In Episode 2 of The Set Menu, Tony Matters speaks with Heleri Rande, Senior Partner at Think Hospitality, whose international career spans finance, hospitality consulting, publishing and strategic advisory.
Heleri talks about her journey from Estonia to New York, London and Switzerland, and how early experiences in service eventually brought her back to hospitality. Drawing on projects and experiences around the world, she explores why the strongest hospitality concepts begin with clarity — understanding what they are, who they are for and why they exist.
The conversation moves on to the challenges of scaling hospitality brands, the importance of culture and leadership, and why simplicity can sometimes be more powerful than constantly adding to a concept. Looking ahead, Heleri also considers AI, the growing shortage of operational talent and why the human side of hospitality may ultimately become more valuable, not less.
The Set Menu is a podcast exploring the people, ideas and thinking shaping hospitality.


View Heleri's website ⁠here⁠: https://thinkhospitality.co.uk/

The Set Menu is hosted by Tony Matters, Creative Director of Faber and Company. Explore Faber’s work in hospitality design at ⁠faber.design⁠.