Blog. Chefs and Summer Balls
April 14, 2021
We are thrilled to announce the publication of the brand new inspirational novel complied by hospitality specialist Steve West. Steve is a tireless supporter, advocate and Ambassador of HA and has kindly donated 100% of the royalties of ‘Chefs and Summer Balls’ to our work. With over 40 stories, from ‘Brazilian Salami’ to ‘Never give up’ and stories of coming back from the brink of suicide, this isn’t a regular story book. We spoke to Steve ahead of publication to learn a little more.
Tell us about yourself and your time in hospitality.
I became an apprentice chef at the Intercontinental Hotel London after a brief spell in Housekeeping in 1978. Looking back at my career, it has been very wide and varied including working at Leith’s Restaurant in Kensington. After becoming a freelance chef in 2000, teaching was my next goal and in 2011, an opening at Derby College was my first step on the education ladder. There is something very special about teaching anything to do with hospitality and I went on to be a tutor in Higher Education. This has placed me in the position of being an assessor of Apprentices in the UK, Adult Training, Sessional Lecturer and Small Business development. My career and experiences are bespoke, but the core is hospitality and with this, even after all these years in the industry, it really is the most incredible career one can find.
Why do you think the hospitality industry needs a charity like Hospitality Action?
There are many great charities who are doing some really fantastic work, that is undeniable and cannot not go unmentioned. The reason why Hospitality Action rises above the others in its concept, is the accessibility of it. That is, from the CEO, Mark Lewis to the Hospitality Ambassadors, the team that support HA, opens it up to be reachable on a human level. It is not so much a charity but a movement, a body of tangible and strong support which in real terms, reaches out. There is an adhesion quality which bonds people in supporting others on a real individual level. #wevegotyou by default, does exactly what it intends to do. The nature of hospitality is emotive throughout the industry. Hospitality Action is proactive and does not wait around for others, it welcomes those who need support with unreproachable open arms, it embraces the values and principles of hospitality.
What inspired you to write ‘Chefs and Summer Balls’?
The idea for ‘Chefs and Summer Balls’ was very simple. There were so many great initiatives throughout lockdown ranging from, Walk for Calm, companies sharing some of the profits, routes around Britain encouraging funds to be raised by lovely unselfish people. The intentions are fantastic but the money generated is finite and funds are so desperately needed all the time. Of course, ‘Invisible Chips’ with its tongue in cheek menus, gives a chance for customers to get engaged as well. Over a period of time, I tried to invite other hospitality people to contribute to the book. There had to be a longer-term view on raising funds. Something that would always be there and in the future, perhaps other books could be written in the future. Not only would this keep HA in the limelight, but it would also engage people and generate funds in the same instant. The premise was longevity.
What do you have planned for the future?
As a small business, it is imperative planning must continue to open further opportunities. Having a deep passion for education and hospitality, my core philosophy is simply this; whether it is small business development, lecturing and tutoring, the needs of others and developing people is paramount as Steve West. There are projects ready to go when hospitality finally opens but it should never stop one from making connections, reaching out to drive the business forward. My long-term goal, on top of the business, is develop deeper skills in mentoring with a view to supporting others to be able to give people the best chances in life. My business is not about myself, it is about ‘what can I do for others’? Having a wealth of experience of people and an industry acumen this is used fundamentally to elevate others and follows with my own tagline of, Engage, Excite, and Inspire.
To purchase your copy of ‘Chefs and Summer Balls’ click here.