Our next speaker Q&A features Brian Keeley-Whiting, managing director of Whiting & Hammond — a small, award winning, independent pub group in the heart of the Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
He’ll be appearing alongside the Yummy Pub Co’s Tim Foster, Alexander Salussolia, MD of Glendola Leisure Group, and Kate Nicholls, chief executive of The ALMR, to discuss ‘Are we growing our pubs or saving our pubs?’ on the show’s opening day.
What do you see as key trends for the casual dining sector in the coming year?
The casual dining sector will be more reliant on improving service and the customers overall dining experience.
What do you feel is the key for operators, like you, to successfully compete against your competitors?
Operators of our size have the edge because we can keep our fingers on the pulse better than our larger competitors. We can react quicker and fine tune the model as and when needed.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
Success inspires me to be even better. To be perceived among your peers as a good operator is extremely flattering and pushes you harder not to fail. I strive to be the best and I have the hunger to get there.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
How you leave is how you get remembered: Anton Edelmann – Head Chef at the Savoy London.
Describe the casual dining trade show in 3 words:
Lively, Informative and Inspirational.
How important is the Casual Dining trade show to you and the sector?
The Casual Dining show has firmly found it’s niche in this ever expanding sector. It’s improved year on year and has become a “go to” event for us in this hugely competitive market.
Can you tell us a bit about your much anticipated session at Casual Dining 2018?
I am looking forward to joining a couple of key chaps in the sector, especially as one is head of “Being Awesome” and Alex Salussolia has a wealth of knowledge and a great successful diverse company. Kate Nicholls is hosting our session and as we all know there is no better leader in this field – it should be an informative and lively panel.
See Brian at Casual Dining 2018
Are we growing our pubs or saving our pubs? 4.15pm in the Keynote Theatre on Wednesday 21 February. The session will feature Brian Keeley-Whiting, MD of Whiting & Hammond; Tim Foster, owner & head of being awesome at Yummy Pub Co; Alexander Salussolia, MD of Glendola Leisure Group; and (host) Kate Nicholls, chief executive of The ALMR.
