Room for All
The Inclusion in Hospitality Podcast
Welcome to Room for All – the podcast where we dive deep into the world of inclusive employment and explore the power of creating opportunities for people with disabilities.
Andrea Comastri, CEO and co-founder of Hotel Etico, Australia’s first not for profit social enterprise hotel and Saraya O’Connell, General Manager of Hotel Etico. will be your hosts as they talk about the importance of breaking down barriers in the workplace with a particular focus on hospitality and other customer facing roles, and how businesses can lead the charge toward inclusion.
At Hotel Etico, we believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed, and we’ve made it our mission to not only provide jobs but to build meaningful careers for people with disabilities. On this podcast, we’ll be sharing success stories, best practices, and inspiring conversations with industry leaders from the hospitality sector, disability sector, other social enterprises, philanthropy and of course our own trainees graduates and staff.
Whether you’re a business owner, an advocate for inclusion, or someone curious about the future of work, this podcast is for you.
So come and join us at Hotel Etico, or as we call it…the Hotel California for the heart. A place where once you have checked in…your heart will never never leave!”
So, let’s get started and open the doors for all.
Room for All
Room For All - S2E9 - Quinn Jones
Quinn's Inspirational Journey: From Trainee to Accomplished Chef
In a special episode of 'Room For All,' hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell celebrate Andrea's birthday with an extraordinary guest, Quinn Jones. Quinn, one of the original trainees from the first intake back in 2021, shares his inspiring journey from a shy, reserved individual to a confident apprentice chef at the Fairmont. The episode delves into Quinn's unique upbringing by activist parents, his struggles and successes in various roles at Hotel Etico, and his ambitious goals, including buying multiple properties and aiming to make $100,000 a year by age 30. The emotional episode also highlights Quinn's perseverance, resilience, and continuous quest for self-improvement, making it a compelling watch filled with heartfelt moments and valuable life lessons.
00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement
01:53 Birthday Celebrations and Toasts
03:24 Meet Quinn Jones: Background and Early Life
09:30 Quinn's Education and Volunteer Work
14:39 Joining Hotel Etico and Early Impressions
27:56 Transition to Fairmont and High Tea Challenges
36:08 Starting an Apprenticeship in Commercial Cookery
36:45 Learning Process at TAFE
38:30 On-the-Job Training and Program Duration
39:34 Personal Goals and Achievements
41:46 Investing in Real Estate
44:21 Challenges and Support in Real Estate
51:20 Driving Milestones
59:00 Future Aspirations and Reflections
01:09:49 Final Reflections and Gratitude
