Interview with Jess Locock, Recruitment Coordinator at Ottolenghi

We chat to Jess Locock, Recruitment Coordinator at Ottolenghi. Jess joined the hospitality industry in November 2023, right before the opening of Ottolenghi's Hampstead site, bringing a fresh perspective and a deep passion for delicious food and drinks. Transitioning from her previous role as a recruitment consultant, Jess shares her journey and insights into the world of hospitality.

Tell us about your first job in hospitality? 

This is my first job in hospitality, I started with Ottolenghi in November just before we opened our Hampstead site at Christmas time in 2023. Before working for Ottolenghi group, I was a recruitment consultant for an agency but with my passion for tasty food and drinks, I thought what better way to enjoy my job, being surrounded by delicious food and passionate people.

Has there been anyone who’s stood out as being a major influence on your career?

As cliche as it sounds, it has to be my parents because they have always pushed me to be my best and are my biggest supporters. They have both sacrificed a lot to make my life better and as I was growing up, they taught me the morals and values that I still keep today. 

What skills do you think you need to be successful in hospitality?

Customer service, excellent communication skills and good time management. 

What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed in people’s expectations of working within hospitality?

I have been working in hospitality for less than a year so I haven’t personally experienced massive change but I think lots of people are looking for a job with guest experience. Many restaurants and bars are lacking that one on one experience. 

Why should someone choose your business to work for? 

We offer life-long career opportunities, many of our staff work their way up the ladder and progress into other areas of the business. Over 20 years, we have become a proud family of delis and restaurants and each of them are different in their own way. If working with vibrant food, delicious wines and warm hospitality sounds good then Ottolenghi is definitely the answer. 

What advice would you offer to someone coming to interview for a job in your business?

I would say talk about your aspirations because it shows that you are passionate about what you do. It also shows that you have plans to grow within the company and this is really important for us as we like to promote success. 

What are you most excited about for the year ahead?

There are lots of different things to be excited about but I am most excited about how the business is planning to grow over the next few years. 

What’s your worst vs best experience working in hospitality?

I cannot answer for my worst experience but opening our Bicester site was something I feel really proud to be a part of. I spent many weekends in Oxford holding recruitment days and meeting lots of new people.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone working in hospitality who wants to be successful? 

Stay passionate about what you love. There will always be tough days but brighter days always come. If you want to work your way up, invest your heart into the business.

You can find out more about Ottolenghi and browse their latest vacancies here.

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