The Staff Canteen Live 2025: exclusive networking lunch for Lightspeed

The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen Hosted an Exclusive Networking Lunch at Michelin-recognised The Wilderness on September 8 for our “Tech” partner lightspeed.

The Staff Canteen launched chef networking lunches in 2016, incorporating front of house events from 2020, which are now run once every quarter.

The Wilderness is a modern British restaurant in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, led by chef-owner Alex Claridge and Ediz Niyazi Engin.

Networking lunch 2025 at Wilderness

The guests

Today at Wilderness, we welcomed 14 front of house professionals for the lunch.

Oliver Kaviani, restaurant manager and head of drinks - JORO
Steve Locklin, general manager - Simpsons
Patrick Bostock, general manager - The Flintlock at Cheddleton
Michael Sterland, junior restaurant manager - Fischer's Baslow Hall
Harry Grinonneau, restaurant manager - Upstairs by Tom Shepherd
Ana Chirac, restaurant manager - Grace and Savour
Sean Finnegan, restaurant manager - Back Street Brasserie
Edmund Wilson, general manager - The Cross at Kenilworth
Jacob Dolman, restaurant manager - Harborne Kitchen
Andrea Scarpati, owner - Sapori
Tom Fastiggi, general manager/ director - Winsome Manchester
Nathan McCormick, group head sommelier - Rafters
Tom Ford, Restaurant manager – Manifest
Paul Durand – chef patron, Manifest

The Wilderness networking lunch

The feedback

Steve Locklin, general manager

at Simpsons said: “It’s a big difference from a cold call. Events like this give you that personal interaction, and when you’re looking at an investment of this size, it’s about trust. Meeting suppliers face-to-face gives you the chance to build that relationship from the very start.” 

Harry Grinonneau, Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, Lichfield said: “Face-to-face is so much more personal, and that’s what hospitality is built on. Just like creating a moment between staff and a guest, these events let companies connect with potential users in a much more meaningful way than an email ever could.”

Clelia Malinverni, Lightspeed said: “Working with The Staff Canteen has been a success story for three years. It’s fuelled by passion and collaboration, delivering value to the business while giving back to the hospitality community - that’s where we truly meet.”

The Menu 

SNACKS

Oysters

Hashbrowns

Txakoli, Hondarribia, Spain 2024

RAW

Tuna – Jalapeno – Celery

Viognier, Ktima Gerovassiliou, Greece 2023

GREENS

Beetroot – Ajo Blanco

Riesling Kabinett, Villa Gutenberg, Germany 2023

SEA

Grilled Monkfish – Iberico

Artania, Beykush Winery, Ukraine 2023

LAND

Grilled Hogget — Anchovy

Saperavi, Bedoba, Georgia 2022

SWEET

Creme Fraiche + Fig Leaf Cheesecake

Hojicha – Rye – Honey

Sauternes, Chateau Laville, France 2022

 

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The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 8th September 2025

The Staff Canteen Live 2025: exclusive networking lunch for Lightspeed