Small Talk

BigHospitality catches up with chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and publicans for a chat about their latest projects, their career so far, and their passion for hospitality

Small Talk

Jason Wright on The Fish Eatery, local suppliers and restaurant identity

09-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Jason Wright, executive chef of Steak restaurant at Twelve Picardy Place hotel in Edinburgh, has recently opened The Fish Eatery next door and plans to open further restaurants in the next few years.

Small Talk

Harwood Warrington on Macdonald Hotels and the importance of food

25-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Harwood Warrington recently took over as Macdonald Hotels’ restaurant operations director and has begun a multi-million pound redevelopment of the group's food and beverage offering.

Small Talk

James Robson on Cartizze and making it in Mayfair

11-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Investor and entrepreneur James Robson has established a portfolio of exclusive venues in London, including Mews of Mayfair, La Cave, Mayfair Pizza Co and his latest venture, Cartizze.  

Small Talk

Josh Eggleton on Salt & Malt and being a young entrepreneur

02-Sep-2014 By Joe Lutrario

Josh Eggleton, the chef behind the Michelin-starred The Pony & Trap in Chew, is preparing to open a new seafood café down the road from his award-winning pub.

Small Talk

Emil Minev on high-rise dining and making people happy

28-Aug-2014 By William Drew

The Bulgarian-born executive chef of the recently opened Shangri-La at The Shard oversees all food and wine at the luxurious – and somewhat elevated - London hotel.

Small talk

Michael Warren on heading up Harbour Hotels, his Hotel du Vin experience and why no two days are the same in hospitality

14-Aug-2014 By Melodie Michel

Michael Warren spent 17 years at Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, helping with the development and expansion of the brand. He recently took on a managing director role at Harbour Hotels, and plans to use his wealth of experience to push the company forward.

Small Talk

Richard Corrigan on his cookery school, winning Great British Menu and plans for a third London restaurant

14-Jul-2014 By Joe Lutratio

Richard Corrigan is the the inimitable chef behind Bentley’s and Corrigan’s Mayfair. He has also enjoyed a wide and varied media career, and was declared winner of Great British Menu no less than four times. He recently bought a cookery school in Cavan,...

Small Talk

Alexander Salussolia on Silk & Grain, market niches and nurturing future talent

26-Jun-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Managing director of Glendola Leisure Alexander Salussolia joined the company in 1992 as an area manager, before becoming its managing director in 2000. The company is about to open its first venture in the City of London, restaurant and aged cocktail...

Small Talk

Tom Peake, Mark Reynolds and Nick Fox on the expansion and diversification of Renaissance

12-Jun-2014 By Melodie Michel

Renaissance Pubs recently opened its first hotel rooms above the Tommyfield in Kennington Cross. We caught up with the company’s founding trio to discuss this diversification, future plans for their pubs and their love for breathing new life into neglected...

Small Talk

Nigel Haworth on Northcote, his new cookery school and the next step for Ribble Valley

09-May-2014 By Carina Perkins

TV chef Nigel Haworth took over the kitchens of renowned country-house hotel Northcote in 1984, earning a Michelin star two years later that the hotel’s restaurant has retained ever since. He has starred on Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen and...

Small Talk

Ulrike le Roux on Sudbury House and her passion for hospitality

25-Apr-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Ulrike le Roux completed her studies and hospitality training in South Africa. She has spent time working in a number of different sectors of the industry including B&Bs, restaurants, boutique hotels and chains. She moved to the UK to gain some international...

Small Talk

Mark Slaney on the Horseshoe, wine and a life in hospitality

24-Mar-2014 By Carina Perkins

Mark Slaney was practically born into the hospitality sector – his parents, grand-parents and great-grand parents were hoteliers. He worked as restaurant manager, head of dining, events manager, head sommelier and consultant before joining the Horseshoe...

Small Talk

Brett Sutton on the White Post, British pubs and his love of making bread

13-Mar-2014 By Emma Eversham

Chef Brett Sutton built a name for himself at the Eastbury hotel in Dorset, where he won numerous accolades and awards. He recently took over The White Post - a historical pub in Rimpton on the Dorset/Somerset border - with his wife Kelly. 

Small Talk

Antonio Mellino on Quattro Passi London and the importance of good ingredients

14-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Two Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino graduated from Naples Hotel School in 1974 and began his career in hospitality working as a waiter on cruise liners. After working in kitchens around the world, he opened his award-winning restaurant, Quattro...