The session titled ‘Managing Mental Health at Christmas: Practical Strategies for Hospitality Professionals’ was delivered by Andrea Zick, a Craft Guild of Chefs member and featured practical tools designed to support well-being during the industry’s busiest time of year.

The event opened with a warm welcome from Andy Ashton, DE&I lead at the Craft Guild of Chefs, who thanked Evolve Hospitality for hosting and highlighted the importance of mental health within the sector.

He introduced Mel from Kelly’s Cause, a trained Mental Health First Aider with extensive hospitality experience. Mel emphasised that mental health exists on a spectrum and that recovery and resilience are not only possible, but achievable with the right support.

Aston said: “Mental health is a shared responsibility. By prioritising well-being and creating supportive environments, the hospitality industry can ensure its people not only survive the festive season—but truly thrive.”

Attendees explored accessible, science-backed strategies including:

• Box Breathing – A simple, effective technique to regulate the nervous system.
• Micro-Breaks – Small, restorative pauses such as five minutes of dancing, turning off your phone, or listening to calming audio.
• The S.W.E.E.B.S. Framework – A holistic approach to: Sleep, Water, Eating well, Exercise, Breathe & Seek support

Mel also presented the ‘Stress Container’ model, encouraging participants to identify what overwhelms them and what ‘release valves’ they can rely on—whether yoga, long walks, cooking, music, or volunteering. These activities form a personalised Menu of Options for self-care.

Participants were encouraged to categorise challenges into Control, Influence, and Accept. This simple framework helps reduce anxiety by clarifying where individuals can genuinely make an impact—such as personal finances or job-hunting—while accepting larger external factors beyond their control.

In a profession renowned for long hours and high pressure, self-care is essential, not indulgent. The workshop encouraged hospitality professionals to:

• Identify personal triggers
• Prepare calm, proactive responses
• Build supportive networks and communicate their needs
• Maintain healthy boundaries and keep support resources close at hand

Recognising that Christmas is not universally joyful, leaders were urged to create breathing space for teams, share mental health resources, and foster cultural awareness. With many professionals navigating a dynamic job market, attendees were also encouraged to check in with past colleagues—small gestures that can make a big difference.

Participants were reminded to signpost specific, relevant help including: Samaritans, Shout 85258, Mind, Cruse, Beat, Switchboard, No Panic, Smart Recovery, and Frank.

The Craft Guild of Chefs’ Wellness team continues to create safe, engaging spaces for chefs to explore wellbeing — from physical health and mental resilience to nutrition, equity, and inclusion. A programme of events for 2026 will be available soon.