Employer:  Madhus

Total number of years spent within Hospitality?
16 years

What do you most enjoy about this industry?
The day to day challenges, it is not always easy, every day there is a new situation that presents itself, and I enjoy both the pressure and the challenge.

What does a typical day look like for you?
A busy morning, I get my little one ready for school, drop her off, then head to work. I always have to plan all of my duties in advance, including rotas. In order to work within a really busy environment, I have to be really organised and plan, it makes it far easier to manage the pressure. My day tends to be varied, and can include emails, contacting suppliers, checking invoices, and writing menus.

Tell us something we might not know about the sector?
I always tell young people, this industry is made for people who are willing to put in the hard work, and it requires commitment. You may miss someone’s birthday, anniversary, or a close relative functions, and so it can be difficult. Family life balance, is one of the difficult things to be maintained working within this industry, and so you really do need a supportive family.

What has been the single most important piece of advice given to you?
There are no short cuts in the hospitality industry, you really need to work hard to build skills, when you start to develop those skills, the respect will come. As a chef, you really need to learn your craft in the kitchen.

Three dinner guests of your choice?
Gordon Ramsay, Manmohan Singh, Michel Roux sr.

Last documentary watched and book read?
I tend to read cookery books, mostly centred around modern cuisines.

Finish the sentence, the future in hospitality is……
Challenging.