Hospitality Insight with The SilverFox – Real Talk from the Frontlines of the Industry

If you’re serious about understanding the real hospitality industry—not the polished version you see on TV—then Hospitality Insights with The SilverFox is a podcast worth your time.

Hosted by industry veteran Stephen Hickmore, this podcast dives deep into the truth behind restaurants, hotels, culinary careers, and the evolving business of hospitality. It’s insightful, sometimes controversial, and always grounded in real-world experience.

Across recent episodes, The SilverFox tackles some of the most pressing and often misunderstood topics in hospitality:

• The hidden economics of restaurants – why dining out feels expensive, yet many restaurants struggle to make profit
• Restaurant secrets operators don’t tell you – a behind-the-scenes look at how the industry really works
• The rise of celebrity chefs and food media – and whether the industry is shifting from professionals to performers
• Changing career expectations in hospitality – why the next generation is rethinking the traditional path
• Industry trends and innovations – from technology to shifting consumer behaviour

Each episode blends practical insight, opinion, and storytelling, making it valuable for:

• Hospitality students
• Industry professionals
• Restaurant owners and managers
• Anyone curious about how the business really operates

Why It Stands Out

Unlike many hospitality podcasts, Hospitality Insight with The SilverFox doesn’t sugar-coat the industry. It speaks directly from the trenches—covering:

• The financial realities of running a restaurant
• The pressures on chefs and operators
• The gap between perception and reality in hospitality careers

It’s honest, relevant, and highly relatable—especially in today’s rapidly changing market.

Final Thought

If you want real insight, not recycled advice, this podcast delivers a refreshing and necessary perspective on the hospitality industry.

Whether you’re building a career, running a business, or simply passionate about food and service—this is content that will make you think differently.

Stephen Hickmore

Stephen is a hospitality professional from Johannesburg South Africa. His career started with THF hotels in the UK and subsequently with the Southern Sun Hotel group in Johannesburg. Stephen’s first steps into entrepreneurship was Hickmore Recruitment / CareerMap,  a leading supplier of Senior and Exec recruitment services.  Stephen was a founder  of Pple Hospitality (formerly HSC) the largest Hospitality Industry full-service outsourced staffing company in South Africa. In March 2020 Stephen became a director and owner of the Swiss Hotel School South Africa, which is now his full time passion.

SHS – Institute of Hospitality Management

SHS – Institute of Culinary Arts

Stephen writes for a number of publications on food and hospitality industry matters, trends and opinions. He also hosts a Podcast on Spotify “Hospitality Insight with The SilverFox”