Victoria Lindsay, Talent Manager –
Victoria Lindsay, Talent Manager –Some partnerships stay with you because they are about much more than a role.
For me, supporting Shevon into his new Sous Chef position at The Hive, Ribby Hall Village has been one of those moments.
It has been a lovely reminder of what good hospitality Partnerships should feel like. Taking the time to understand the venue properly. Listening to the person in front of you. Knowing when something feels like the right fit. Then being genuinely proud when everything comes together.
Ribby Hall Village is a brilliant hospitality and leisure destination with a strong family focus, and The Hive has such a clear personality of its own. It is busy, energetic, guest-led and full of atmosphere.
That meant this role was never just about finding someone with kitchen experience.
It was about finding someone who could understand the pace of The Hive, support the kitchen team with confidence and bring the right attitude into a lively, family-focused environment.
Understanding Ribby Hall Village And HIVE
Ribby Hall Village is a family-owned hospitality and leisure destination in Wrea Green, near Blackpool.
Since opening in 1994, it has grown into a major Lancashire venue set across more than 100 acres, welcoming large numbers of guests every year and offering a full holiday village experience.
There is so much happening across the site, from accommodation and leisure to activities, restaurants, cafés and bars. Food and drink play a big part in the overall guest experience, with seven eateries including The Hive, Terrazza, The Orangery, Harrison’s Bar and Blend Coffee House.
The Hive is a family entertainment, activity and dining venue with a real buzz to it.
The menu is family-friendly, with classic favourites, light bites and hearty meals. That kind of operation needs a kitchen team that can keep pace, stay organised and deliver consistently across a varied day.
The environment matters. The personality of the venue matters. The guest experience matters.
That was at the heart of the process from the beginning.
What The Role Needed
When working with a venue like Ribby Hall Village, it is important to look beyond the job title.
A Sous Chef at The Hive needs to bring skill and reliability, of course. But they also need to understand what kind of environment they are stepping into.
This is a lively venue. It has families, entertainment, food, drink, activities and a wide mix of guest needs throughout the day.
The right person needed to be calm under pressure, confident in the kitchen and ready to support the wider team. They also needed to suit the energy of the venue and understand the importance of family-focused hospitality.
That is why the process had to be thoughtful.
It was not about rushing to fill a space. It was about understanding what Ribby Hall Village needed and making sure Shevon felt supported, informed and ready.
Getting To Know Shevon
From my first conversation with Shevon, I wanted to understand him properly.
Not just what role he wanted next, but what kind of environment would suit him, what mattered to him and where he could see himself growing.
That part of the process is so important to me.
You can have the right experience on paper, but hospitality is about people. It is about pace, personality, culture and confidence. A role has to feel right for the person as well as the venue.
Shevon’s feedback meant a lot because it showed that he felt heard throughout the process.
“I honestly can’t recommend Ginger Hospitality enough, especially my recruiter, Victoria.”
He also said:
“From the very beginning, Victoria took the time to get to know me and understand exactly what I was looking for.”
That is exactly how I want people to feel when they work with me.
Not pushed. Not rushed. Not treated like a name on a list.
Properly listened to.
Supporting The Process Properly
Once the opportunity at The Hive started to feel like the right direction, my focus was on making sure Shevon felt prepared and confident.
Interview support is such an important part of what we do. It is not about over-coaching someone or trying to make them something they are not. It is about helping them understand the opportunity clearly, feel ready for the conversation and walk in knowing they have someone behind them.
Shevon shared:
“She was incredibly supportive, checking in before my interview to give me advice and pointers that really helped me feel prepared.”
That kind of support matters because interviews can feel like a big moment, especially when the role feels right.
For Shevon, this was an opportunity to step into a Sous Chef role at a venue with real energy and personality. I wanted him to feel informed, encouraged and ready to show Ribby Hall Village who he was.
When The Right Fit Comes Together
There is always a moment in a process where you can feel things starting to come together.
With Shevon and The Hive, that moment felt really positive.
He had the right attitude, the right energy and the right understanding of the opportunity. Ribby Hall Village needed someone who could support the kitchen team in a busy, family focused setting, and Shevon felt like someone who could genuinely step into that environment and make an impact.
When he got the role, I was honestly so pleased for him.
Shevon said:
“After my interview, she called to congratulate me and was genuinely excited and proud when I got the job. She even had a little celebration with me over the phone, which made the whole experience feel so personal and memorable.”
That is such a lovely thing to hear, because it really was personal.
When you have taken time to understand someone, supported them through the process and seen how much an opportunity means to them, you cannot help but celebrate when it works out.
Why The Testimonial Means So Much
Feedback like Shevon’s is something we never take for granted.
He said:
“It’s rare to come across someone who genuinely cares about the people they’re helping, but Victoria goes above and beyond.”
That line means a lot to me.
It reflects the kind of support we always want Ginger Hospitality to be known for. Genuine care, honest communication and a real understanding of both people and venues.
For us, getting the fit right matters because it affects everyone. It affects the person starting the role. It affects the team they are joining. It affects the venue and the guest experience.
That is why care and detail are so important.
A Proud Moment In The Ribby Hall Village Partnership
Our partnership with Ribby Hall Village is something I am really proud of.
They are a venue with a strong identity, a clear guest focus and a wide hospitality offer. Supporting them means taking the time to understand the different areas of the business and the kind of people who will suit each environment.
The Hive is a perfect example of that.
It needed someone who could support a busy kitchen, understand the family-focused atmosphere and bring the right personality into the team.
Seeing Shevon step into that Sous Chef role is a brilliant outcome. Not just because the role has been secured, but because it feels like the right match.
That is what good hospitality partnership is all about.
Looking Ahead
Everyone at Ginger Hospitality is wishing Shevon every success in his new role as Sous Chef at The Hive, Ribby Hall Village.
I am genuinely excited to keep up to date with him, hear how he is settling in and see what he brings to the team.
For me, this whole process has been a reminder of why I love this work.
When you take the time to understand the venue, listen properly to the person and support the process with care, the outcome means so much more.
The right person. The right venue. The right support.
That is what makes the difference.
Looking for a hospitality partner who takes the time to understand your venue and the people behind it? Talk to the Ginger team. We are always here to help.
01200 890 890
