EP Business in Hospitality Issue 49 - April 2014

BUSINESS
“We want to be
one of the best
by striving to
Manager for McLaren, we are very much
part of the McLaren Road Car business
with car launches worldwide and many
other projects, and Ron Dennis helped
us set up. McLaren gave us the lead into
in-flight catering and opened many doors.
I am a good caterer that loves food and
great hospitality, so we have been good
for each other.
“The great thing about McLaren and
Formula 1 is that they teach you discipline
as they have a strong work ethic to be
the best. To be successful in Formula 1
the team has strived to get everything
absolutely right, to achieve the impossible
and to be the absolute best. There can be
no mistakes, and therefore those involved
are very detailed and driven to achieve. It
does rub off so the culture does impact on
those like us around the team.”
It is clear that Absolute Taste have a
strong platform from which to grow, but
how does Lyndy view the future?
“I am not sure I have a set plan for how
we want to grow. We want to be one of the
best in our field and discipline, and by
striving to achieve we find growth. I do see
great potential with the in-flight business
as this is a very good business model.
“During the London Olympics we
worked in partnership with ISS at Westfield
and this was very successful. We also
thoroughly enjoyed working with ISS as
both sides really complemented the other.
They have a set of skills that complement
us and vice versa, so we would be open to
such collaborations in the future.”
Lyndy was born in Scarborough and
grew up in Yorkshire. As many from that
great county, Lyndy is not concerned by
reputations and celebrities and possesses
a strong work ethic. “Catering is just hard
work, but also such fun,” she notes.
“If I go back to 1997, I did not envisage
a business with a £17m turnover. I knew
we would work internationally as McLaren
opened that door for us, but the business
has exceeded our initial expectations.
I think that the reason we have become
the business that we are is because
we really care about our clients and
we deliver a service that clients want.”
Absolute Taste is now in great demand
and I wondered if, after 16 years, Lyndy
would slow down?
“Running any catering business is very
hard work and sometimes I do feel guilty
that I do not provide a better work–life
balance for my son. Sometimes I will be
away for a week abroad and then still need
to go to office the next day. As I am sure
many working mothers feel, I wish I had
more time with Joshie, but then again,
my son loves what we do, he is already
cooking and calls himself ‘Cheffie Joshie’,
and he has travelled to some great
countries with us that we would not
have done but for the work.
“It is a journey and I often wonder
where it will take us, but it has been an
amazing one to be involved in. I just feel
very fortunate. There is never something
not happening somewhere. Being part of
McLaren is like being part of a large family,
we have grown up together and we take
the challenges and the successes
personally.
“The business is all about the food
and the people, we have fantastic staff
who I love and they share the passion. It’s
all about the quality and being the absolute
best.”
14 | April 14 | EP