Be a friendly face and always say thank you: how Market Place Food Hall became a top six Best Place to Work

Be a familiar face

Hilton says she maintains close relationships with teams at all locations and regularly interacts with staff, which has enabled her to become a familiar, trusted face. In her marketing role, Hilton often talks to employees to create social media content, and she used those interactions to promote the survey and ensure it was front and centre of employees’ minds. 

Build that trust

When speaking to the team about the survey, Hilton stressed that anonymity and privacy were guaranteed, which helped encourage participation and meant employees felt safe to provide genuine feedback. 

The company also clearly communicated the purpose of the survey, emphasising its importance for both company growth and employee wellbeing. As Hilton says: “Brief the managers, brief your team. Tell them what this is about, make everybody part of it and help them believe in it as much as you do.”

Make participation easy 

There was no expectation for staff to complete the survey outside their working hours. Hilton says she encouraged staff to find five minutes during their shift to complete it during quieter periods. She believes this acknowledgement increased uptake in completing the survey.

For those who couldn’t participate, due to sickness or annual leave, the business placed no pressure or obligation on them to do so. 

A thank you goes a long way

Never underestimate the power of a thank you. Hilton says that whenever someone completed the survey, they were personally thanked for doing so. And then, after the survey closed, they went back to everyone and thanked them again, reinforcing that their efforts were valued. 

Create a feedback culture

The food hall operator has fostered a culture where employee career ambitions are listened to and acted upon. Hilton says the business will ask employees constructive career questions, such as: “What is it you need? What can we be doing to motivate you? Do you need more hours? Would you like fewer hours? Would you like to be on the floor more or behind the bar? Or is there an area of the business where you would like to grow and know more about?”

That open dialogue, she explains, is “really important for experience and growth”, but it also builds trust. When employees see their feedback can shape their roles and progression, they’re far more willing to share their honest views in the Best Places to Work survey.

How to enter the Best Places to Work in Hospitality

The Caterer’s Best Places to Work in Hospitality is designed to identify brilliant businesses by asking the people who truly know – the employees.

When you enter the award, your employees will be sent an email from Korero with a link to the survey, plus a sample email of how to ask your employees to participate. The survey will ask them what characteristics make a best place to work for them, against which they mark you, their employer, as well as giving them the opportunity to write their own comments. 

The survey should take about five minutes to complete (it’s anonymous and is treated in complete confidence). 

To enter, visit the Best Places to Work in Hospitality website and login to complete your company details.

An overall score will be generated from your results, which will enable The Caterer and Korero to identify the top 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality.

Those who make the top 30 will be invited to attend the People Summit in May 2026, when the winners of the top 30 along with some individual award winners will be announced. The top six employers will also be invited to enter the Best Employer Award at the 2026 Cateys.