Hospitality Meets with Phil Street (2025)

30/04/2025

🎙️ What does it take to win one of Europe’s most competitive student hospitality competitions?

Triangle hand signs.
A touch of chaos.
And possibly a lecturer who threatened to quit if his students didn’t win. (Yes, really.)

I took a break from my break (because why not?) to chat with five incredible students from Edge Hotel School at the University of Essex — aka Team Zenith — who didn’t just take part in the EM Cup…
They took over.

Before the win, though, came:
❌ Forgotten lines
❌ A shaky conference performance
❌ Being completely ignored at the welcome drinks
✅ A celebratory group hug so intense someone nearly passed out

What followed was a masterclass in resilience, branding, and boldness — all delivered with humour, humility, and just the right amount of organised chaos.

These five students brought choreography to a business pitch.
They created a team identity that couldn’t be copied.
They backed each other when things got wobbly — and left with the trophy.

Key takeaways?
– Mind games are absolutely fair game
– Public speaking builds character (and mild trauma)
– To win, bring your whole, wonderful, slightly chaotic self
– Also: definitely bring someone like an Alex

Here are just a few golden quotes from the episode:

🗣️ “I just thought it was a great reason for a LinkedIn post.” – Isabelle
🗣️ “I blanked… but I ended by saying, ‘We are going to win this competition.’” – Chelsy
🗣️ “I couldn’t breathe… but we were thrilled.” – Fernando
🗣️ “We may or may not have given the impression we had no idea what we were doing. Classic mind games.” – Emma
🗣️ “I performed in front of 500 people. It was a complete turnaround.” – Megan
🗣️ “You’re either geniuses or stupid — I don’t know.” – Me 🙃

This episode is funny, fast-paced, and full of the kind of energy that gives you real hope for the future of hospitality.

🎧 Listen now → https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod
Or search Hospitality Meets on your favourite podcast app.

19/03/2025

What do you get when you mix a six-year-old with a front desk, a love for hospitality, and a career spanning the UK's most iconic properties?

You get the unstoppable Bernadette Gilligan!

From cleaning hotel rooms at 14 to leading - Bernadette's journey is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode of Hospitality Meets (In partnership with ), she shares:

- The moment she almost joined The Ritz – and why she said no!
- Crisis management lessons from a real-life hotel power outage drama
- How she landed the NFL at Hilton Wembley (and finally learned the rules!)
- Why hospitality is the ultimate career playground—serious careers, serious fun!

Her passion for people, leadership, and hospitality shines through every story. If you're in the industry (or just love a good career journey), this episode is a must-listen!

🎧 Tune in now! - https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod

12/03/2025

Ever wondered how much haggis a famous Scottish Private Members club goes through in a season?

Try 60 kilos a week 😳

As it turns out, there's a serious business behind Scotland’s most famous dish and it might save your future Q1 performance.

In this week’s episode of Hospitality Meets (In partnership with Rotacloud), I sit down with John Herity Club Operations Manager at to talk all things haggis, heritage, and high expectations.

John’s career in hospitality is anything but ordinary. From an accidental start in the industry to butlering for top clients, managing private clubs, and ensuring the tea and coffee service doesn’t derail multi-million-pound deals, he’s seen it all.

Along the way, we get into:

- The power of tradition and why Burns Night is big business

- Left, Right and Ambidextrous Haggis

- The fine art of butlering and what it really takes to work at the top

- That time John refused to serve potentially lethal chicken

- The unsung role of hospitality in boardrooms, banks, and beyond

- A story involving high treason!

And we also take on the big questions: "How do you pluralise haggis?"

It’s a brilliant, laugh-filled chat with plenty of lessons for anyone in hospitality and plenty of laughs for everyone else.

Link to listen https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod and let me know: To Haggis? Or Not to Haggis?
(I've used the word haggis too many times in a post now)

05/03/2025

Episode 218 is live! in partnership with RotaCloud

Ever dreamed of owning a bar? Meet Tim Hobern, the founder of Dovetail Bars, who went from shaking cocktails to shaking up London’s bar scene. In this episode, Tim shares:

✅ How he built a bar empire (You'll hear why I used that word)
✅ Why adaptability is the #1 skill for entrepreneurs
✅ The insane story of launching a Leicester Square venue in just 72 hours
✅ The unexpected lessons of running bars in a post-COVID world
✅ How playing the right (or wrong, dependent on your perspective) music can get rid of the wrong crowd.

Packed with humour, stories and some quite wonderful insight, not to mention more than its fair share of behind-the-bar chaos, this episode is a must-listen for business minds and bar lovers alike!

📢 Listen now: https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod or on your favourite podcast app

Tag a friend who loves a good bar story!

⁠

26/02/2025

🎙️Episode 217 is Live in partnership with RotaCloud

If you’ve ever had a career crisis, doubted yourself, or just need a good laugh—this episode is for you!

I sat down with the unstoppable Rizwan Khan MIH, General Manager of Junsei. Rizwan went from wanting a career in IT to being one of the youngest Restaurant GMs in Mayfair. His story is full of twists, turns, and hilarious moments (including a first date fail so bad it belongs in a rom-com).

💡 Rizwan shares COVID made him rediscover his passion, why hospitality is the ultimate life teacher, and how a crisis led to one of the most heart warming moments of his career.

And of course, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—because what’s hospitality without a little chaos?

🎧 Tune in now! You won’t want to miss this one.

https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod or on your podcast app of choice.

19/02/2025

🚨 Episode 216 is Live!!!🚨in partnership with RotaCloud

Ever wondered what it takes to lead the charge for British pubs, champion an entire industry, and still have time to make a king laugh? 👑🍻

In this episode of Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street, I sat down with Emma McClarkin OBE, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, to talk about:

✅ Why pubs are the backbone of British communities.
✅ The biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry today.
✅ Emma’s fascinating journey from law school to European politics to leading the fight for pubs.
✅ How hospitality is more than just an industry
✅ The surprising way networking in a pub changed Emma’s life (and career).

If you care about the future of pubs, beer, and the people behind the industry, this episode is a must-listen!

🎧 Listen here: https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod or on your podcast app of choice!

12/02/2025

🚀 New Podcast Episode Alert! 🚀in partnership with RotaCloud

I was thrilled beyond words to get some time with CEO of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, Lisa Jenkins CFSP. Lisa's career has been a masterclass in saying YES to opportunity (even if that means ending up in a wheelchair at Singapore Airport).

In this episode, Lisa joins me to talk about:

✅ Why hospitality careers go far beyond the kitchen
✅ The power of relationships in shaping success
✅ How a last-minute career pivot turned her into a journalist
✅ The biggest myths about working in hospitality
✅ And yes… how overworking landed her a free business-class flight ✈️

If you want a career inspiration boost (and a few laughs), then this one’s definitely for you! 🎧👇

🔗 Listen here: https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod or on your favourite podcast app.

05/02/2025

🚨 NEW PODCAST EPISODE ALERT! 🚨in partnership with

🎤 This one has it all—career insights, belly laughs, and even a Full Monty performance (yes, really!).

Join me as I sat down with David Cochrane MBE, the charismatic mind behind HIT Scotland, who shares his hilarious and heart warming journey through hospitality. Expect wild fundraising stories, career wisdom, and a few unexpected Velcro-related incidents.

🔹 How do you convince senior execs to strip down for charity?
🔹 What happens when a financial officer leads a dance routine?
🔹 And why does hospitality remain one of the most exciting and rewarding industries out there?

📢 David is one of the most genuine, fun loving people I think I've ever met and If you love hospitality, comedy, and career inspiration, then this chat really has it all for you!

🎧 Listen now! https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod or on your podcast app of choice!

Enjoy!

29/01/2025

🚗⚡ New Episode Alert! ⚡🚗 in partnership with Rotacloud & Pact coffee

This week on Hospitality Meets, we’re plugging in (literally) with Jason Simpson, CEO of Raw Charging, to talk all things EVs, hospitality, and the future of travel. But don’t worry—it’s not just about cables and kilowatts. Here’s what’s in store:

🔋 EV Myths, Busted – No, you won’t get stranded in the wilderness. Yes, your hotel should have chargers by now.
🏎️ Ferraris vs. Teslas – Turns out, even supercars had to step up their game because EVs are that fast.
🏨 Hotels, Wake Up! – If your guests are “charging just down the road,” they’re also spending their money there. 💸
🛞 Jason’s Morocco Misadventure – That time he ran a luxury hotel with zero experience and nearly lost two stone doing it.
👔 Waistcoat Etiquette Fails – Phil’s tragic fashion realization that left us all rethinking our buttons.

If you think EV charging is boring, this episode will shock you. (See what we did there? ⚡)

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! And if you enjoy it, hit subscribe, leave a review, and tag that one friend who still thinks electric cars are a fad. 🚘🔌

🚀

24/01/2025

🚀 New Podcast Bonus Episode Alert🎙️in partnership with RotaCloud & Pact Coffee

And this one comes with a Bold Statement... Everyone should listen to this episode of the show

Here's why:-

Mind blowing Learning, Authentic emotion, Unbelievable power and Easy to take action.

All that and we fix politics as well.

It was humbling to sit down with the incredible Brant Menswar—a Rock Star-turned-motivational speaker, bestselling author of Black Sheep, and expert in discovering your "non-negotiable values." His journey to now will blow your mind 🤯

In this heartfelt and powerful conversation, Brant opens up about:

✨ The life-changing impact of identifying and living by your non-negotiable values.
🎸 His inspiring journey of reinvention—from corporate executive to musician to world-renowned speaker.
📖 Insights from his new book, Designing Momentum, and how to turn everyday moments into catalysts for growth.

Brant’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to rise above adversity, redefine success, and build a legacy rooted in authenticity and purpose. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, overcoming challenges, or seeking clarity on your "why" and "what" this episode is packed with actionable wisdom.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Brant’s incredible journey and learn how to unlock the extraordinary, awe-inspiring, undiscovered YOU.

👉 https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod or on your podcast app of choice

💡 What’s one non-negotiable value you live by? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

22/01/2025

🔊🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️🔊 - in partnership with and

Ever wondered what happens when you mix world adventures, cups of coffee excellence, and hilarious life-saving encounters? Meet Will Corby, our latest guest on Hospitality Meets, who brings fresh coffee to a whole new level ☕✨

From nailing the UK Barista Championships (and some epic mess-ups involving dry ice), to dodging gangsters in San Salvador, Will's journey in the coffee universe is anything but ordinary! 😱🔥

Join us for a laugh, a lesson or two, and a deep dive into what makes the perfect cup and so much more! 📈

Listen on your favourite podcast or quick link here https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod

17/01/2025

Another cheeky Friday Bonus for you in partnership with RotaCloud and Pact Coffee

🚀 Thrilled to share my recent chat with Clare Downes, executive coach extraordinaire.

We delved into a myriad of insights about coaching, leadership, and navigating business challenges as well as her own journey into coaching.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways
The Role and Impact of Coaching: Clare elaborates on what coaching involves and its significance. Coaching is described as providing support, a trusted confidential thought partner, and sometimes challenging leaders such as CEOs and other senior executives.

Navigating Leadership Transitions: Stepping into leadership roles, especially for the first time, can be daunting. Coaching provides valuable support, helping leaders to reflect, challenge themselves, and adapt effectively.

The Power of Asking Questions: Effective coaching isn’t about giving answers but rather asking the right questions. This approach empowers leaders to find their own solutions and fosters deeper self-awareness and growth.

A huge thank you to Clare, she gives us all a mountain of insight through this chat and it was a total pleasure discussing how coaching can make a significant impact on personal and professional development.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode here: https://linktr.ee/hospmeetspod

Hospitality Meets with Phil Street

30/04/2025

19/03/2025

12/03/2025

05/03/2025

26/02/2025

19/02/2025

12/02/2025

05/02/2025

29/01/2025

24/01/2025

22/01/2025

17/01/2025

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