Host: Cassie Davison
Guest: Sam Pentecost, Founder & Owner of The Alpine Pizza Co

Episode Summary
In this episode of The Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast, Cassie sits down with Sam Pentecost, founder and owner of The Alpine Pizza Co, one of the leading pizza suppliers on the UK’s festival circuit. Sam’s journey takes us from construction sites to wedding catering and finally to some of the biggest festivals and events in the UK.

Sam shares how he transitioned from working in a demanding, high-pressure construction industry to building a thriving, complex hospitality business driven by his passion for food, people, and problem-solving. From logistics challenges to managing seasonal demand, Sam gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in mobile catering at scale.

Key Highlights

1. Sam’s Journey into Hospitality:

   • From juggling construction jobs and hospitality roles to starting Alpine Pizza Co in a converted horsebox in 2017.
   • How his love for hospitality’s social element pulled him back into the industry.
   • The big decision during COVID to go all-in and turn his side hustle into a full-time business.

2. The Challenges of Large-Scale Mobile Catering:

   • Moving from small weddings to catering at major festivals like Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, and Winter Wonderland.
   • The complexities of logistics, staffing, and stock management in unpredictable environments.
   • Managing dough in extreme weather – from scorching summer festivals to freezing winter events.

3. Making Hospitality Sustainable Year-Round:

   • Tackling the seasonality of events and creating stability for staff.
   • The importance of building a strong, supportive team and transitioning staff to full-time roles.
   • How Alpine Pizza Co balances smaller weddings with high-volume events while targeting corporate catering opportunities.

4. Business Growth & Lessons Learned:

   • Sam’s reflections on the “dark days” of unexpected VAT bills and the game-changing decision to hire a business coach.
   • The importance of problem-solving and delegation in growing a complex business.
   • Why focusing on the events they enjoy and that deliver ROI is now a core strategy for the future.

Memorable Quote
"If money is your only driver, hospitality isn’t for you. You’ve got to love it. If I didn’t enjoy this, I wouldn’t do it – because hospitality is all about people, energy, and problem-solving." – Sam Pentecost

Connect with Sam Pentecost & Alpine Pizza Co

• Instagram: @TheAlpinePizzaCo
• Website: www.thealpinepizzaco.com
• Email: sam@thealpinepizzaco.com

Host: Cassie Davison
Guest: Lauren McCormick, General Manager, Omi Bar, Leicester

Episode Summary
In this deeply inspiring episode of The Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast, Cassie sits down with Lauren McCormick, General Manager at Omi Bar, Leicester, and finalist for General Manager of the Year at the Kith & Kin Hospitality Awards.

Lauren’s remarkable story takes her from living on the streets and in supported accommodation to building a thriving career in hospitality. She shares how the industry became her “real-life therapy,” providing purpose, belonging, and the opportunity to make a difference to others’ lives.

Key Highlights

1. From Survival to Success:

   • How Lauren overcame a difficult start, living on the streets and supported accommodation, to begin her hospitality career at 16 as a glass collector.
   • Rising step-by-step through the industry: from bar staff to supervisor and now General Manager of Omi Bar.

2. The Power of Hospitality:

   • How hospitality became an extension of family and a place of belonging during challenging times.
   • Why creating a welcoming, compassionate environment for guests and team members is central to Lauren’s approach.

3. Career Challenges & Lessons Learned:

   • Managing the transition from peer to leader and the pitfalls of hiring friends.
   • The importance of internal team relationships for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

4. Lauren’s Vision for the Future:

   • Her dream of opening a late-night venue and breathing new life into UK nightlife.
   • Plans to relocate to London to further develop her experience and career in the big city.

Memorable Quote
"Hospitality gave me a family when I didn’t have one. It’s not just a job – it’s a place where we can make someone’s day better, no matter what they’re going through." – Lauren McCormick

Connect with Lauren McCormick

• LinkedIn: Lauren McCormick
• Email: laurenmc98@outlook.com

📺 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube 🎥:
Watch here on the Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast Channel

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🎙️ Kith & Kin Podcast: Stories from the Hospitality Industry

Host: Cassie Davison
Guest: David Hage, Co-Founder of the Secret Pub Company

In this episode, Cassie is joined by David Hage, one half of the dynamic duo behind the award-winning Secret Pub Company. David shares his 30-year journey through the hospitality industry, from his early days in health clubs and working for giants like David Lloyd and Nando's to co-founding a successful group of four premium gastro pubs across Nottinghamshire.

David’s story highlights the balance between big business discipline and independent creativity, revealing the hard work, tough decisions, and passion it takes to succeed in the ever-challenging hospitality industry.

🏆 From winning Licensee of the Year 2019 to navigating the turbulence of COVID-19, David discusses the highs and lows of running pubs, the importance of a great team, and his exciting plans for the future, including accommodation and diverse events.

• The Early Days: How David transitioned from health clubs into hospitality.
• The Secret Pub Company: Why it’s called “secret” and how it all began.
• Award-Winning Success: Winning Licensee of the Year 2019 and the grueling process behind it.
• Surviving COVID-19: The challenges of running pubs through the pandemic and beyond.
• The Reality of Hospitality: Rising costs, staff retention, and the continued pressures on pubs.
• Future Vision: Plans for events, weddings, and introducing B&B-style accommodation.

Visit David and the team at their four award-winning Nottinghamshire pubs:

1. The Railway – Loudham
2. The Radcliffe – Radcliffe-on-Trent
3. The Plough – Normanton on the Wolds
4. The Lambley – Lambley

🔎 Find out more: Search for the Secret Pub Company on Google or visit their locations for a fantastic experience.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hage-fbii-64b8552a/
• Website: https://railwaylowdham.co.uk/

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
Immerse yourself in David’s inspiring journey and discover what it really takes to create successful, customer-focused pubs.

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More from the Kith & Kin Podcast:
📍 Real stories from hospitality professionals
🎯 Insights, challenges, and opportunities in the industry
💡 Tips to thrive in hospitality

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📝 Want to grow your hospitality business?
Check out Cassie’s Hospitality Made Easy Masterclass for strategies to connect with purpose, engage your team, and increase your profits.