Midlands Hospitality Network

Midlands Hospitality Network

Hospitality

Birmingham, Midlands 611 followers

Midlands Hospitality Network - creating connections and offering solutions.

About us

Midlands Hospitality Network (previously C.H.E.F) is the brainchild of Tonic Talent MD Conrad Brunton. Founded in 2018, it grew from a desire to not only create connections with like-minded hospitality professionals but to offer help and solutions to problems faced by the sector, to share best practice and to be a forum for positive change. Our popular events are held every two months in Birmingham at some of the best hospitality venues in the city. Each session focuses on a different topic, in previous months we have covered essential subjects such as Happiness in Hospitality, Building Culture, Diversity and Inclusivity, and Staff Retention. More recently we had the pleasure of introducing The Birmingham Food System Strategy to the hospitality on behalf of Birmingham City Council. Each event is headed by incredible industry professionals, experts and thought leaders providing valuable insight, guidance and tangible solutions that can implemented in your place of work or business. We encourage and welcome everyone at all levels in hospitality and catering to join us, whether you’d like to create new connections or learn or debate with your peers on the stuff that matters. Refreshments are always provided by our hosts followed by the opportunity to network and chew the fat! MHN is proud to support Springboard, Hospitality Action, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Love Brum.

Website
https://www.tonictalent.com/about-us/
Industry
Hospitality
Company size
2-10 employees
Headquarters
Birmingham, Midlands
Type
Nonprofit
Founded
2018
Specialties
Hospitality, Networking, Midlands, Hospitality Careers, Building Teams, Career Advice, and Hospitality Consultancy

Locations

Employees at Midlands Hospitality Network

Updates

  • Midlands Hospitality Network reposted this

    View profile for Caitlin Allwood, graphic

    Operations Manager at Tonic - Talent in Hospitality

    If you’re in hospitality and feeling the burn, take five and read this from our friends Michelle Righini We Recover Loudly and Laura Louise Green Healthy Pour who have put together signs you need to take steps to look after yourself this festive season. ❤️

    ** PREVENTING AND RECOVERING FROM BURNOUT ** As we reach the peak of the festive season, we’ve turned to Michelle Righini We Recover Loudly and Laura Louise Green Healthy Pour for their expertise on burnout. Recognising the additional pressures this time of year places on the hospitality sector, they’ve compiled a guide on recognising burnout, avoiding it, and recovering. Over to Shell… Hi, I’m Shell. In Nov 2020, I experienced severe work-related burnout that led to a life-changing chronic condition. Burnout is more than feeling tired—it’s chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. In hospitality, especially during the festive period, pressure runs high, making it hard to maintain boundaries. 🔥What Causes Burnout? 👉Overworking with little downtime: Hospitality workers often miss the legally required 11 hours of rest between shifts. 👉Neglecting self-care: Prioritising work over physical and emotional well-being. 👉Feeling unsupported or undervalued: Working without recognition. 👉Lack of boundaries: Being overwhelmed by excessive responsibilities. Signs of Burnout: 🔥Chronic exhaustion: Feeling constantly drained, even after rest. 🔥Detachment: Withdrawing from loved ones or work. 🔥Ineffectiveness: Difficulty focusing and a lack of motivation. 🔥Cynicism: Negative outlook or feeling numb. Irritability: Increased frustration over minor issues. Preventing Burnout: 🌿Rest & recharge: Prioritise sleep and activities you enjoy. 📋Set boundaries: Learn to say no and respect others’ limits. 💬Seek support: Speak with someone outside work. 📵Take breaks: Respect downtime—turn off your phone! 🎯Reconnect with purpose: Focus on what truly matters to you. Burnout signals systemic workplace issues needing urgent attention. For help, explore EMBERS & FLAMES by Laura Louise Green, founder of Healthy Pour, offering tools to prevent and recover from burnout. Find out more at Healthy Pour or email [email protected]. ❤️Let’s normalise rest and self-care—it’s not a luxury but a necessity. Read more on these Top Tips on the The Noticeboard at tonictalent.com 📖 #Burnout #SelfCare #MentalHealthAwareness #RestIsProductive

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  • Well done everyone, but special mention has to go to Aktar Islam and team at Opheem flying in at no. 6 in Harden's Top 100 UK Restaurants. 👏

    HUGE congratulations to Opheem (6), Grace and Savour (30), Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (63), and The Wilderness (90) for making into The Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurants 2025. Proudly flying the flag for the West Midlands. 👏 __ Harden’s stands apart from other food guides through its unique approach of crowd-sourced reviews from thousands of regular diners, rather than relying solely on professional critics. This ensures a more democratic and diverse perspective on dining experiences, capturing real-world opinions that resonate with the everyday customer. Harden’s covers a broad spectrum of establishments, from hidden gems to high-end restaurants, offering a well-rounded view of the culinary landscape. Bravo to everyone who made the top 100. #food #hardenstop100 #restaurants Opheem Aktar Islam Stefan Liperowski Hampton Manor James Hill Fjona Hill Tom Shepherd The Wilderness Sonal Clare Rachael Whittle Conrad Brunton CertRP Caitlin Allwood Steph Vaughan Jonathan O'Brien Tom Billingham

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  • Midlands Hospitality Network reposted this

    Class night Maneki Ramen. Thank you for the invite Jo Green The Relationship - superb food, great drinks and excellent company. And will you look at the size of that takeaway bag full of absolutely delicious-ness for the team! 😍 👉 Dorian Kirk and Pete Dovaston are crowd funding for their Birmingham venue and have some epic pledges on offer, or just pledge £100 to get £150 to spend in the restaurant when it opens! Link in comments. Winner winner Ramen dinner 🍲 #birmingham #food #restaurant

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  • Big session lined up today for the last MHN of 2024. Hands up if you are joining us! ✋

    View profile for Michelle Moreno, graphic

    Sharing a daily insight into Hospitality Leadership & Strategy I The most meaningful way to lead is to help others lead I Hospitality Titan Board Member I Co-author of Culture Club monthly article for Countertalk

    💫It's Time To Ignore Your Org Chart and Retention %.💫 Who has the influence in your company? And this influence could be good and bad! This is what we'll be discussing and diving into today at Midlands Hospitality Network in Birmingham! Can't wait to come back with Conrad Brunton CertRP Caitlin Allwood Jonathan O'Brien Tom Billingham from the epic Tonic - Talent in Hospitality. Conrad and his team are massive supporters of our hospitality industry and actively spread the message...follow them, if you are not already. Ok, anyone got any questions on this topic? And imagine if it all went right. P.S. Shout out in the comments if you are coming along! #networking #community #workshop #publicspeaker #hospitlaityleadership

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  • Midlands Hospitality Network reposted this

    ** NEW ROLE ** Head Chef | Events/Conference/Concert Venue | Derby | £40,000-45,000 What's in it for the successful Head Chef? * £40,000-45,000 * 48-hour contract  * Autonomy over the entire food offering * Staff meals provided  * Contributory Pension  * Life Assurance policy * Healthcare and eye care vouchers * Uniform provided  * The business is in a phase of growth and is financially stable Tonic are assisting our client in the search for a Head Chef for their state-of-the-art event and conference venue, which will open in early 2025. Our client is a leading global venue and event management business. What are we looking for from you? * Organised and used to cooking to volume and managing a large team * Multi-rosette background - Would be desirable * Knowledge of food safety, health and safety, HACCP and recipe costing  * Passion and drive  * Experience in conference and events Think you might be the right fit? Send your updated CV to [email protected] or get in touch with Steph Vaughan here. #headchef #worklifebalance #hospitality

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  • Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings, a tragic event that claimed 21 innocent lives and forever changed our city. We stand with the families of the victims, who continue their tireless fight for justice and answers, even half a century later. Rooted in Birmingham, we recognise the resilience of this city and the strength of its communities, including those impacted by this tragedy. Today, we pause to remember those lost and send our support to all who carry their memory and echo those calls for a public inquiry because there are still many questions unanswered. #birminghampubbombings #weremember #justiceforthe21 More in comments below.

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  • Midlands Hospitality Network reposted this

    ** ROLE ON TODAY ** Kitchen Manager | Salary Package up to £50,000 (inc Tronc & Bonus) | Branded Restaurant | Birmingham What's in it for the successful Kitchen Manager? * Salary of £35,000 * Bonus up to £8,000 * Tronc up to £7,000 * 48 hours per week * A growing company offering long-term opportunity * Fantastic company culture * Pension and Life assurance * Personal Training and Development Tonic are currently supporting our client with the search for a new Head Chef/Kitchen Manager in Birmingham City Centre. As Kitchen Manager, you'll be fully accountable for managing the kitchen operation for this branded restaurant. What are we looking for from Head Chef candidates? * You must have experience as a Kitchen Manager or Head Chef within branded restaurants * Proactive, adaptable, with great attention to detail * Your CV must demonstrate loyalty to previous employers * Ambition and commitment to your career * Ability to train and develop your team to get the best for every employee If you think you might be the right fit for our client, then get in touch with Tom Billingham here or send your updated CV to [email protected] #chef #headchef #birmingham

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  • Midlands Hospitality Network reposted this

    ** Some Takeaways from the Latest Hospitality Hiring Trends** Ready to rethink your recruitment game? The latest Hospitality Hiring Insider report from Caterer.com reveals key trends shaking up the industry. The report highlights evolving recruitment trends and provides valuable data for employers to optimise hiring. Here’s what you need to know. 👉Growing Workforce, High Demand With 2.8 million people now working in UK hospitality—a tenth of all jobs—the industry is expanding, and demand for talent is at an all-time high. A 76% rise in vacancies in the first half of 2024 alone shows a pressing need for qualified candidates across various roles. 👉Shift Toward Frontline Roles Restaurants, housekeeping, and pub/bar positions are in greatest demand, reflecting where the growth lies. These roles are essential for customer-facing operations, and recruitment here is critical to keeping up with hospitality’s resurgence. 👉Candidate Interest Is Booming! A 34% increase in applications per vacancy shows renewed interest, presenting a chance for employers to attract diverse talent by promoting hospitality as a career of opportunity. 👉Flexibility and Development are Winning Strategies Flexibility is a top priority. Employers offering varied contracts, flexible schedules, and growth opportunities attract more and retain better. Time and time again we see that candidates need to see a clear career path. 👉Compensation Needs Closer Attention Only 17% believe hospitality jobs are well-paid. Salary transparency and benchmarking are essential to attract and retain talent, positioning hospitality as a viable long-term career. There are some superb slides in the report showing the average minimum and maximum salary for roles such as; chef, waiter, assistant manager etc. See how your current roles compare. Aligning with these trends will help employers meet candidate expectations and build sustainable hospitality careers. Download the full report via the link in the comments which is full to the brim with useful tools to enhance hiring strategies. 👊 #hospitality #hospitalityhiringinsider #caterer #attractandretain #hiringtrends

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  • Midlands Hospitality Network reposted this

    ** NEW MEMBER OF THE TEAM ** We're thrilled to welcome Steph Vaughan to the team Tonic! With a passion for hospitality and a career spanning from running her own business at 10 to working at high-end venues like The Duncombe Arms and Hampton Manor, Steph brings a wealth of hospitality experience. Steph specialises in Contract Catering recruitment and excels at building strong client relationships. We are really looking forward to her being a key part of the business and helping us drive Tonic forward. WATCH THIS SPACE! Please join us in giving Steph a warm welcome. #welcometotheteam #hospitalityexpert #tonictalent Conrad Brunton CertRP Caitlin Allwood Jonathan O'Brien Tom Billingham Midlands Hospitality Network

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  • Midlands Hospitality Network reposted this

    ** TIPS AND TRICKS FOR TEAM ENGAGEMENT AND RETENTION | INSITUTE OF HOSPITALITY MIDLANDS NETWORKING EVENT ** 👉14.10.24 Institute of Hospitality - Midlands Branch is bringing together industry leaders to discuss recruitment, engagement, and retention – three critical elements for success in the hospitality industry. Learn from the best about how to foster a strong company culture, support employee well-being, and create lasting retention strategies. Join Tonic Talent MD Conrad Brunton CertRP along with: - Kirsten Price - Head of People, The Belfry Hotel & Resort - Darryl Bate - Co-Founder, A2H Solutions Ltd - Roy Walker - Sales Director, Inpulse - Reina George - Managing Director, Mint People Monday 14th of October Hall 11, ICC Birmingham, Broad Street, B1 2EA 6:30pm: Arrival and networking 7:00pm: Panel discussion with Q&A 7:45pm: Canapés, drinks and further Networking This free event designed for all hospitality professionals in the Midlands is a fantastic opportunity to network and learn how to attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive industry. Pre-registration is essential – sign up now via the link in the comments. #hospitality #teamengagement #retention #networking #leadership #iohmidlands #hospitalitycareers #recruitmentstrategies #employeewellbeing

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