Behind the scenes interview with
our Head of Food & Beverage
We’re pleased to introduce Ashley, our newly appointed Head of Food & Beverage at Edgbaston Park Hotel.
With five years of invaluable experience within our team, Ashley began his journey with us as a Food and Beverage Assistant and has now stepped in to this exciting new role.
Join us as we sit down with Ashley to delve into his journey, insights, and vision for the future of our culinary offerings.
- How did you get into the hospitality industry?
My career journey began in the retail sector where I worked for 12 years, before I embarked on an overseas adventure working as a sports and entertainment host with TUI in Tenerife. Upon my return to the UK, I joined Edgbaston Park Hotel as a Food & Beverage Assistant. I was drawn to this role, as I felt that I had transferrable skills in customer service and guest experience. For me, what truly captivated me about the hospitality industry was its emphasis on fostering connections and teamwork, making it the ideal environment for me to thrive in professionally.
2. What inspired you to pursue this promotion and how does it align with your career goals?
At Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre, it’s the vibrant people and dynamic culture that motivated me to progress into my new role. I joined the team at Edgbaston Park Hotel from when the hotel first opened in 2018 and since then I have been given a clear progression and development plan and unwavering support from my directors and peers. I am passionate about managing people, and I currently oversee a team of 70 team members. My aim has always been to transition and progress into an operational role within the hospitality industry, and this promotion aligns with that goal perfectly.
3. What skills and experiences do you believe were instrumental in earning this promotion?
Being committed to engaging customers and ensuring guest satisfaction has truly been crucial for me. Alongside that, having a deep understanding of the food and beverage industry and staying on top of its ever-evolving trends has been key. My experience in planning and flawlessly executing events, as well as my leadership skills, focusing on training and development have contributed significantly. I’ve also had recognition as Leader of the Year at the EPH Team Awards Night and Manager of the Month on multiple occasions.
4. What do you like about working at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre?
I truly value the camaraderie and vibrant culture within the team at Edgbaston Park Hotel. It’s inspiring to be in an environment where career progression is actively encouraged. Moreover, I find that the vision and values of the hotel closely resonate with my own professional ethos.
5. Can you share any memorable experiences or lessons learned from your journey within the industry leading up to this promotion?
One of the most memorable experiences was navigating our way through the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in terms of catching up on the backlog of weddings that were cancelled due to restrictions. It was incredibly fulfilling to play a part in making these guests’ experiences extra special, especially for those who had to postpone their weddings. Witnessing the joy of reuniting with family and friends after such a challenging time was truly heartwarming. In the span of one year, we successfully hosted over 100 weddings and created lots of memorable experiences for our guests which was extremely rewarding.
Looking for an exciting new career within the hospitality industry? Visit our careers page today.