Tell us a little about yourself and your career so far.
I started my career when I was 17 as a dishwasher over in Miami. After spending over 4 years in the States working my way up to senior waiter, I returned to the UK in 1996 and was a part of the opening team of the Royal Garden Hotel, where I was a management trainee for two years.
In 2001, I opened the new Virgin Babylon Restaurant at the Roof Gardens in Kensington, London. It was during my time here I was promoted from Assistant Restaurant Manager to General Manager, a job which allowed me to travel all over the world to support the opening of Virgin Limited Edition properties, including Necker Island and Ulusaba in South Africa. This was a truly amazing experience for me.
During my time at the Roof Gardens, I was so proud that I was named the first IoH UK Restaurant Manager of the Year, we won the best London Restaurant twice, and I was also the recipient of the Catey Manager of the Year Award 2014.
In 2017, I set up my own consultancy business which was really amazing. I was able to experience different sectors of our great industry working with contract catering, casual dining and luxury resorts, helping me to gain a much better understanding of hospitality. Then in January 2020, I got a call from the legend that is Chris Galvin FIH, asking if I fancied a chat regarding the General Manager role at Galvin at Windows and 10 Degrees Sky bar. I signed my contract in February 2020. Being part of the Galvin and Hilton family is just the perfect place for me. I love it and have found my happy place here for sure!
Tell us more about the Galvin at Windows Student Programme
When we were preparing to reopen in May this year it was very clear we had a staffing issue as many of our team went home during the lockdown. We could not recruit from Europe, as unfortunately, our government deemed hospitality low skilled, and we were still dealing with the negative perception of hospitality here in the UK. The collaboration of industry and education is crucial to help plug the skills gap and attract more young people into hospitality.
The industry offers so many fantastic opportunities to build a fulfilling career. Coming from Liverpool and working my way up to General Manager here at Galvin at Windows really shows how amazing a career in hospitality can be for young British talent.
We’re delighted to be supporting young people’s first steps into the sector through this scheme, where we offer students a 12-week programme which includes accommodation here at the hotel, full rate of pay and all meals provided whilst on duty. We also have a detailed training and mentoring programme in place and each student has a dedicated buddy.
I am really looking forward to seeing our programme grow to give opportunities to many more young people.
You’re a Fellow of the Institute. What does this mean to you?
Becoming a Fellow of the IoH means so much to me. It is a really big responsibility and I know that people in our industry will be looking to me for guidance. Over the years I have been supported and mentored by so many amazing FIHs including the fab Wendy Bartlett FIH and the chair of the IoH Supervisory Board, Kellie Rixon MBE FIH, plus many more.
Becoming an FIH, was for sure, one of my career highlights and a very proud moment!
2020/1 has been a challenging time. What acts of kindness or going ‘above and beyond’ has stood out for you?
During these crazy times we’ve all experienced, the one thing that really stood out for me was the genuine kindness and care I was shown by both my Chef patron Chris Galvin and our hotel General Manager Michael Shepherd. They both showed real and genuine leadership. They would call me, just to check in and see how I and my family were doing. This made me realise the importance of just being there, so I found I was doing the same with my team.
You’re on the newly formed IoH Youth Council Board, as their self-proclaimed ‘big brother’. How has it been so far?
I am so excited to be a part of the IoH Youth Council (YC). I absolutely love being their big brother! LOL! It is just so refreshing to see one of our industry bodies giving a valued voice to the younger generation. I think it is so important that we listen to them as they are our industry’s future. Having sat in on Zoom meetings with the YC, I really feed off their energy. They really want to make a change.
The one thing I am really loving is the focus they are putting on mental health. I really feel we sometimes forget mental health has a big impact on younger people, especially after the whole Covid-19 landscape.
As a long-term member of the IoH, how do you feel we are positioned to take the Institute forward into 2022 and beyond.
The IoH is positioned to move forward into 2022 very strongly. I think both Kellie Rixon FIH and Robert Richardson FIH have worked very hard over the past couple of years to get us to where we are today. I believe the IoH is now seen as more accessible to all, which is what was needed. An example of this is the diversity shield which in some ways is a really small thing, but with massive impact. For me, I am so proud to say I am part of this great institution. I think it is just the beginning for a re-energised IoH to be a massive part of the hospitality sector that welcomes all areas of hospitality.
Why say #imin to the IoH?
Saying #imin means you are serious about hospitality and you want to be a part of this new and exciting future with the IoH!
Tell us three things about yourself that we don’t know!
There are a few places still remaining on the student programme at Galvin at Windows. To find out more, please contact Peter Avis via email.
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