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BaxterStorey’s Tabitha Kirby: ‘Hospitality is best described as a warm hug’
The account director at caterer BaxterStorey talks about finding her niche in the industry as part of the This is Hospitality campaign
Our This is Hospitality campaign aims to celebrate all the positive aspects of working in the industry, showcasing rewarding careers, the skills that can be shared and shining a light on the passionate advocates for the sector.
Tabitha Kirby is account director at contract caterer BaxterStorey. She joined the company in 2017 as deputy hospitality manager and has held various positions in management while climbing the ladder to her current role. In 2022 she joined The Caterer’s ranking of hospitality’s best 30 under 30 when she won an Acorn Award.
Here she talks about falling in love with the industry from an early age and why your career should always involve following your heart.
Why do you love working in hospitality?
I’m not sure there are enough words to fully capture how much hospitality means to me. I was brought up in and around the industry and I genuinely believe it’s part of who I am – it’s what I’m meant to do.
It’s a profession where I feel a strong sense of purpose. Hospitality offers a unique ability to bring people together, whether that’s family and friends, or strangers connecting in a space that feels welcoming.
It creates moments of belonging that are hard to replicate anywhere else. To me, hospitality is best described as a warm hug, and I don’t just enjoy working in the industry – I wholeheartedly believe in its power and purpose.
What opportunities has hospitality given you that you may not have found in another industry?
It has given me the opportunity to grow in an environment where I can truly be myself. It’s an industry built on trust, and I’ve been given the space and confidence to build an account I’m extremely proud of – one that reflects my creativity and actively creates opportunities for others. That freedom to be authentic and creative is something I don’t believe I would have found in the same way in another industry.
What’s the most memorable thing that’s happened to you in hospitality?
Winning an Acorn Award in 2022 stands out as a real milestone in my career. It felt like a moment of validation – proof that the dedication and passion I bring to hospitality truly made an impact. It gave me a new level of confidence in myself and reinforced that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Describe a perfect day in your role
It starts with arriving on-site and spending time with my team. As an account director overseeing a large, fast-paced and ever-growing contract the pace can be full-on, with little time to pause and reflect. That’s why those moments with the team matter so much.
Seeing everyone happy, supported and genuinely enjoying what they do gives me a real sense of gratitude and perspective. When you’re balancing client expectations, operational performance and new site mobilisations, that energy reminds you why it all matters.
From there, it’s about making an impact together, delivering for our clients and continuing to grow our contract. When the team feels empowered, I genuinely believe everything else falls into place.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career or most inspired you in the sector?
It’s those who first showed me the magic of hospitality and then taught me how to lead with heart. My first real experience of the industry was working at the Galvin brothers’ restaurants when I was 17, and it was where I truly fell in love with hospitality. The discipline, skill, and sheer love they put into every dish and every service completely set me up for success.
My dad has also had a huge impact. Growing up so close to someone in the sector always taught me that people should be at the heart of everything you do, and that leading with care makes all the difference.
Since then, my leaders at BaxterStorey have continued to inspire me by allowing me to be authentically myself, encouraging creativity and passion every step of the way.
What’s the best advice you’ve received in your career?
It’s simple but powerful: be bold, be brave and always lead with your heart.
What makes hospitality such a fun industry to work in?
The freedom it allows, the creativity it encourages and the constant opportunity to make a difference. It’s an industry that evolves as quickly as the people in it, and there’s a real openness to new ideas and change. That combination of creativity, adaptability and acceptance makes it an incredibly exciting and rewarding place to build a career.
What advice would you give to the next generation considering a career in hospitality?
I would offer them to same advice I had: be bold, be brave and lead with your heart. Take risks, embrace challenges and don’t be afraid to disrupt the norm – we work in an industry that thrives on creativity and innovation, so be a disrupter and make your mark.
The This is Hospitality campaign is supported by Compass Group.
What is This Is Hospitality?
Three easy ways to get involved
Get behind our This is Hospitality campaign and you could help change the perception of your industry.
Follow us on our dedicated page www.thecaterer.com/thisishospitality and on Instagram @thecaterermag for news and updates.
Send in your short videos or share them on social media, explaining why you love working in hospitality, and support the campaign using the hashtag #thisishospitality
Email us. If you have suggestions for our campaign or want to share a positive story about our industry, get in touch at thisishospitality@thecaterer.com
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