Matthew Mawtus, (Class of ‘03), Food & Beverage Director at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, returned to the College recently to share his incredible journey in the hospitality industry with S6 pupils. His story however, didn’t begin in the classroom but on the playing field. “In truth, I was never the most academic, but the teamwork and discipline required for rugby and cross-country gave me a great foundation” Matthew explained.  This mindset of hard work and determination has been a constant theme throughout Matthew’s career. 

Matthew explained that everybody has an ability and that a little support and encouragement can go a long way in nurturing and motivating a young mind. Matthew’s passion for hospitality began early, growing up in a home where his half-Italian mother’s love for cooking made the kitchen the heart of the house.

Coached and encouraged by Dr Graham, his Chemistry teacher at RGC, Matthew went on to study Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management at Strathclyde University’s Scottish Hotel School, thriving in the hands-on environment. His career began locally with roles at Albyn Hospital and Commis Chef at Milton of Crathes, followed by working at a mobile bar catering weddings and events. 

Matthew shared “After just 30 minutes of working at Milton of Crathes, I knew I had found my calling in hospitality.” He learned the value of teamwork during these early jobs, a principle that continues to influence his leadership today, as he manages 200 staff across three sites.

Matthew’s next move was to The Glasgow Hilton, where he worked in their busy brasserie, handling up to 600 covers per sitting. When an opportunity arose in their fine dining restaurant, Matthew eagerly took it.  His love for fine dining deepened after tasting his first vintage Château d'Yquem, an experience that solidified his passion for food and wine.

After completing the Hilton Graduate Programme, Matthew realised that his heart lay not in the stock takes and spreadsheets of the back office, but on the floor with customers, food, and wine. A twist of fate led to an interview with Gordon Ramsey and subsequent trial at Claridge's. Despite spilling wine on every table during his initial trial, Matthew’s commitment and determination shone through. Ten days later, at the age of 21, he started as a Junior Sommelier at the iconic hotel. At Claridge’s, Matthew worked long hours, serving high-profile guests and refining his skills in food and wine pairing. His hard work paid off when he was nominated for the "UK Young Waiter of the Year" award, eventually winning it after receiving advice from judge John Cousins to believe in himself. This victory was a turning point in Matthew’s career.

Matthew’s next role was as Assistant Sommelier at a small restaurant in South Kensington, which soon led to his promotion to Head Sommelier, where he managed a list of over 900 wines. Two years later, he became Front of House Manager at 1 Lombard Street, before taking on an Operations Director role and later becoming General Manager at Berners Tavern. However, after almost a year, Matthew realised the hotel industry wasn’t the right fit for him and moved to Pollen Street Social where he  reached a significant milestone, winning the prestigious GQ Front of House Manager of the Year award while working with Jason Atherton’s five-rosette team. After two years at the restaurant, Matthew decided to take a three-month break to travel around South East Asia and Australia, an experience he believes offered invaluable personal growth and perspective.

Upon his return, Matthew was headhunted by Hedonism Wines, where he joined in 2018, overseeing operations for Hide - a Michelin-starred restaurant with the largest wine list in the UK. When Hedonism Wines expanded with Hideaway in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges. Matthew and his team adapted by launching Hide at Home, offering Michelin-starred meals to customers’ homes, which helped retain staff and maintain customer connections during the difficult period.

Matthew’s career journey exemplifies resilience and entrepreneurship. His story is a testament to the power of hard work, passion, and dedication. A career in hospitality has provided him with global opportunities, helping him build social skills, connect with people, and indulge his love for great food and wine. We are incredibly proud of the path Matthew has taken and are grateful that he shared his inspiring story with our S6 pupils as part of the S6 Speaker Series.