initiative focused on immersive learning in unique venues, bringing global experts to the industry.
• The Joy of Giving Back: Through HIT Scotland, David has helped raise millions to fund scholarships and develop future leaders in hospitality.
• Fundraising Meets Fun: Whether it's climbing Kilimanjaro, hosting high-profile events, or pulling off outrageous stunts, David proves that raising money for a good cause doesn't have to be boring.
• The Community Spirit: The industry is built on relationships, and David emphasizes the importance of supporting each other, celebrating success, and having a laugh along the way.

Memorable Quotes:

• “I joke that Edinburgh doesn’t go to Glasgow for lunch, and Aberdeen doesn’t go to Venice for dinner, but every region has its unique charm.”
• “We put blue tack on the spyhole so no one could see us rehearsing... and then performed the Full Monty in front of 800 people.”
• "Out of adversity comes innovation—during COVID, we pivoted to online scholarships, helping over 3,600 people.”
• "Our industry is so professional now; the old stereotypes are well and truly outdated."
• “I keep getting told off for watching too much TikTok... but imagine the ‘Phil Monty’ routine making a comeback!”

David really does have the lightest touch and his journey is a non stop anecdotal delight.

Enjoy!

The Guest

David is the CEO of the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, HIT Scotland. We are a Scottish charity that organises a number of key industry events, raise a bit of money through fundraising, and then give out inspirational and bespoke scholarships to the emerging talent of the industry.

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil