The definition of hospitality: The hospitality and catering industry across the UK has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in ways that less than a year ago were unthinkable. Many names across the industry have already disappeared, and unfortunately many others will follow in the months ahead.
So, what is truly remarkable is the camaraderie that pervades, seeing people and the businesses they run and/or are part of come together to help those less fortunate than themselves.
The help being provided aims to lessen the business and economic impact from the Covid-19 crisis and sees competitors joining forces to pool resources and maximise assistance.
Last week we reported on the launch of Food Service Circle, a support network for food service and contract catering professionals. Founded by leaders of the UK’s food service companies, with the aim of helping people impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic by sharing ideas, insights, and job opportunities.
Food Service Circle was founded through the ‘Food Service Management Forum’ that sits within UKHospitality.
The forum meets regularly through the year to discuss issues specifically focussed on the catering sector. During the Covid-19 crisis the frequency of meetings increased significantly, with one of the key priorities being the well-being of the workforce – both now and into the future.
The Food Service Circle ‘team’ of five people are all well known in the industry and are all now leading the efforts to establish Food Service Circle’s foundations. Wendy Bartlett, Executive, Bartlett Mitchell – Noel Mahony, Co-Chief Executive, BaxterStorey – Sue Thompson, Client Services Director, Baxterstorey – Piers Zangana, Director, Susa Communications – Nick Clegg, Most recently, Group Sales Director, CH&CO.
If you take a look at the Food Service Circle website you can see that an enormous amount of work has already gone in to setting the service up. Many of the leading businesses in UK food service have signed up and are taking an active part.
As the service is job focused a whole manner of services are available including 23,342 jobs, tips and help with CV writing, interview preparation and much more.
It is quite something that when faced with crisis so many people and businesses manage to make time to help others. That’s as we see it, “the definition of hospitality”.
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The Covid-19 crisis in hospitality is also being featured extensively in our Facebook and twitter social media accounts with the opportunity to engage with others in hospitality and share your views.
The definition of hospitality – 25 August 2020 – The definition of hospitality
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