Guest: John Holden – Chair, Front of House Craft Guild; Hospitality Educator & Industry Advocate

Host: Phil Street

In this landmark episode, Phil sits down with John Holden to talk about one of the most significant developments in the Craft Guild of Chefs’ recent history - the launch of the Front of House Craft Guild.

A lifelong hospitality professional, educator, and passionate advocate for people facing roles, John shares how a phone call on a hotel balcony in Lanzarote turned into a once in a career opportunity: being asked to establish and chair a brand new professional body dedicated entirely to front of house.

Together, Phil and John explore why this moment matters, how the Guild came together at pace, and what it means for the future recognition, professionalism, and pride of front-of-house teams across the UK.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. John’s journey through hospitality - from operations to education and industry leadership
2. Why front of house has long needed its own professional body.
3. How the Front of House Craft Guild came to life - starting with one unexpected phone call
4. The thinking behind building a diverse, skills-led committee from across the industry
5. Why front of house roles deserve the same professional recognition as chefs
6. The importance of community, mentoring, and networking in hospitality careers
7. What success looks like in the first year of the Front of House Craft Guild

Listen now for:

1. Why hospitality careers don’t need to follow a single, linear path
2. How education and real world experience must work hand in hand
3. What true professionalism in front of house really means
4. Why pride, identity, and belonging matter more than ever in hospitality

Memorable Quotes:

1. “Front of house needs a professional body it can be proud of” - John Holden
2. “This is about recognition and belonging” - John Holden
3. “We want members wearing the badge with pride” - John Holden
4. “This is about building something that will outlast all of us” – John Holden

This episode is for:

1. Front of house professionals at every stage of their career
2. Hospitality leaders passionate about people, culture, and professionalism
3. Educators and mentors supporting the next generation of talent
4. Anyone interested in how the hospitality industry continues to...

Guest: Hayden Groves, National Chef of the Year 2013, Freelance Chef, Consultant, Author and Cyclist

Host: Phil Street

In this powerhouse of an episode, Phil sits down with Hayden Groves, former National Chef of the Year, freelance chef, consultant, author, and endurance cyclist. From flipping burgers at McDonald’s to leading kitchens for Lloyd’s of London and Barclays, Hayden’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, discipline, and self belief.

Hayden opens up about his unlikely journey from aspiring pro cyclist to award-winning chef, how sport shaped his approach to kitchen leadership, and the lessons learned from both triumph and failure, including the infamous “grouse incident” that nearly broke him but ultimately set him on the path to success.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Hayden’s early start in food and how important lemon drizzle cake was
2. How his love of cycling built the mindset that carried him through his career.
3. The intense years running the kitchens at Lloyd’s of London and Barclays.
4. Competing in National Chef of the Year - and what it took to go from third place to the top spot.
5. The story behind his blog It’s Not About the Grouse and how failure sparked a new chapter.
6. His ongoing work as a consultant, mentor, and advocate for balance and resilience.
7. The crossover between cycling discipline and kitchen excellence.

Listen now for:

1. How setbacks can become your greatest turning points.
2. Why discipline, focus, and humility are the foundations of success.
3. The parallels between elite sport and professional kitchens.
4. The truth about pressure, leadership, and learning to let go.

Memorable Quotes:

1. “I was probably that second mouse, the one that churned the cream into butter” – Hayden Groves
2. “It wasn’t about ego; it was about excellence” – Hayden Groves
3. “I didn’t need to be perfect; I just needed to make fewer mistakes than anyone else” – Hayden Groves
4. “That failure with the grouse, it hurt, but it made me who I am” – Hayden Groves

This episode is for:

1. Chefs chasing excellence, not just accolades.
2. Anyone learning to turn setbacks into success.
3. Hospitality professionals curious about leadership, balance, and long-term resilience.
4. People who love stories of grit, growth, and sheer determination.

Links &...

Guest: Keira Carolan - Young National Chef of the Year, Chef at Henrock by Simon Rogan

Host: Phil Street

In this uplifting episode, Phil catches up with the newly crowned Young National Chef of the Year, Keira Carolan, who returns to the podcast after finishing third last year to share how she came back stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

Keira’s story is one of quiet confidence, persistence, and growth. From learning the ropes in Simon Rogan’s kitchens to taking the top spot in one of the most respected competitions in the country, she opens up about what’s changed in the last year, and what’s stayed the same.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How Keira turned last year’s near miss into this year’s victory.
• The lessons she learned from a fiery barbecue incident and how it shaped her mindset.
• The value of feedback, resilience, and self-belief in the competition kitchen.
• Her journey at Henrock by Simon Rogan and how mentorship drives her development.
• The importance of teamwork, communication, and a calm head under pressure.
• How practice and preparation built her confidence for the big day.
• What winning Young National Chef of the Year really means to her, and what’s next.

Listen now for:

• Why setbacks are the best preparation for success.
• How discipline and positivity can take you further than raw talent alone.
• The role of mentorship and camaraderie in shaping young chefs.
• Why humility is a strength, not a weakness, in the kitchen.

Memorable Quotes:

• “You learn so much more when things don’t go perfectly”
• “It wasn’t about winning, it was about proving to myself that I could do better”
• “Every bit of feedback helps you grow, even when it stings a little”
• “The more you practice, the calmer you become, and that’s when you can really shine"

This episode is for:

• Aspiring young chefs dreaming of competing on the national stage.
• Hospitality professionals who believe in the power of learning from setbacks.
• Mentors and leaders supporting the next generation of culinary talent.
• Anyone who loves hearing stories of resilience, passion, and growth.

Links & Resources:

• Phil Street (Host): LinkedIn & Instagram @hospitalitymeets
• Keira Carolan: Instagram @keiracarolan1
• Henrock by Simon Rogan: www.henrock.co.uk
• Young National Chef of the Year: www.nationalchefoftheyear.co.uk
• Craft Guild of Chefs: | Craft Guild of Chefs

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