This National Hospitality Day, we’re celebrating the industry by chatting to our wonderful recruitment staff, who started their careers working in hospitality before moving to hire staff in their stead.
Joanna Killip, Back-of-House Divisional Manager, started her career in hospitality at 16. Over 18 years, she worked her way up to a Senior General Manager of a wine bar, wine shop and family-run chain of restaurants in London. She was inspired to move into recruitment after speaking with Evolve Hospitality’s Back-of-House Business Manager, Josh Howell, and found that many of her skills from hospitality applied to her current role.
“Hospitality makes you very good at multitasking and getting the job done, whilst not getting in a flap when it all goes a little crazy! You get the best education in problem solving when – for example – the gas supply is cut off mid-service on the 18th December!”
Soner Dervish, Back of House Consultant, who started as a Commis Chef at the age of 18, worked his way up through restaurants, in contract catering and events. He progressed through being a Demi Chef, Chef de Partie and Senior Sous Chef. We asked how he initially got into hospitality.
“My father is a chef. He used to run large banqueting functions, weddings and events, and would take me along to help him. I enjoyed the buzz during service, and discovered my passion for cooking, so I decided to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a chef myself. And what isn’t there to love? You’re continuously tasting new flavours, discovering new worlds and cultures, even creating fresh combinations of flavours – it’s exciting and ever changing!”
When asked about the shift to recruitment, Soner had a similar story about being inspired by a current recruitment professional:
“I started working as an agency chef to cover time in-between jobs. But soon I built a strong relationship with my agent who helped me find great jobs, pushed me outside my comfort zone and supported me to find work whenever I was available. His story inspired me – he used to be a chef himself – and when he told me that there was an opportunity to join his team, I made sure I was the first in line!”
Soner stresses the benefit of real world experience to his role as a hospitality recruiter –
“I know how the kitchen runs, how the brigade is built and which person is responsible for each task. I speak the same language as our chefs and corporate clients, which positions me as the perfect go-between.”
Both Joanna and Soner note the personal side of both hospitality and recruitment. Joanna said, “I like the industry’s fast pace and reactive nature, meeting with so many different people,” whilst Soner commented, “I can relate to chefs – I understand their way of thinking, which helps me to do my current job better.”
Is there anything they miss about working directly in hospitality? “Of course!” says Joanna, “I built some amazing relationships with customers and clients, but I am only around the corner, so I’ve been able to pop by to sneak in a glass of wine with them on my way home!”
As a chef, Soner has a particular nostalgia for his work, “what I do miss is the satisfaction of hearing somebody has liked a dish I cooked, or a recipe I created. As a chef, we get a lot of feedback. However in my current role, I am actually able to use that experience and push it further – now I can build lasting working relationships, get to know a client’s preferences and help them push their business towards further success.”
As recruiters to the industry, of course they recommend the profession to others. Joanna thinks it’s a no-brainer – “anyone who likes a fast-paced environment couldn’t not enjoy the job.” Soner says about moving into hospitality recruitment, “it’s a progression from cheffing that I never really considered before. I didn’t know it was possible. But it’s a chance to continue using your skills and experience, but apply them in a different way. If given the opportunity, I’d say: “GRAB IT!”
You can find out more about National Hospitality Day, taking place on Friday 30 September via their website: https://nationalhospitalityday.org.uk/
29th September 2022
