Spotlight interview | Phil Street FIH

As our Institute of Hospitality Annual Dinner & Awards approaches, we thought we’d shine our spotlight on our MC Phil Street FIH.

Thank you for taking part Phil! For those few who haven’t heard of you, can you tell us a little about yourself and your career to date?

Of course. I’m Phil Street, Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, podcast host, event MC, interviewer, and lifelong hospitality enthusiast.

My career began in operations, working in hotels, contract catering and cruise ships, where I got my start. A chance conversation took me into hospitality recruitment, where I spent many years working with brilliant businesses and people across the industry. That gave me a front-row seat to the sheer variety, resilience and personality that exists in hospitality, and I think that has stayed with me ever since.

These days, much of my work revolves around conversations. I host the Hospitality Meets and the I’m In podcasts, I work in business development for Korero, a people-tech company focused on improving workplace conversations, and I’m lucky enough to host events, panels and awards across the industry.

So, in short: I talk to people for a living. Which, frankly, is a ridiculous privilege.

Your podcast Hospitality Meets has been going since 2020. What made you get into podcasting?

The honest answer is I was getting bored of hearing the world talk down to hospitality, when my own experience and that of the people I was meeting and interviewing showed a different experience from the wider narrative.

I have always believed that hospitality is full of extraordinary people with extraordinary stories, but we do not always stop long enough to hear them properly. The podcast started as a way to have those conversations and shine a light on the humans behind the job titles.

Launching in 2020 was quite a moment to start anything hospitality-related, but in many ways, that made it even more important. The industry was going through one of the hardest periods in its history, and I wanted to create something positive, thoughtful and human.

Since then, Hospitality Meets has grown beyond anything I could have imagined. But at its heart, it is still the same thing: a conversation with someone brilliant, about where they have come from, what they have learned, why this industry matters and anything funny/quirky/interesting that’s happened along the way.

And of course, we have to ask you about the podcast you host for us! How has hosting I’m In differed from Hospitality Meets?

I’m In has a slightly different energy, because it is so closely connected to the Institute and its members.

With Hospitality Meets, I am often exploring an individual’s full journey, the twists, the turns, the chaos, the comedy, and the occasional “how on earth did that happen?” moment.

With I’m In, there is a real sense of community and shared purpose; notwithstanding it’s a panel discussion about a particular topic, it’s also about hearing from people who are part of something bigger; professionals who care deeply about hospitality, development, standards, connection and the future of the industry.

It has felt like a privilege to host it because the conversations often remind you why the Institute matters. It is not just a badge or a membership body. It is a network of people who genuinely want the industry, and the people in it, to thrive.

Why did you join the Institute of Hospitality?

I joined because I believe in belonging to things that are trying to move the industry forward.

Hospitality can be wonderfully energetic, but it can also be demanding, fast-moving and, at times, quite unforgiving. The Institute provides something important: a place for professional development, connection, recognition and support.

For me, joining was also about backing the idea that hospitality is a serious, skilled and valuable profession. We all know how much talent it takes to do this work well. The Institute helps champion that.

And selfishly, I also just like being around people who care about the industry as much as I do.

As someone with a hospitality recruitment background, do you have any advice for young hospitality professionals starting in our industry?

Stay curious, say yes to learning, and never underestimate the power of being reliable. Oh, and don’t be in a rush to get to the top.  The real wins come from consolidated learning; that’s just a fact of life.

Early in your career, you might not know exactly where you are heading, and that is completely fine. Hospitality is full of unexpected doors. The trick is to keep showing up well enough that people want to open them for you.

Build relationships. Ask questions. Watch the people who are brilliant at what they do. Learn from the ones who are brilliant with people, not just the ones with the impressive job titles.

And remember, your attitude travels faster than your CV. Skill matters, absolutely. But energy, care, consistency and willingness to learn can take you a very long way.

You’re this year’s Institute of Hospitality Annual Awards MC! What are you most looking forward to about hosting this year’s Awards?

Honestly? Celebrating brilliant people properly. Awards nights are special because they give us permission to pause. Hospitality is so often about looking after everyone else, moving quickly, solving problems, and quietly making magic happen in the background. The Annual Awards are a chance to stop and say, “Actually, this is exceptional.”

As MC, my job is to help create the right atmosphere, which I hope to be one of warmth, celebration, energy, and hopefully, with just enough mischief to keep everyone awake through dinner.

I am really looking forward to being in a room full of people who care deeply about this industry and giving the finalists, winners and guests the kind of night they deserve.

You’re a Fellow of the Institute. What does this mean to you? 

It means a great deal. Being made a Fellow felt like a moment of recognition, not just for work done, but for the contribution made. Hospitality has been a huge part of my life and career, and to be recognised by the Institute in that way is something I do not take lightly.

But I also think Fellowship comes with responsibility. It is not just a nice set of letters after your name, it means continuing to advocate for the industry, supporting others where I can, staying curious, and using whatever platform I have to tell positive, honest and meaningful stories about hospitality and the people within it.

What makes hospitality such a great industry to work in?

Where do I start? The people. Always the people.

Hospitality is one of the few industries where you can walk into a room, a kitchen, a hotel, a restaurant, a bar, a venue, or an event and immediately feel the energy of the people making it work.

It teaches you resilience, creativity, empathy, problem-solving, communication and leadership, often all before breakfast.

It is also an industry of stories. Everyone has one. The first job. The mad shift. The guest you never forget. The manager who changed your life. The colleague who became family.

Hospitality is not always easy, but it is alive. It gives people chances. It builds confidence. It creates memories. And at its best, it reminds us that making people feel welcome, valued and cared for is not a small thing.

It is a glorious thing, and by crikey, we need way more of that in the world right now.

Phil Street FIH will be this year’s MC at our Annual Awards. Find out more at the Awards here.