Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie, co-founders of critically-acclaimed Oklava, have launched a hospitality consultancy business, Quince + Co. Drawing on their combined 32 years of experience in the industry, Quince + Co will not only help to bring some of the UK’s most interesting hospitality concepts to life, but also make sure they are commercially savvy and viable within the ever-changing climate of the industry.
With first-hand knowledge of the real struggles that hospitality businesses are met with, the two partners will guide new concepts from start to finish; from the initial creation of the idea, through to practical training and financial planning to help new and established businesses reach their goals.
Selin and Laura have worked with some of the industry's leading chefs and groups - including Peter Gordon, the Salt Yard group and Waitrose, amongst others - and built their Oklava brand from the ground up. Quince + Co is the next step in their journey and will combine their first-hand experience with their trademark conscientiousness which has seen them become industry leaders.
Quince + Co will provide aspiring restaurants with Selin’s expertise deployed into menu development, chef training and kitchen management. And Laura will use her detailed experience to lead businesses through operational challenges, front-of-house training and wine consultancy, with training programmes from both partners designed with hospitality launches, relaunches, and revivals in mind.
On the launch, Christie says: ‘The last few years have challenged the hospitality industry like never before with Brexit and the pandemic shaking our foundations. Despite it all, Selin and I have come out the other side fully convinced of the potential and the staying power of hospitality. We want to collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs that see that potential too, working with them to launch projects and develop concepts that will move this industry forward.’
Kiazim adds: ‘Working for other chefs and companies, as well as building Oklava together, was the best learning school Laura and I could have wished for. At times it was tough and we were forced to challenge ingrained biases and preconceptions that we know others have faced too, but we have come away with on-the-ground experience and a desire to do things differently. We’re excited to pour all of this into Quince + Co and help other entrepreneurs and companies develop and build beautiful, durable concepts.’
