Speaker Q&A (2019): Anna-Marie Mason, Mitchells & Butlers

Speaker Q&As

Next up in our series of speaker Q&As, we speak to Anna-Marie Mason, director of brand marketing at Mitchells & Butlers. In her talk ‘No channel is an island – the crusade for seamless guest experience” on the second day of the show, she’ll be discussing how to design and deliver the ideal guest experience, to meet and exceed their expectations, profitably. What restaurant & pub operators do you particularly admire and why? I value brands that consistently deliver on their image and ‘promise’ – that’s why I admire the Inception Group for their innovative concepts and ability to deliver…

Gordon Ker, Blacklock

Speaker Q&A (2019): Gordon Ker, Blacklock

Speaker Q&As

Meet Gordon Ker, a former lawyer turned waiter turned restaurateur, who founded Blacklock in an old basement brothel on Great Windmill Street in Soho in 2015. His second steak restaurant and chophouse, Blacklock City, opened in 2017 and the latest member of the family, Blacklock Shoreditch on Rivington Street, opened its doors in September 2018. He’ll be appearing in an opening day panel session alongside other industry high flyers (including Sarah Weir, MD of Albion & East, Steve Moore, CEO of Flight Club, and the NWTC’s Chris Hill) to talk about what’s next for their brands. What restaurant & pub operators do you…

Dave Lewis, Operations Director – Browns, Brasserie & Bar

Speaker Q&A (2019): Dave Lewis, Browns Brasserie & Bar

Speaker Q&As

Dave Lewis is operations director of Browns Brasserie & Bar. A new speaker for Casual Dining 2019, he’ll be taking part in day two’s must-attend Operations Director panel (28 Feb), alongside Baton Berisha from The Ivy Collection, Brian Trollip from Dishoom, Jo Childs from Yo! Sushi, Gavin Smith from Pizza Pilgrim, and Mark Stretton, MD of Fleet Street Communications. What restaurant & pub operators do you particularly admire and why? Over the last few years I have kept a keen interest in Brasserie Blanc, their food and drink proposition has adapted over the years staying true to their heritage. I am particularly…

Brian Trollip from Dishoom speaking at Casual Dining show

Speaker Q&A (2019): Brian Trollip, Dishoom

Speaker Q&As

Our next speaker Q&A features Brian Trollip, chief operations wallah of Dishoom, who has been overseeing the day-to-day running of Dishoom’s operations since 2010.  He’ll be taking part in the show’s first ever Operations Director panel discussion (28 Feb), alongside Baton Berisha from The Ivy Collection, Jo Childs from Yo! Sushi, Dave Lewis from Browns Brasserie & Bar, Gavin Smith from Pizza Pilgrim, and (chair) Mark Stretton, MD of Fleet Street Communications. What restaurant & pub operators do you particularly admire and why? Brian and the guys behind Super 8 restaurants do a brilliant job with Brat, Kiln and Smoking Goat. On…

Speaker Q&A (2019): Mark McCulloch, WE ARE Spectacular

Speaker Q&As

Our next speaker Q&A features Mark McCulloch, founder and CEO of creative brand and marketing agency WE ARE Spectacular. In his opening day Keynote, he’ll be sharing expert insights on how, in the age of Brexit, “instafame” and the Millennial, we can attract, recruit and retain the best talent to look after our guests and show them real hospitality. While on day two of the show, Mark will be hosting a much-anticipated live recording of his hugely popular WE ARE Spectacular podcast – featuring Kate Eastwood (Revolution Bars), Thom Elliot (Pizza Pilgrims), Andre Johnstone (wagamama), Lesley McIlroy (Bill’s Restaurant) and Lucy Harwood…

Speaker Q&A (2019): Kate Eastwood, Revolution Bars Group

Speaker Q&As

Kate Eastwood is sales and marketing director at Revolution Bars Group. She’ll be at the show on Thursday 28 February, taking part in an exclusive live recording of the WE ARE Spectacular podcast – a must-listen for any discerning marketer in the food and drink industry. She’ll be joined by marketing directors from wagamama, Las Iguanas and Bill’s Restaurants, plus Thom Elliot, co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims, and WE ARE Spectacular’s CEO Mark McCulloch. What restaurant & pub operators do you particularly admire and why? wagamama, for delivering casual dining consistently in a way you want to keep coming back for more…

Speaker Q&A (2019): Seamus O’Donnell, The Alchemist

Speaker Q&As

Seamus O’Donnell is executive chef at The Alchemist, the multi-award-winning bar and restaurant brand famed for its molecular mixology and theatrical venues. He’ll be appearing in the ‘Menu innovations in pubs’ panel session alongside Fuller’s Paul Dickinson, Young’s Chris Knights, Oakman Inns’ Ross Pike and Jay Morjaria, recent winner of the BBC’s My Million Pound Menu. What restaurant & pub operators do you particularly admire and why? The breakfast/brunch trend will continue to grow as it’s such a versatile day-part meal which can be easily influenced by different cuisine – Dishoom are a great example of this. What do you…

Jane Treasure PizzaExpress

Speaker Q&A (2019): Jane Treasure, PizzaExpress

Speaker Q&As

Next up is Jane Treasure, PizzaExpress’ food and beverage director.  She’ll be at the show on opening day discussing ‘Menu innovation for multi-site restaurants’. The session will also feature Las Iguanas’ Glenn Evans, wagamama’s Steven Mangleshot, and Jay Morjaria, recent winner of the BBC’s My Million Pound Menu. 

Speaker Q&A (2019): Glenn Evans, Las Iguanas, La Tasca & La Vina

Speaker Q&As

Our next speaker Q&A features Glenn Evans, head of food development at popular Latin American and Spanish restaurant chains Las Iguanas, La Tasca & La Viña. With a diverse career spanning 21 years, including roles at Hilton Hotels, Compass Group, Marks & Spencer, Reynolds Foodservice, SSP and Greene King, Glenn has plenty of experience creating inspiring menus. Don’t miss the chance to catch Glenn sharing his expertise on the opening day of the show, when he’ll be appearing in an exclusive panel session, alongside Jane Treasure, PizzaExpress’ food and beverage director, Steven Mangleshot, wagamama’s executive chef, and and Jay Morjaria, recent winner…