In this powerful and deeply personal episode, chef and restaurateur Stevie McCarry peels back the layers of life in hospitality - from competing on Great British Menu to confronting addiction, depression, and type 1 diabetes.

Stevie shares the raw realities of running a family-run business built on values, not just profit. We talk about the extra weight of doing things the right way, the loneliness of leadership, and the myths of perfection that haunt so many in the kitchen. He also shines a light on how collaboration, community, and care are reshaping the future of our industry.

From mental health aftercare and outdoor foraging to morning yoga with the team - this episode is a heartfelt look at what happens behind the pass.

Stevie’s story is honest, inspiring, and essential listening for hospitality professionals everywhere. Because in an industry that rarely stops, this conversation reminds us why slowing down matters.

Thank you Stevie!

In Part 2 of our Fired Up, Not Burnt Out webinar series in partnership with Planday, we dive deep into the heart of hospitality’s retention and recruitment challenges.

The hospitality industry thrives on energy, passion, and dedication - but burnout is a growing threat that’s quietly fuelling high turnover and staff shortages. In this episode, we explore how to tackle this issue head-on, with practical strategies and real-world insights from leading voices in the field.

Join expert guests including: ✅ Kris Hall – The Burnt Chef Project ✅ Alice Bowyer – Liberation Food Group ✅ Brett Smith – Planday as they share their wisdom on how to build stronger, more sustainable teams.

Whether you're a manager, team leader, or just passionate about the future of hospitality, this episode is packed with the inspiration and ideas you need to create workplaces that keep people fired up - not burnt out.

🎧 Listen in now and stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll uncover burnout prevention strategies for healthier, happier teams.

The hospitality industry is thriving on passion and energy, yet the hidden challenge of burnout continues to affect both managers and frontline workers. In collaboration with Planday, we are launching a mini-series of online events to explore the critical topic of wellbeing in the hospitality sector, using research-driven insights and actionable tools to combat burnout.

The series kicks off with 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭: 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 – 𝗔 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀. Following our extensive research, we've worked with Planday to create a toolkit designed to support managers and foster a healthier, more engaged workforce. This session will dive into what makes a good manager, how to create effective schedules, and the importance of communicating and supporting your team to keep them engaged and motivated.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀: Kris Hall – CEO and Founder, The Burnt Chef Project Louise Jackson – General Manager at Vintage Inns IKC & Burnt Chef Project Ambassador Sarah Haddon – VP of Growth at Planday Emily Cox – Head of Account Management, Square UK