Ep 255 - Rebuilding a pub to be magical again with Rebecca Feingold from Goldy’s Tavern Today, we're revisiting an episode that received fantastic feedback. Join us as we chat with Rebecca Feingold, the passionate owner of Goldy's Tavern, a pub that truly captures the magic of creating long-lasting friendships. Rebecca shares her remarkable journey in the hospitality industry, from her background in marketing and design to almost starting a health-focused food van. We dive into her experience...

Ep 254 - Evolving a loved cafe brand with so much heritage Jets (Anita) Langlands from LaMarzocco In this episode, we're revisiting a fan-favorite conversation with Jets Langlands from La Marzocco, where we explore the evolution of a beloved cafe brand with a rich heritage. Jets takes us on a journey as she shares her early experiences in the industry and her deep love for coffee. We discuss the enduring appeal of the La Marzocco brand within the cafe industry and its iconic status among...

Ep 253 - Creating Unique Dining Experiences and Adapting to Change: A Conversation with Restaurateur Howin Chui and Chef Chase Kojima from Senpai Concepts Prepare to dive into an exhilarating conversation as we join Chef Chase Kojima and Howin Chui in an engaging podcast episode. These two dynamic individuals share their journey, their unique partnership, and their unwavering passion for innovation in the culinary world. Chase and Howin discuss the impact of social media on their business,...

Ep 252 - Growth, Expansion, and Fatherhood, a Conversation with Kieran Spiteri from Yolk.Group Brace yourselves for a stimulating conversation today as we welcome back a familiar face, Kieran Spiteri, known to many of you as the driving force behind Melbourne's acclaimed café, Terror Twilight. His plate has been full, navigating his expanding business, initiating new ventures, and still finding time to perfect the art of a great coffee. Today, we delve into many subjects: the emergence of...

Ep 251 - Championing Change: Navigating Inclusion, Diversity, and Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry with Jazmin Bornholdt from Ibis Sydney Thornleigh Welcome to another exciting episode! We're hanging out with Jazmin Bornholdt today. She's not just your ordinary Operations Manager at Ibis Sydney Thornleigh; she's also an Asia Pacific Inclusion & Diversity Member for Accor Hotels. Jazmin's brings her wealth of experience in the trifecta of hospitality, inclusion, and...

Ep 250 - Uncovering the power of people, mental health, and embracing change with acclaimed chef Telina Menzies This week we are thrilled to have Telina Menzies joining us. With a wealth of experience and expertise in the hospitality sector, Telina has been instrumental in driving change and fostering a positive work environment they work in.  In this episode, we will be discussing a range of topics, including people development, mental health and team culture, self-sustainability, and...

Ep 249 - From Pandemic to Pastry Powerhouse: The Tarts Anon Tale with Gareth Whitton from Tarts Anon  Join your host, Leon Kennedy, as he sits down with the elite operators of the culinary world. In today's episode, we have a special guest who embodies the essence of a high-performance chef. If there were a West Point equivalent for chefs, he would be a two-time graduate. A pastry maestro who turns fine dining into art in tart shells, we are delighted to have Gareth Whitton, the founder of...

Bonus Ep - UNPACK: Changes to packaging and the impact on supply, design and roll-out - A panel discussion for the hospitality industry  Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast where we delve deep into the world of packaging design and sustainability. Our panel discussion today is inspired by a theme that resonates with us all - transparency. Brought to you by Principle Design, we're exploring how to change an industry and consumer behaviours alike as we all step towards a more...

Ep 248 - Unleashing the Future of Hospitality through Innovation and Cutting-Edge Technology with Colin Birney from Square  This week we are discussing the latest trends and insights in the hospitality industry. Today, we're excited to have Colin Birney as our guest.  For the last four years, Colin has been the Head of Business Development for Square in Australia, where he helps small businesses grow and thrive through innovative technology solutions. In this episode, we'll discuss the future...

Ep 247 -A Flavorful Journey through Authentic Mexican Cuisine with the Visionaries Behind It with Beatrice and Daniel Pineda from Superchido and CDMX Our guests this week are from the exciting Superchido and CDMX brands, both are authentic Mexican restaurants in Melbourne that are making waves for its delicious cuisine and unique brand story. Joining us are Daniel and Beatrice Pineda, two of the amazing people behind this innovative venture. Together, we'll dive into the secrets of their...

Bonus Ep - Worksmith Events - Who is in control of your venue’s narrative? We're back with our Worksmith Community talk on a topic that can make or break a business. In the ever-changing landscape of social media, we look to explore the role of journalists, PR companies and influencers within the hospitality industry - and how to equip venues to deal with them. Is it worth playing the game of controlling your narrative? Has it already been decided for you? Can you pivot in an established...

Ep 246 - Building a Greener Future: Expert Insights on Sustainable Event Consulting with Director of Frank Wild Marky Rochford This week we're excited to have Marky Rochford, the Director of Frank Wild, a sustainable event management brand that has made a name for itself in the hospitality industry. With a focus on reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices, Frank Wild is a leader in the industry, and we're eager to learn more about the brand's philosophy and success. In this podcast...

Ep 245 - Pancakes before everything, an exceptional Sydney cafe with a focus on branding with Chris Theodosi from Happyfield  This week we sit down with Chris Theodosi who is the co-owner of the popular Sydney cafe, Happyfield.  Happyfield is known for its delicious coffee, delicious pancakes, and beautiful atmosphere, and we're excited to learn more about the brand's success and what makes it stand out in the hospitality industry. In this podcast we discuss… -What inspired Chris and Jesse to...

Ep 244 -Innovative Hospitality Design and Branding: Trends, Marketing, and Practical Advice for Businesses with Jes Egan from Principle Design This week we are excited to have Jes Egan the General Manager of Principle Design, a hospitality design and branding agency.  Principle Design has a wealth of experience in the industry, with a focus on creating innovative and memorable experiences for guests through design and branding. In this podcast we discuss:  -How Jes started out in the design...

Ep 243- Managing to move forward as the wall is literally crashing down next to you with Managing Director of The North Spoon Gareth Naar. Located north in Sydney’s CBD in McMahons Point, The North Spoon is a neighbourhood favourite cafe by day and event-come function space at night. Famed for its Italian nights.  From its humble beginnings in 2017 it has grown into a favourite spot for many in the local area.  It is committed to using seasonal and locally grown produce from NSW artisans,...

Ep 242 - Understanding your dream to create different hospitality experiences with Michael Rantissi & Kristy Frawley from Kepos Street Kitchen  Since opening their now-institutional venue Kepos Street Kitchen in 2012, Michael Rantissi and Kristy Frawley have gone on to open a 2nd location, establish a catering company and release 2 top-selling cookbooks. That’s not to say it was all plain sailing: “Do you know what’s a funny thing? We've actually, between the two restaurants, been broken...

Worksmith Community Talks - MCF Symposium - Pt 3 - THE GREAT DEABATE: There is a future for non-alcoholic spirits with Matt Jones from Four Pillars, Charlie Lehmann from Ramblin' Rascal, Rachael Niall from Tomorrow on Tap and Cara Devine from Bomba. Please find our guest information here: Website: https://worksmith.io/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worksmith.io/ Please find us here at POH: Website: https://principleofhospitality.com/ Instagram:...

Ep 241 - Discover the difference between training and coaching and how effective onboarding can retain talent with Chris Firinauskas, Transformational Coach & 42 Days In this week’s podcast we have an amazing facilitator and transformational coach in the hospitality industry,  a company that specializes in hospitality onboarding and training. With years of experience in the industry, Chris Firinauskas has a wealth of knowledge on best practices for ensuring that new employees are set up...

Worksmith Community Talks - MCF Symposium - Pt 2 - Why do we need more Australian Spirits on the Speed Rail with Will Edwards from Archie Rose and Kate Rowlands from Never Never Distilling Co. Taking place on Tuesday, March 28th at Music Market in Collingwood, Melbourne, and in its 3rd year, the trade-focused Symposium will tackle pressing concerns, issues, and stories to celebrate within the bar and hospitality industry. Please find our guest information here: Website: ...

Ep 240 -When you share rather than just give, everyone benefits from renowned chef, hospitality teacher, and restaurateur Daman Shrivastav  Starting off as a chef apprentice in 1981, this week’s guest Daman Shrivastav is the owner of India @ Q by DDs Kitchen in Kew, chef trainer at Box Hill Tafe, and charity food facilitator. Daman has established himself as one the most respected chefs and has worked all over the world to develop his craft. His restaurant, India @ Q by DDs Kitchen, is known...

The MCF Symposium is an annual event that brings together leading figures in the Australian hospitality industry for a day of thought-provoking talks, engaging panels, and practical workshops. It provides a platform for industry professionals to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another. One of the standout sessions from the symposium was the keynote presentation, "New Year, New Me – One Year of Caretaker’s Cottage." Rob Libecans, one of the owners of Caretakers Cottage, shared...

Ep 239 - From Humble Beginnings to Household Name: The Chick-fil-A Story with Alex Seale, and Executive Director from Chick-fil-a Today, we have a very special guest with us, someone who is behind one of North America’s most popular and beloved fast-food chains. Executive Director Alex Seale joins us from the brand Chick-fil-A. With a mission to serve delicious and high-quality food, Chick-fil-a has created a menu that is not only delicious but also packed with options for everyone, from...

Ep 238 - Brewed for the Mindful Drinker: Discovering the Rise of Lightning Minds Beer with founder Michael Payne Today, we have an extraordinary guest with us, someone brewing up something truly special in the world of craft beer.  Joining us from the brand Lightning Minds beer is the founder Michael Payne. With a passion for craft beer, the team have created a beer that is not only delicious but also unique, and thoughtfully crafted. From their signature Pale Ale, Lightning Minds beer is...

Ep 237 - Fresh Takes on Healthy Eating: Meet the Salad Revolutionaries with the co-founder of GreenStreet, Jackson McGrath With a mission to provide fresh, delicious, and healthy salads to people on the go, Jackson and Jesse McGrath have created a line of salads that are not only delicious but also packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and other beneficial ingredients.  From their signature ‘OG Salad’ to their seasonal salads, GreenStreet is quickly becoming a popular destination for those...

Ep 236 -Transforming Lives Through Hospitality: Autumn Scarf '23 season of dinners with Hannah Brennan from Scarf & Laura Boulton from Cassette. Scarf Community is on a mission to support young people who face barriers to work, and their organisation has created a program that provides training and job opportunities in the hospitality industry. Through their innovative model of partnering with restaurants to provide awesome training, mentoring and paid work experience, Scarf has offered a...