Bakery and biscuit brand finds perfect hire in minutes

For many catering and event businesses, hiring short-term staff can be one of the most stressful and time-consuming challenges they face.

Traditional recruitment methods often take weeks, while events and customer-facing opportunities rarely allow that kind of lead time.

It’s a frustration felt across the UK with the average time to hire for many roles in catering now being four weeks, with 55% of employers citing “time pressure to fill open roles” as a major challenge.

At the same time, the gig economy continues to expand rapidly, with research from the TUC showing around 4.4 million people in England and Wales now working for gig platforms at least once a week. Yet for many businesses, connecting quickly and confidently with the right people remains a struggle.

That’s why Lisa Shepherd, founder of The Biskery, an artisan baker, chocolate and biscuit brand renowned for its pop-ups and immersive foodie experiences, turned to Pioneering People when she faced a staffing gap at short notice. With a busy, customer-facing event looming, she needed someone who could step in and represent the brand with confidence.

To her surprise, the solution took just minutes. “I couldn’t believe how easy it was,” says Lisa. “We were under pressure to find someone who could represent The Biskery with confidence, and within minutes I had found the perfect fit. It gave me real hope that hiring for events doesn’t have to be complicated.”

For Lisa, having quick access to trusted event staff meant she could focus on what mattered most: ensuring her customers had the best possible experience.

Rita Kastrati, CEO of Pioneering People, believes this is exactly what the platform was built to achieve. “Lisa’s experience captures exactly what we’re all about, making short-term hiring positive, fast, and empowering for businesses. It’s about giving owners confidence that they can find the right person without the stress.”

In an employment landscape, where hiring often drags on for weeks and leaves both businesses and workers frustrated, Lisa’s experience shows another way. With the right tools, bringing in skilled staff for gigs or events can be simple, fast, and successful, helping businesses like The Biskery create standout experiences for their customers without the recruitment headache.