The campaign features a series of events that will take place this month. The first is a City Takeover in York, with city-wide activity planned from 14-23rd October, with an additional event in partnership with Sodexo, to take place in Brighton on 22nd October.
Each event will bring together hospitality professionals, educators and students to challenge misconceptions about careers in hospitality and highlight the skills, opportunities and career progression the sector can offer.
The York City Takeover will involve ambassadors from across the industry, including Whitbread and BaxterStorey as well as Tom Brassington and Katie Blundell who were named as the winners of the 2025 Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or earlier this year. Over the course of two weeks, they will deliver interactive workshops in eight schools, reaching approximately 1,000 Year eight students.
In Brighton, Sodexo will first host a panel session to introduce students to the Choose Hospitality Pledge. The panel will be moderated by Antonia Macfarlane, business development manager at Pol Roger Portfolio, and will include:
- James Candy, customer manager at Nestlé Professional
- Serin Rahme Hassan, Toque d’Or finalist and Green Spatula winner
- Bryan Grierson, operations director at Springboard
- Steven Edwards, chef restaurateur at Etch
The discussion will be followed by interactive activities designed to give students hands-on experience of key skills such as teamwork, communication and resilience.
Julia Jones, head of corporate communications and sustainability at Nestlé Professional, said: “Our industry has a responsibility to show young people the breadth of careers available in hospitality and the opportunities it provides for growth, creativity and progression. The campaign is about breaking down outdated perceptions and inspiring students to see hospitality as a vibrant, rewarding career path.”
Register to become a Choose Hospitality Pledge ambassador.