The Challenges we face………
2020 will go down in history for many reasons. The past six months have been incredibly difficult for many, with lives turned upside down by the devastating effects of Covid-19 in our families and communities.
From lockdowns to food shortages, home schooling to working from home, and from vacation to staycation, we have all had to adapt to and live with the new normal.
Spotlights have been shone on our key workers – the hidden heroes who have taken a much-loved place in our communities and in our hearts.
Our hospitality sector felt the full force of the lockdown as streets and offices emptied, sporting and entertainment events were cancelled, and cultural venues were closed.
But as the industry began to pull down its shutters, the people who make the industry what it is – the chefs and managers, the front of house staff, the event management teams – began to adapt.
As the nation spent more time at home with their families, chefs across the UK took to the airwaves with online cookery sessions and developed innovative meal kits or deliveries to help inspire those who found themselves having to cook at home.
Quick-thinking teams donated surplus stock to local foodbanks and charitable distributors, such as Fareshare UK, to minimise food waste and to help those most in need. Many offered helping hands to prepare meals for key workers or at foodbanks.
And it is that resilience that will help our industry rise once again.
I have witnessed first-hand over the summer months what is happening across all sectors of the industry. Restaurant closures, redundancies, extended furlough and the fear of the unknown began to leave its mark at all levels. Talented colleagues across the hospitality industry are considering their futures and changing roles.
These are difficult times, but with change comes opportunity.
Although it will take time, the market will recover. People are ready to embrace the new normal, as we have seen through schemes including Eat Out to Help Out.
One thing is for sure – employers will go on needing passionate, well trained, committed, and talented employees. Teams are built with a varied selection of skills and characters. No one type of person will create a well-balanced team. Your worth and value will certainly be in you as an individual. Be assured that we are all committed to developing the individual and nurturing talent.
As an industry, we have a common bond of a genuine love of food, a desire to nourish people, and to innovate.
It is that bond that has brought together the Food Service Circle to provide a support network for those looking for their next challenge as a result of the pandemic.
So how do you survive, thrive and take advantage of opportunities right now, especially if you are looking for a new challenge, a career move, or want to understand more about opportunities that may exist for you?
A few tips…..
- Make a list! Strengths, weaknesses, areas to develop, what you are going to do and when
- Decide what you want to do with your next career move
- Reach out to experts to discuss possible options changing sectors or options that peak your interest
- Consider learning new skills to improve your future chances
- Find a mentor – somebody you trust to advise and challenge you
- Get to work on your CV – chefs are often too modest. Capture the best of you and share it.
- Prepare a short resume ready to share as an introduction to you and the value you will bring
- Make social media work for you – be professional, never share or support poor behaviour on social channels
- Network – use it to tell people you are available and looking for a new challenge
- Don’t be afraid to knock on doors – if you know who you want to work for, approach them.
- Offer your services to help on events including charity activities. Great for the CV and good for the soul
- Always remember, you are amazing!
Human nature shows that we need to have something positive to aim for during times like this. Keep the faith that better times will soon come and that together we will get through it.
The Foodservice Circle has recently been set up by over 20 leading foodservice businesses in the UK.
The aim is to provide a one stop shop as a resource for those affected by Covid-19 and searching for their next career move.
The combined efforts and resources from these leading companies will offer guidance to those looking for jobs and do so in a way that also offers expert advice and training from subject matter experts. Webinars will cover topics including CV writing, how to make the most of social media, the latest health and safety developments, and how to search for the right role.
Leaders from each of the companies involved will also feature insight sessions to update job seekers on the latest developments within their own business and the wider sector.
We are delighted to support The Foodservice Circle and similar initiatives for the value which they bring to all of us across the foodservice and hospitality industry.
I look forward to hearing your feedback, sharing more thoughts and insights and including guest interviews with fellow Foodservice Circle chef members in future blogs.
In the meantime, stay safe and be positive
David Mulcahy
Culinary Ambassador
Sodexo UK & Ireland
Email: david.mulcahy@sodexo.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@MulcahyDavid
Sodexo. World leader in Quality of Life Services – www.sodexo.com
Join the fight against hunger: www.uk.stop-hunger.org
