A community working to make
hospitality work places better
Why Countertalk exists and what we’re here to do.
The story so far
Hospitality thrives when people have access to knowledge, good workplaces and a community built on shared values. Countertalk was founded to bridge gaps, raise standards and make high-quality information accessible across the industry.
We believe in fairness, clarity, and the power of small, steady improvements that make workplaces better for everyone.
Our mission: To raise standards across hospitality by:
- connecting people with high-quality job opportunities
- providing clear, trusted knowledge
- championing healthy workplace culture
- building a community grounded in values, good practice and professional respect
Countertalk began in 2018 as a simple idea: to shine a light on great hospitality workplaces and connect people who genuinely cared about the craft. What started as an Instagram page quickly became something far bigger — a trusted resource, a professional network, and a respected voice shaping the expectations of modern hospitality.
Built by people who have spent their careers in kitchens, dining rooms and creative studios, Countertalk understands the realities of the industry in a way few platforms do. We’ve lived the long hours, the pressure, the passion and the pride. That experience shapes everything we do: the jobs we list, the knowledge we publish, the conversations we start and the standards we champion.
Over the years, Countertalk has become a cornerstone of independent hospitality. Employers look to us because they know our audience is engaged, skilled and committed to good practice. Employees trust us because we only promote workplaces that meet clear values around fairness, clarity and professionalism. And across the industry, Countertalk has become known as a reliable, honest voice — one that cuts through noise, speaks plainly and keeps standards high.
Today, Countertalk is recognised as the most respected platform of its kind in independent hospitality:
- a place where businesses find people who truly understand the craft
- a place where hospitality professionals access clear, practical knowledge
- a place where conversations start, ideas spread and expectations rise
We are proud to be an unmatched resource for both employers and employees — bridging gaps, setting standards and helping shape a future where great hospitality and great workplaces go hand in hand.
Rav Gill, Founder
Rav Gill built Countertalk from first-hand industry experience. After completing a Psychology degree, she entered hospitality with no network and worked her way from commis to head pastry chef in some of London’s most demanding kitchens. Those years on the pass shaped her understanding of what strong teams look like, why clarity and fairness matter, and what it takes to create workplaces people want to stay in.
She founded Countertalk in 2018 to bring those principles to everyone in our industry, no matter their network or experience. Under her leadership, it has become one of the most respected voices in independent hospitality — a trusted resource for employers who value culture and for professionals who want clear, reliable opportunities and insight.
Rav continues to shape the industry conversation with honesty, pragmatism, lived expertise — and a huge dose of fun. These are qualities that sit at the heart of Countertalk today.