Speaking about the success of the Wellness events, he said: “We grew organically. The idea was to get people who work in hospitality talking. It has enabled us to grow a community of people. We brought together suppliers, charities, chefs and lectures.
“The purpose has always been to create a culture and network that is positive, mindful, caring and inclusive for all our members and business partners and anyone working in hospitality. The great thing about it is that it’s free.”
The Craft Guild of Chefs has hosted 11 events over the last few years. They have covered important conversations such as cancer in the workplace, ADHD, chef’s nutrition as well as the play creativity and wellness session.
Andy added: “The future of the wellness experiences is looking really good. Next year we have some great ideas and we are always looking for new venues. We want to keep growing. Not only does it touch on subjects that are important to us but it also creates an opportunity to connect on a different level. It’s an open safe space to share.”
The Festive Overwhelm event is scheduled to take place take place at the RAK Ceramics Design Hub in London on Thursday 14th November 2024. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 5.15 for a 5.30 start. The event is scheduled to last one hour and 45 minutes with Farringdon being the closest train-tube station.
The Wellness team will be hosting a panel discussion on a range of topics including burnout, triggers, depression, guilt and grief. These topics are something that most people will have experienced in their lifetime or might experience in the future.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to get involved in a festive themed interactive workshop that has personal meaning whilst also being hands on, entertaining and creative. There will be some festive food and non-alcoholic drinks for attendees.
Speaking about the upcoming Wellness Event, Andy stated: “The session will be hard hitting in parts but not all of it. We will be having a panel discussion about how we can overcome these challenges. We will be sharing some stories that you might be able to relate to and we might be able to point you in the right direction to connect with someone if you are on your own.
“You will get a sense of belonging. You will get a sense of hope. You will be inspired. Hopefully you will go away and share with your teams and you will bring more people next time. Come along and see for yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk or ask a question.”
Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be a chef as long as you have a connection to the hospitality industry. For those who are unsure about coming to the event, Andy said people could message him on Instagram.