Hotels, Leadership, and Mental Health in Hospitality

Rob Hood joins us for an honest conversation about the realities of modern hospitality. From dish pits in 1988 to executive leadership across Canada, Rob shares the journey that shaped his perspective on what truly matters in this industry.We explore how technology is reshaping hotels—AI at the front desk, robotics in the kitchen, and evolving guest expectations. Rob explains which innovations actually improve the experience and which are just noise.The conversation turns to what real hospitality looks like: the difference you feel when ownership is present, when leaders genuinely care about their people, and when the details matter. Rob shares stories from London and Vancouver that reveal how leadership directly impacts the guest experience.We discuss why authenticity matters more than ever in restaurants, how diners now use their phones to drive demand, and why experience has become the true competitive advantage in a commoditized market.Rob opens up about the Burnt Chef Project and why addressing mental health in hospitality isn't optional anymore. He talks about available resources, what leaders can do to protect their teams, and the collective responsibility we share to create safer, healthier workplaces. We don't shy away from the hard topics—loss, pressure, passion, and the toll this industry can take.This episode delivers direct, actionable insight for anyone leading or working in hotels and restaurants. It's about building better, not just building more.Learn more about the Burnt Chef Project at https://www.theburntchefproject.com/