I think nothing typifies modern-English lifestyle-luxury hospitality more than the quirky The PIG hotels. Every property is a unique gem, converted from a really-old private house or pub and made into quintessential luxury for 2021. Expect a great bed and shower, and public areas that offer upcycled furnishings, living potplants on your dining table and the best local-produce food – plus a working garden to die for.  My guest this week on MARY GOSTELOW GIRLAHEAD PODCAST is the conductor of all this, Robin Hutson.

For my 100th episode I really wanted to get a bit of an industry super star in my eyes.  Robin Hutson has been on my list of people I’ve wanted to chat to since day one of launch.  

I live within a pretty easy cycle of two of Robin’s PIG hotels - Pig on the Beach in Studland and Pig in the Forest in Brockenhurst.  I LOVE what Robin has created.  

I’ve seen Robin talk at a couple of hotel events and in essence he just knows his stuff.  He oozes common sense and his attention to detail is exemplary.  His venues have plenty of open grounds, an awesome kitchen garden supplying the kitchen with exceptional seasonal produce, relaxed ambience and surroundings, good food and wonderfully designed venues, but not pretentious.  It really is just a great business and his occupancy figures and margins are the envy of many a competitor.

They say never meet your heroes, and I was worried having finally organised a meeting I’d be disappointed.  But Robin was generous with his time, enthusiastic with his stories and I felt privileged to get to poke and prod at one of our hospitality greats in his own venue.  

So there could not really be a more fitting person for my 100th show.  A genuine human of hospitality.

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Alexandra speaks to Robin Hutson. Robin is a British hotelier, listed by The Caterer as the UK's second most powerful. Hutson started his career with Claridge's, as a waiter. He then moved to the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, and was appointed general manager of Chewton Glen at 28 years old.

In 1994, Hutson co-founded the Hotel du Vin chain with Gerard Basset. In 2004, they sold the company for £66 million, and Robin has since started The Pig venture. His new book The Pig: Tales and Recipes from the Kitchen Garden and Beyond is out now

Come for Supper sees host Alexandra Dudley sit down with artists, actors, authors and chefs to discuss how they like to serve supper. In the show we learn about the guest’s culinary tips, tales and disasters whilst learning a little about their life along the way. From their dream dinner party guests, to their kitchen essentials, we dive deep into the world of food and the joy of having people come for supper.

This is a Studio71 production. 

Producer - Jack Claramunt 

Exec Producer - Tom Payne & Jody Smith

Production Support - Phie McKenzie

Created by Alexandra Dudley

Studio71 is a Red Arrow Studios Company.

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Today's episode is all about working your way up the foodchain -- almost literally, in fact. In a special edition of the show, we speak to three men who have started at the bottom of the hospitality industry and worked their way to the very top: Robin Hutson, the father of the 'boutique hotel'; Kurt Zdesar, who brought Nobu to London; and Rupert Clevely, founder of Geronimo Inns.

Our thanks to Mark's Club, Mayfair, for playing hosts.