In this episode, we’ve captured the keynote address, where we hear from Chris Lucas, CEO of Lucas Restaurants; Con Christopoulos, the industry veteran behind such defining Melbourne venues as The European, The Melbourne Supper Club and Siglo; and Lyndon Kubis, a rising star in Melbourne’s wine bar scene, and the founder of the Diggin’ in the Cellar. Guiding the conversation is Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food + Drink Victoria and the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Together, they share candid insights on creativity, resilience, and what it takes to keep a hospitality business relevant and thriving. We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula.

In this episode, we&rsquo;ve captured the keynote address, where we hear from Chris Lucas, CEO of Lucas Restaurants; Con Christopoulos, the industry veteran behind such defining Melbourne venues as The European, The Melbourne Supper Club and Siglo; and Lyndon Kubis, a rising star in Melbourne&rsquo;s wine bar scene, and the founder of the Diggin&rsquo; in the Cellar. Guiding the conversation is Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food + Drink Victoria and the Melbourne Food &amp; Wine Festival. Together, they share candid insights on creativity, resilience, and what it takes to keep a hospitality business relevant and thriving. We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula.

Hospitality Now, presented by Melbourne Food & Wine and the Victorian Government, is a forum for food and drink professionals who want to learn, polish or share the skills needed to survive and thrive in the toughest market the trade has ever seen. This is not a forum to debate abstract theories or commiserate on how things used to be. It’s focused on the realities of doing business right now – on how to get customers through the door and how to make money – and the opportunities the immediate future holds for this business that we all love and believe in.  

Hospitality Now, presented by Melbourne Food &amp; Wine and the Victorian Government, is a forum for food and drink professionals who want to learn, polish or share the skills needed to survive and thrive in the toughest market the trade has ever seen. This is not a forum to debate abstract theories or commiserate on how things used to be. It&rsquo;s focused on the realities of doing business right now &ndash; on how to get customers through the door and how to make money &ndash; and the opportunities the immediate future holds for this business that we all love and believe in.

Hospitality Now

Keynote Address 

In this episode, Tomorrow’s Customer Today, we look at Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are not just the customers of tomorrow, but already a major influence on how hospitality works today. 

On the panel: Kantaro Okada, director of the Tsunagu Project bringing Japanese culture into Melbourne dining at the likes of 279, Sebastian kakigori and Chiaki; Kelsie Gaffey, founder of Gracie’s Wine Room and digital storyteller; and Tess Stewart, PR and Marketing Manager at HQ Group, home to Arbory, Afloat and HER. Hosted by Renee Buckingham, the discussion explores what younger diners want, how to reach them authentically, and how they’re shaping hospitality as both customers and employees.

We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Let’s dig in.

In this episode, Tomorrow&rsquo;s Customer Today, we look at Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are not just the customers of tomorrow, but already a major influence on how hospitality works today.&nbsp;
On the panel: Kantaro Okada, director of the Tsunagu Project bringing Japanese culture into Melbourne dining at the likes of 279, Sebastian kakigori and Chiaki; Kelsie Gaffey, founder of Gracie&rsquo;s Wine Room and digital storyteller; and Tess Stewart, PR and Marketing Manager at HQ Group, home to Arbory, Afloat and HER. Hosted by Renee Buckingham, the discussion explores what younger diners want, how to reach them authentically, and how they&rsquo;re shaping hospitality as both customers and employees.
We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Let&rsquo;s dig in.

Tomorrow's Customer Today

This episode is all about uncovering Unconventional Wisdom. In it we explore new and different models for hospitality — and what happens when you step off the traditional path.

Our panel includes Caterina Borsato, proprietor of the celebrated Melbourne restaurant Caterina’s Cucina e Bar; Sophie McIntyre, founder of Club Sup, a modern supper club building community through shared meals; and Zoe Birch, chef, co-owner and one of two staff members of Greasy Zoe’s, a restaurant that, despite being tiny and located on the fringe of metro Melbourne in Hurstbridge, has won major accolades and draws attention from diners from around the world, and is hosted by Pat Nourse, Creative Director of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Let’s go.

This episode is all about uncovering Unconventional Wisdom. In it we explore new and different models for hospitality &mdash; and what happens when you step off the traditional path.
Our panel includes Caterina Borsato, proprietor of the celebrated Melbourne restaurant Caterina&rsquo;s Cucina e Bar; Sophie McIntyre, founder of Club Sup, a modern supper club building community through shared meals; and Zoe Birch, chef, co-owner and one of two staff members of Greasy Zoe&rsquo;s, a restaurant that, despite being tiny and located on the fringe of metro Melbourne in Hurstbridge, has won major accolades and draws attention from diners from around the world, and is hosted by Pat Nourse, Creative Director of Melbourne Food &amp; Wine Festival.
We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Let&rsquo;s go.

Unconventional Wisdom 

In this episode we’re looking at the practical steps hospitality businesses can take right now to stay strong in these challenging times.

Our panel includes Fleur Studd of Market Lane Coffee and Melbourne Coffee Merchants; Nathen Doyle, one of the players behind community-focused venues such Heartattack and Vine, Sunhands and Residence; and chef Victor Liong, founder of Lee Ho Fook and new ventures Bossa Nova Sushi and SilkSpoon.

Hosted by strategist Angie Bradbury, this conversation explores team culture, customer loyalty and small wins that can have a big impact in difficult markets.

We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Let’s get into it.

In this episode we&rsquo;re looking at the practical steps hospitality businesses can take right now to stay strong in these challenging times.
Our panel includes Fleur Studd of Market Lane Coffee and Melbourne Coffee Merchants; Nathen Doyle, one of the players behind community-focused venues such Heartattack and Vine, Sunhands and Residence; and chef Victor Liong, founder of Lee Ho Fook and new ventures Bossa Nova Sushi and SilkSpoon.
Hosted by strategist Angie Bradbury, this conversation explores team culture, customer loyalty and small wins that can have a big impact in difficult markets.
We recorded this conversation live in front of an audience of hospitality professionals at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula. Let&rsquo;s get into it.

Keynote Address

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