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About The Podcast

Every Voice Can Shape The Future.

That’s the ethos behind Talking Hospitality, the podcast that’s all about sparking meaningful conversations, sharing fresh insights, and championing solutions that help the hospitality industry thrive.

This podcast is your go-to for inspiration, practical advice, and stories from those making waves in the industry. 

Our Mission

At Talking Hospitality, our mission is simple: to empower hospitality leaders to tackle challenges head-on and create a better future for our industry. We believe that through open dialogue, shared experiences, and a bit of good humour, we can inspire change, challenge outdated thinking, and celebrate the diversity that makes hospitality so dynamic.

From the kitchen to the boardroom, we’re here to shine a light on the real stories, real struggles, and real solutions shaping the sector today.

What We’re About

Fresh Perspectives

The hospitality industry is ever-changing, and keeping up can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Talking Hospitality is your regular dose of insights and innovations, covering everything from mental health and sustainability to recruitment strategies and the latest tech trends.

No fluff, no jargon—just real talk that you can put into action.

Tackling Big Issues

The sector faces its fair share of challenges, and we don't gloss over them. Nor are we a whinge fest either.

Instead, we dig deep into the issues that matter most: How do we support the mental health of our teams? What’s the real impact of sustainability initiatives? How can we tackle the recruitment crisis with fresh, practical ideas?

If it’s worth discussing, it’s on the table.

Solutions-Driven

It’s easy to talk about problems, but we’re all about solutions. Every guest brings their own expertise and actionable advice, so you leave each episode not just informed, but inspired to make a difference in your workplace.

Why ‘Every Voice Can Shape The Future’?

Hospitality thrives on collaboration. Whether it’s front-of-house staff, executive chefs, or corporate leaders, every voice matters. Our podcast is a platform for those voices—sharing stories, ideas, and strategies to create an industry that works for everyone. It’s not about who shouts the loudest; it’s about listening, learning, and leading together.

Why Tune In?

If you’re a hospitality leader juggling busy schedules, Talking Hospitality is designed with you in mind. Episodes are short enough to fit into your day but packed with actionable insights to make your work life better. Expect candid discussions, expert guests, and the occasional laugh as we navigate the ups and downs of this incredible industry.

The Journey So Far

Launched during the height of the pandemic, Talking Hospitality began as a way to connect and support professionals during an unprecedented time of change. Since then, it’s evolved into a trusted platform for industry leaders, with thousands of listeners from around the world tuning in for advice, inspiration, and solidarity.

From deep dives into mental health to dissecting Gen Z’s role in the workforce, we’ve tackled it all—with plenty more to come.

How You Can Support Us

Passionate about what we do? You can help keep Talking Hospitality running by:

Your support helps us continue creating valuable content for the hospitality community.


Join the Conversation

Talking Hospitality is more than just a podcast—it’s a movement. Together, we can shape the future of hospitality, one conversation at a time. Hit play, subscribe, and share with your colleagues. Let’s make our industry the best it can be.

Find us on all major platforms or dive into our latest blogs for even more insights.


Talking Hospitality: Real stories. Fresh ideas. Big solutions.

 

About the Hosts

Timothy R Andrews Profile Photo

Timothy R Andrews

Host of Talking Hospitality | Head of Talent, Jumeirah London

(Host, 2020– ) Timothy R. Andrews has spent over two decades in hospitality, beginning by collecting glasses in bars and steadily working his way up. After founding and leading a successful recruitment and training business for luxury, 4-star, and 5-star markets for 16 years, Timothy now serves as Head of Talent for Jumeirah Hotels London, focusing on team-building at Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes. His role includes creating recruitment pipelines and developing comprehensive training programs, which have helped reduce vacancies by 63% and brought turnover down from 85% to 32%. He’s also championed initiatives from apprenticeship programmes to staff wellness days, keeping growth and well-being front and centre.

Beyond Jumeirah, Timothy hosts Talking Hospitality, a podcast known for its direct approach to industry issues and practical advice. Each episode tackles real challenges in hospitality today, with guest experts who offer solutions that can be put into action. Through Educating Hospitality, he also provides carefully selected industry-specific training courses that align with podcast topics, helping listeners stay up-to-date and gain practical skills.

Timothy’s work extends into community initiatives as well, including his impactful efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. From guiding them through the complexities of life in the UK to securing jobs, accommodations, and essential services, Timothy’s dedication reflects a belief that hospitality extends beyond the workplace.

Whether listeners want to stay updated on industry trend… Read More

Tracey Rashid Profile Photo

Tracey Rashid

Host of Talking Hospitality | Entrepreneur | Cake Artist

(Host 2023 - )

Tracey Rashid, the founder of Essence of Cake and Essence of Teams, is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in both the culinary and corporate worlds.

Professional Background: Before venturing into the cake world, Tracey Rashid worked in a corporate environment for nearly 20 years. Her experience spans across various large organizations such as BMW, Transport for London, Aon, and Cable & Wireless Plc. In these roles, she excelled as a Trainer, Facilitator, and People Capability Manager.

Transition to Culinary Entrepreneurship: Tracey's passion for baking led her to professionally delve into the cake world about seven years ago. She is the owner, baker, and cake designer at Essence of Cake, where she combines her love for culinary arts with her expertise in training and facilitation.

Essence of Teams: Recognizing a unique opportunity to blend her corporate experience with her culinary skills, Tracey founded Essence of Teams. This venture was inspired by her desire to break the mold in traditional team building, offering something different and unique. Essence of Teams focuses on creating bespoke team-building experiences, leveraging Tracey's expertise in both the corporate and culinary sectors.

Awards and Recognition: Under Tracey's leadership, her team-building events won an award in 2021 for Excellence in Team Building. This accolade is a testament to her innovative approach and commitment to excellence in both her entrepreneurial ventures.

Current Endeavors: As a founder, … Read More

Joe McDonnell MIH Profile Photo

Joe McDonnell MIH

Host | Company Director | 200 Hospitality

(Co-host 2024 -)

Combining a relentless drive to improve the hospitality industry through his consultancy 200Hospitality, Joe McDonnell is a force for positive change.

As a hospitality consultant specialising in growth strategies, systems, and business development, Joe has seen first-hand how a focus on people, purpose, and profit can elevate every aspect of a hospitality environment.

Following on from his successful guest appearance on Talking Hospitality, Joe now takes the reins as co-host, determined to grow the platform for industry leaders to share insights, drive innovation, and reshape the hospitality landscape.

With his sharp business acumen and a heartfelt commitment to the people powering the industry, Joe McDonnell embodies the values Talking Hospitality stands for.

He will be joining for season 5 but you'll be able to see him before then on our Instagram as he gets down and dirty with Hospitality professionals and experts, asking them about the industry.

Get ready for insightful conversations, actionable solutions, and a healthy dose of inspiration as Joe educates and redefines what it means to be in hospitality.

Sarah Kettel Profile Photo

Sarah Kettel

Host of Talking Hospitality | Culinary Innovator | Author

(Host 2020-24)

Sarah Kettel has been actively working in the hospitality industry for the last ten years. Her experience is diverse, encompassing roles in outdoor catering, front of house, back of house, and delivery cloud kitchens. This breadth of experience underlines her deep understanding and passion for the hospitality sector.

In 2020, Sarah embarked on further education, studying for a foundation degree in Culinary Arts at Westminster Kingsway College. She also expanded her studies into sustainability (Food System Transformation at the University of Copenhagen) and AI for deployment (DeepLearning.ai and Oxford Said Business School starting February 2022). Her commitment to education reflects her dedication to continuous learning and staying at the forefront of culinary innovation.

Sarah is working to merge her love of food with her interest in technology. She aims to influence positive change in the hospitality industry by integrating culinary arts with advancements in sustainability and AI.

Alongside Timothy R Andrews, Sarah co-created the podcast "Timothy Put The Kettel On," a platform to share stories and celebrate the resilience and ingenuity found in the hospitality industry. She rejoins in season 4 as part of the rebranded "Talking Hospitality" podcast, and brings her knowledge, enthusiasm to the show, sharing insights and experiences from the hospitality world.

Notable Contributions and Achievements:

Mentoring in The Tooting Street Food Challenge; Sarah mentored a winning team of young peop… Read More