Shows
Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 57: Meet Jonny Massaad owner of the very popular Cake mail.Meet Jonny Massaad owner of the very popular Cake mail.
When Johnny couldn’t get a job at KFC at the age of 17 he decided to take matters into his own hands and start his own business from his garage while still at High school called Sugar high.
Sugar high focused on creating Custom cakes and although things were going great he knew he was capped with how many cakes he could make in a week.
He decided he wanted his business to grow.
...
2022-10-2638 min
Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 56: Meet Tyron Simon and Ben WilliamsonEpisode #56 now Live!
Meet Tyron Simon and Ben Williamson, owners of some of Australia’s best restaurants.
Ben And Tyron’s journey crossed paths during their hospitality careers and when the opportunity to work together came up they jumped at the chance to combine their skills and create something that hadn’t been done in Brisbane.
They opened a unique wood fire restaurant called Agnes, with a kitchen that works solely with crackling wood fire and smoke – there’s no gas or electricity. Which is unheard of in hospitality.
They also own, Same Same, Honto and the amazing Bianca restaurant and have plac...
2022-06-281h 15Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 55: Meet Anna PetridisEpisode #55 is now Live
Meet Anna Petridis former owner of Patissez.
Anna and her family have been in business and Hospitlaity their whole lives
After selling their successful school uniform business to Lowes an opportunity to open their own cafe presented itself, so they jumped at the opportunity to open a venues together.
They renovated the existing venue and the cafe Patissez was born.
Within a few months they had lines out the door ever...
2022-06-092h 26Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 54: Meet Joshua KhouryMeet Joshua Khoury, Co owner of The Rusty Rabbit.
Josh was only 19 when him and his brother decided to take over a cafe in Darlinghurst.
With limited experience in running cafes, the brothers received full support from their parents to take the risk letting them know they had their full support no matter what happened.
Although there were plenty of struggles over the next six months the brothers persisted and created one of Sydney’s funnest and best known hospitality brands
2022-05-261h 00Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 53: Meet Greg McleanEpisode 52 is now Live!
Meet Greg McLean.
Greg’s journey in hospitality started at the age of 18 when his parents bought a coffee franchise.
After spending a few years managing their store he decided to move back to the Gold Coast with no intention to ever get back into hospitality.
It didn’t take long for him to realise working for others wasn’t for him so with the support of his girlfriend they opened a small hole in the wall espresso bar in Sunshine Coast cal...
2022-03-281h 48Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 52: Meet John LazarouEpisode #52 is now Live!
Meet John lazarou,
John is one of the founders of the coffee club, which now has over 400 locations world wide.
Johns journey in hospitality started a little different to most successful hospitality operators.
At the age of 15 he left school to take on a hairdressing apprenticeship,
2 years later he quit his job and bought a existing salon, taking two of the seniors at his previous work place while still doing his apprenticeship.
He continued hairdressing for over 10 years, and had a very successful career but one of his biggest mistakes was that he was the face of th...
2022-02-081h 07Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 51: Meet Simon GloftisEpisode #51
Meet Simon Gloftis
Simon’s journey in Hospitality started in the early days as a teenager selling corn on the cob at the markets, what started as a little side job turned into a very successful business, selling over one thousand corn on the cobs in one day, earning more than some adults would earn in a week.
That market stall helped him understand business, people and working with suppliers.
At the age of 21, Simon bought a run down cafe in Nobbys beach, and created one of the first genuine espresso bars in The Gold Coast, he went on to...
2022-01-251h 24Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 50: Meet Charlie El HachemEpisode #50 is now LIVE!
Meet Charlie El Hachem, owner of Piccolo Me and Go Dark.
Charlie has seen the highs and lows of the hospitality industry, at the start of the pandemic he genuinely thought he would lose the business. He and his family worked so hard to build.
But after some dark times, Charlie changed his mindset, has turned his worst time in to his best, and when lockdown was announced this year they were ready. Not only did they su...
2021-11-041h 25Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 49: Meet Sean & MarkEpisode #49 is now Live!
Meet Sean and Mark.
Sean had a background in HR and mark spent 20 years making gelato at bar Italia which was one of the first artisan gelato shops in Sydney.
After Sean was made redundant, they decided it was time to open their own business.
After 12 months of searching and looking at multiple venues, they decided on a small space in Redfern.
And Ciccone and Sons was born.
2021-10-281h 13Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 48: Meet Lisa and ArgiEpisode: 48 is now Live!
Lisa and Argi met while working at Rashays.
Several years later they decided to take a risk on a shop in Liverpool Westfields that no one would go near and was considered a dead spot in the shopping centre.
With strong marketing, great food and service, It didn’t take long for their cafe to take off and build the reputation as one of the best cafes in Liverpool, with a social media following on instagram of over 35,000 followers.
What’s amazing about their cafe is they have no traditional commercial kitchen but have found a way to c...
2021-10-211h 06Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 47: Meet Johnathon IsrafilEpisode #47
Meet Johnathon Israfil, owner of Kerbside Creamery.
Jonathons journey in hospitality only came about when he was fired from his civil engineering job during the start of the pandemic.
He had an idea to create Sydney’s first cheesecake on a stick with your option for your favourite flavours, what started as a small set up on his front yard under a small marquee, has now turned into a very successful busienss with two food trucks, a online business and delivering all around Sydney.
With nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram kerbside creamery has developed a cult following.
Jonathons story is so ins...
2021-10-0747 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 46: Meet Chloe WattsEpisode 46
Meet Chloe Watts
Chloe was born and raised on the Gold Coast but spent several years in Sydney before heading to London for two years to work with London’s best chefs and hospitality groups.
She decided to head back to the Gold Coast, where she bought Paddock Bakery with her parents, from her brother. She has since turned it into one of Australia’s most iconic venues.
After receiving an offer she couldn’t refuse for Paddock Bakery she decided to sell, take a break and start working on her new concept.
That new concept is called Tarte Bakery, wh...
2021-09-2859 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 45: Meet Tony PantanoEpisode #45 is now live!
Meet Tony Pantano, partner and chief operating officer of @onlyhospitality.
Tony’s journey in hospitlaity started at the age of 13 working in an Italian restaurant in Lygon St, Melbourne.
After finishing high school he managed several venues while also competing his university degree.
He joined a hospitality software company called My Guest List which took him to New York, where he would later join Bluestone Lane, an Australian inspired coffee shop as general manager of their...
2021-09-281h 07Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 44: Meet Hadi ChamiEpisode #44 is now live!
Meet Hadi Chami Owner of Notorious espresso, Werribee.
Like most kids growing up in a Lebanese family business, as long as you were tall enough to see over the counter you were old enough to work in the shop.
Being the eldest, Hadi would always be there helping his family in every business they had, that included a cafe they bought in Collins St, Melbourne.
It opened his eyes to the cafe and coffee world, although it was long hours and hard work hadi loved the cafe scene.
Things were going great and the business had grown...
2021-07-081h 10Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 43: Meet Jon FordEpisode #43 is now Live!
Meet Jon Ford
Jon Ford is owner and operator of teddy picker restaurant in Werribee
Jon was born in Liverpool, England, his hospitality journey started at the age of 14 when he got his first job in a kitchen, he was instantly obsessed and knew he wanted to make a career in hospitality.
He left school at 16 and has since worked in some amazing kitchens.
After coming to Australia he met his now fiancé Krist...
2021-06-261h 41Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 42: Meet Lucia Di LucaEpisode #42 is now Live!
Meet Lucia Di Luca
Lucia’s home turned weekend restaurant, offers guests traditional Italian food on the back verandah of her Orchard Hills home.
In 2012 Lucia opened Cucina Casareccia. The humble restaurant serves a four-course seasonal menu, which changes every month, designed to be savoured with family and friends, and enjoyed in the traditional style of an Italian celebration.
It operates only 2 days a week. Saturday dinners and Sunday lunch. With only one sitting each day, Lucia could easily increase revenue by offering a second sitting for each service but she stresses that guests who visit shou...
2021-06-201h 06Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 41: Meet Matt WoodsEpisode #41 is now Live!
Meet Matt Woods
Matt Woods passion for creativity and drawing started at a young age. With a passion for art and design he later went on to study industrial design at university.
His first job was at Sunbeam but hated it immediately. He then joined a joinery company which allowed him to focus more on design.
After a few different jobs and starting to get bored, a new opportunity presented itself when his then girlfriend knew a cafe owner tha...
2021-06-101h 01Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 40: Meet Christine ElbakhtMeet Christine Elbakht
Christine spent 20 years in corporate working for some of the world's top luxury brands in Australia and Dubai.
After spending 3 years in Dubai she decided it was time to come home. Knowing her time was up in the corporate world and decided to chase her dreams of opening her own business.
She had worked in hospitality as a teenager and wanted to combine her love for brands business and hospitality.
Being a lover of a...
2021-05-311h 04Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 39: Meet Kenneth Rodrigueza.Episode #39
Meet Kenneth Rodrigueza.
Kenneth’s journey isn’t the typical hospitality journey but a passion for baking set him up for what would end up becoming one of the best donuts in Australian.
After finishing a uni degree after 7 years, he decided to take a gap year he started working in different jobs while also doing cake tutorials on YouTube.
While working in retail he started making donuts for his work colleagues, after seeing everyone go crazy for his donuts he started wholesaling for other cafes and also decided to start selling them at markets.
At the time were sharing...
2021-05-221h 07Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 38: Meet Roman UrosevskiEpisode #38 Is now LIVE!
Meet Roman Urosevski, owner of Son of a Baker, one of Sydney’s most popular bakeries.
Romans journey in baking started from a early age helping his dad at his bakery.
With no real passion for baking and knowing he wasn’t going to go to university, he decided to quit school. Over the next 3 years he worked in different industries before realising he wanted to go back to what he knew best.
He approached his dad to buy the family business, but his dad wasn’t ready to sell the business. At the time, he had a...
2021-05-111h 13Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 37: Meet Alex RiviereEpisode #37 is now Live!
Meet Alex Riviere
Alex was born in France and his passion for hospitality came at a young age watching his family of restraunteurs run hospitality venues.
He moved to Australia at the age of 22 and worked in several well known restaurants around Bondi one of them being Sean’s Panorama.
After spending several years in Australia, Alex and his partner Lulu decided to move back to France to be closer to family.
...
2021-05-0454 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 36: Meet Joshua DeLuca and Tim RosenstraussEpisode #36
Is now live! Meet Joshua DeLuca and Tim Rosenstrauss, 2 of the 3 owners of the very successful fast casual restaurant Burger head.
Josh, Tim and Richard all completed their apprenticeships working together in some of the best fine dining restaurants in Australia, but it wasn’t until a few years later they would reunite to open what is now considered one of the best burger shops in western Sydney.
Although many people expected them to create something more high end, They took their experience of working in fine dining and created a point of difference for their burger shop which no...
2021-04-291h 20Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 35: Meet Danny RussoEpisode #35 Meet Danny Russo, chef and owner of Russolini Group, one of Australia’s most respected and skilled boutique food service consultancy groups.
Danny’s passion for food came from a young age watching and cooking with his mum.
He started his apprenticeship with the Merivale Group. He worked under amazing chefs who helped him not only learn how to cook but more importantly manage his own a team.
He opened his own restaurant called L'Unico in Balmain in 2000, receiving amazing reviews and changing the way people experienced Italian food. He went on to work in some of the best hatt...
2021-04-1952 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 34: Jamila HoucherEpisode #34
Meet Jamila, owner of the amazing strawberries and co who specialises in strawberry towers, macaroon towers, desserts, event styling and workshops.
What started as a side gig for a little bit of income doing projects for the family, turned into one of the most popular and unique dessert business in Australia.
With no business experience and never owning a social media account, Jamila wanted to create more awareness to showcase her amazing products. With help from her nephew, they created a photoshoot, a social media page, posted on Instagram and it went viral. She now has over 120,000 followers on Ins...
2021-04-1453 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 33: Meet Sal and HussEpisode #33
Meet Sal and Huss
Sal, Huss and his sister Amani’s journey is not the typical hospitality story. There was no burning desire to ever open a cafe but when there was a relationship breakdown and a 9 year lease in Huss’ name, he had no other choice but to step in and take control.
With no experience in hospitality they were determined to make it work. After 6 months they had built what would end up being one of Sydney’s best cafes.
But it wasn’t always that way. Three months after opening they were questioning if they made the righ...
2021-04-071h 35Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 32: Meet George NahasEpisode #32
Meet George Nahas
George is the owner owner of Belluci Cuccina, Gypsy Coffee Roasters, Romolo Espresso and is also opening one of the most anticipated restaurants in Sydney later this yeah with Ibby Moubaddar called Aalia.
George had been working in the industry from his teenage years. When he opened his first venue he treated it more of a hobby, but it wasn’t until his accountant told him he wouldn’t he in business much longer if he didn’t take it more serious.
It didn’t take long for him to soon become one of the best hospital...
2021-04-0130 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 31: Meet Rarbie and Mohamed TahaEpisode #31
Meet Rarbie and Mohamed Taha. Two of the three founders of Sydney Brunch Crawler.
With a passion for finding the best hospitality venues, Rarbie started getting phone calls and messages asking where the best places for brunch in Sydney were.
His brothers Billy and Mohamed encouraged him to start a blog and together the three of them started one of Sydney’s best Instagram food blogger accounts.
With over 80,000 followers, through organic growth, their blog has now become so much more. They are respected influencers and they have since collaborated with amazing brands and also look after many venues he...
2021-03-221h 12Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 30: Meet Mathew Abi - ArrageEpisode #30
Meet Mathew Abi - Arrage
Mathew started his hospitality journey to make a bit of money with no intention to ever open his own shop. By the time he was 25 he was running some of Sydney’s best venues. Working his way up in the Merivale Group he became the licensee for the establishment, after working there for 18 months, he decided to move to Melbourne to work with the Sand Hill Road Group, one of Melbourne’s best pub operators. He realised after a conversation with one of the owners that there was no reaso...
2021-03-1458 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 29: Meet Jonathan FaroEpisode #29
Meet Jonathan Faro, owner of Society Pizzeria and Johnny Gios.
Johnathon started his hospitality journey in catering at the age of 23 with Society Catering. With jobs all around Australia their mobile food business couldn't keep up with demand, Jonathan than opened Society Pizzeria on Bondi Road.
It didn’t take long for that shop to reach capacity selling over a thousand pizzas a week.
With his reputation of great service and food, it was meant to be a home r...
2021-03-0957 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 28: Meet Ibby MoubadderMeet Ibby Moubadder
Ibby grew up in Lebanon, Beirut and like most teenagers loved the life he was living. But after the war in 2006 he knew it was time to get out to help create a better future for himself and his family.
He moved to Australia in 2007 to study nursing with dreams of one day being a doctor.
Without knowing a word of English, and with no friends or family other then his Aunty, he went on to graduate from university with a bachelor of nursing.
After working as a nurse for several years he decided the only way he c...
2021-03-011h 30Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 27: Meet Adam Mcasey.Meet Adam Mcasey.
At the age of 25, Adam decided to head to Bali to invest in property with no plans to go into hospitality.
But things quickly changed when he realised Bali was missing the high quality venues that he had come to love in Melbourne.
He had a long lease in a commercial property, where he was operating a homewares business which he decided to turn into the now famous, Sister Fields Cafe. Within the next 3 years he opened 3 more venues next door, Bos...
2021-02-231h 12Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 26: Meet Issac MartinEpisode #26 is now live!
Meet Issac.
Issac started his hospitality journey as a chocolatier in Melbourne, a few years later he decided to move to Sydney where he met his now wife Sammi.
He started working for other hospitality venues but when their son Teddy was born 3 months premature he decided he needed to be there for his family and knew he had to start his own business so he could have the flexibility to work when he wanted to. He started his food bl...
2021-02-181h 06Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: S2: Episode 1: Meet Chris SheldrickEpisode #25
Meet Chris Sheldrick, Co-owner of Banksia Bakery, Thicc Cookies, Big Brownies and Passion Tree Velvet.
Chris was born and raised in England, after university the age of 23 he was selected to join the new entrepreneur foundation, a paid program, where every year they pick 25 of the future potential entrepreneurs of the country. It gave him the oppourtinity to meet amazing entrepreneurs and also have breakfast at Richard Branson house.
After meeting his girlfriend, now wife Hannah, He moved to Australia to helped grow Passion Tree Velvet fro...
2021-01-261h 25Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 24: Meet Osheen ArakelianEpisode #24
Meet Osheen Arakelian, owner of The Valley specialty coffee, West Pennant Hills.
Osheen went to University to study law and finished with a double degree, but once he had graduated he knew his future was hospitality.
He has now been in the industry for over 15 years and has built an amazing reputation within the cafe and coffee industry. One of Osheen’s best qualities is his positive “can do” attitude - nothing is ever a problem.
I loved the conversation I had with...
2020-12-201h 31Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 23: Meet Jesse Orleans and Chris TheodosiEpisode #23 Meet Jesse Orleans and Chris Theodosi - the owners of Happyfield in Haberfield. We previously spoke to Jesse and Chris 35 hours before they opened their first venue. They have now been open for 9 weeks and the whole of Sydney has gone crazy for Happyfield.
They have had a waitlist every single day since they have opened and have already been featured in some of Australia’s top media publications like Broadsheet and Time Out.
Broadsheet writer, Pilar Mitchell says it’s “one of the most uplifting places she ever had...
2020-12-1252 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 22: Meet Attila Yilmaz.Episode #22
Owner of Pazaar food collective.
Although Attila was born into hospitality, it wasn’t until a serious incident working for NSW police that he decided to pursue a career in hospitality.
After gaining inspiration from his travels, his journey as restauranteur began in 2012 where he opened a North Mexican inspired food truck.
The following year, the space he used in Canterbury as a garage and prep area turned into a pop-up restaurant called La Lupita.
The concep...
2020-12-031h 52Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 21: Meet Jonny PisanelliEpisode #21
Meet Jonny Pisanelli - Owner of Adelaides best bakery...Abbots and Kinney.
After studying for 6 months at a Pastry school 20 year old Jonny felt he was limited in Adelaide, so decided to fly to Italy to work in the best bakeries. For free!
He returned to Adelaide and started selling his bread and pastries out of his van on the side of the road, he knew he had something special so started selling at the farmers makers every weekend. He would sell out within a few hours!
Jonny then opened his first Abbots and Kinney store in June 2015 in...
2020-11-221h 23Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 20: Meet Gee OzgenEpisode #20 Is now live! .
Meet Gee Ozgen. Owner of Mister Gee’s burger truck. After finishing school and working in a few different industries, Gee knew he wanted to stay in hospitality and own his own business. After a trip to The States, he was inspired by the amazing burger scene that was happening at the time and knew he could deliver a similar product back home. With a limited budget he knew building a food truck was his best option. In 2014 Mister Gee’s food truck was born! It didn’t take long for his re...
2020-11-191h 11Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 20: Meet Gee OzgenEpisode #20. Meet Gee Ozgen. Owner of Mister Gee’s burger truck. After finishing school and working in a few different industries, Gee knew he wanted to stay in hospitality and own his own business. After a trip to The States, he was inspired by the amazing burger scene that was happening at the time and knew he could deliver a similar product back home. With a limited budget he knew building a food truck was his best option. In 2014 Mister Gee’s food truck was born! It didn’t take long for his reputation to grow a...
2020-11-1900 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 19: Meet Ameer El-IssaEpisode #19
Meet Ameer El-Issa, owner of Knafeh Bakery, one of Australia’s most well known and respected hospitality brands in Australia.
Ameer’s hospitality journey started way before their first venue. He was born into a family where hospitality was a way of life.
Once they were old enough Ameer and his brother Joey start working in restaurants, cleaning dishes. Within a few years, they were opening and running venues for other operators all over Sydney.
It was at this poi...
2020-11-131h 20Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 18: Meet Sam SuiterEpisode #18: Meet Sam Suiter, owner of Kai coffee in Hawaii.
Sam was born into hospitality, his family owned the Honolulu Coffee Company. One of the first specialty coffee venues in Hawaii, which now has over 40 locations.
After the family sold the company, he decided to stay on as director of retail operations, where he oversaw expansion, systems and training.
5 years later he knew it was time to go out on his own, so along with his wife Natalie, they opened their first store in downtown Honolulu. Then, opening up at the Hyatt and onto his third location which is also a r...
2020-11-051h 04Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 17: Meet Noreen BryanEpisode #17
Meet Noreen Bryan, co-owner of High st Depot, Penrith.
Noreen started her career as an apprentice chef at Aria, one of Australia’s most popular restaurants. It’s also where she met her now husband Tim Bryan.
After years of working and opening venues for other people they decided to sell everything they had, move back to the west to move in with their family to follow their dreams of opening their own venue.
In today’s episode we talk about the importance of women in hospitality, the sacrifices that are required, how crucial support from both families was for them...
2020-10-291h 01Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 16: Meet Nico AlaryEpisode #16
Meet Nico Alary. Co owner of Holybelly. Europe’s most popular cafe.
Catching up for breakfast or grabbing your morning coffee at 9am on the way to work was completely unheard of in Paris. This all changed when Nico and his wife Sarah opened Holybelly.
Inspired by their travels from Canada and Melbourne, they are now a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. They have had lines out the door up to 100m long for the past 7 years!
They live by t...
2020-10-231h 15Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 15: Anthony KarnasiotisMeet Anthony Karnasiotis
Anthony and his family are resposible for some of Sydney’s most memorable venues. Anthony’s family have been in takeaway shops, and restaurants for over 30 years. They made their name in a venue that was ahead of its times, in The Butchers Block, Wahroonga 2013 with customers travelling from all over NSW to visit their cafe.
They then opened a bar and restaurant next door called The Butchers Apprentice. The family ended up selling both venues to open Goodfields which was built in 2018 and has become an in...
2020-10-151h 02Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 14: Meet Chris Theodosi & Jesse OrleansMeet Chris Theodosi & Jesse Orleans the owners of Happyfield in Haberfield which has officially open today! We interviewed them 35 hours before they opened their cafe.
This interview is a little different to previous interviews as most of my guests have had their venue for several years and we talk about the highs and lows and the experiences they had.
In this case, I wanted to interview Chris & Jesse to get their thoughts and expectations before they open and then interview them again in 6 months time to see what’s chan...
2020-10-091h 06Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 13: Meet Jay FantomMeet Jay Fantom.
The host of the super successful
‘The Story Box’ podcast.
Jay has interviewed some of the worlds biggest stars, celebrities, motivational speakers, business owners and hospitality operators including the king of hospitality -
Horst Schulze the Co Founder of the hotel chain Ritz Carlton.
He has since interviewed over 300 guests. Incredibly impressive for someone that has just turned 24!
This was the first podcast I recorded!
When I was researching how to operate a successful cafe of my own, I wanted to network and be inspired from the best in the industry. I did the same when I wanted to...
2020-10-021h 11Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 12: Meet Roy El-HachemMeet Roy El - Hachem. Co-owner of Piccolo Me. A family owned business which has over 25 stores around Australia.
Roy is the creative genius behind Piccolo Me, and is considered the ‘Willy Wonka’ of cafes. His menu creations are always attracting media attention in Australia and around the world.
In today’s episode we chat about the impact his Dad has had on his career, the ability to adapt, the role social media has played in the success of Piccolo Me, keeping a balance while growing a brand and always being proud but never satisfied.
Thank you to the Piccolo Me fam...
2020-09-2246 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 11: Meet Tim BryanMeet Tim Bryan.
Tim has worked in some of the best kitchens in Australia and the UK. He completed his apprenticeship at Opera Bar, was Senior Su Chef of Aria, and also opened Chiwisk, as head chef, which is owned by Australia top restraunteur Matt Moran.
In this episode, we chat about the pressure of working in some of Australia’s busiest restaurants, the crazy hours required to work starting out and the positive impact his wife Noreen had on him and his career. Nearly giving it all up, how he learnt from his failures to open High St Depot, one o...
2020-09-161h 07Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 10: Meet Giorgina VenzinEpisode 10 is now Live!
Meet Giorgina Venzin
One of Brisbane’s best restauranteurs, Giorgina started in hospitality at the age of 14, washing dishes, working front of house and learning what the industry is is all about.
Now, at the age of 31, with over 10 stores, Giorgina is what you call a real girl boss!
She made her name in the now famous Pawpaw cafe and was also one of the first to use social media to attract customers to her cafes and restaurants.
In today’s episode we chat about
women in hospitality, mental health, running a business with your partner and famil...
2020-09-081h 03Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 9: Trung Bui (Part 2 of 2)Part two of Episode 9 is now live! Meet Trung Bui. A good friend and one of the smartest guys you will ever meet! Trung’s story is quite unique, and inspiring. He came from the construction industry to opening his first store as a franchisee with the Coffee Emporium. He had no idea about hospitality, let alone what a flat white was! After running that store successfully for 2 years he sold that and started espresso warriors. In today’s episode we chat to Trung about the highs and lows of running a franchise, having partnerships in business, the struggles he face...
2020-09-0450 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 9: Trung Bui (Part 1 of 2)Part one of Episode 9 is now live! Meet Trung Bui. A good friend and one of the smartest guys you will ever meet!
Trung’s story is quite unique, and inspiring. He came from the construction industry to opening his first store as a franchisee with the Coffee Emporium. He had no idea about hospitality, let alone what a flat white was!
After running that store successfully for 2 years he sold that and started espresso warriors.
In today’s episode we chat to Trung about the highs and lows of running a franchise, having partnerships in business, the struggles he face...
2020-09-0158 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 8: Meet Tyson Rowsell.Episode 8 is now live!
Meet Tyson Rowsell. Co-owner of Dirty Red, Saint Wine and Fuse Hospitality. Before owning these businesses he was a General Manager at several venues, including The Grounds of Alexandria.
I first met Tyson at The Grounds when Ramsey gave me the opportunity to work within The Grounds group. He quickly took me under his wing and is someone I now consider a mentor, brother and also a business coach.
Apart from my business partner Jake, there is no way Percy Plunkett, would be where it is without him. He has an amazing ability to get the...
2020-08-2454 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 7: Meet Mouhamad Dib from MD ProvodoresMeet Mouhamad Dib from MD Provodores - Sydney’s number one fruit and vege provider.
From delivering fresh fruit and vege in his trusty station wagon, Mouhamad is now supplying over 500 venues per day! This guy has truely revolutionised the wholesale and provodore industry in the way he pays attention to having the highest standards. This is reflective in the quality of his produce and customer relations. Which is such a paramount area in the success of any business.
In today’s episode, we talk about what it is like b...
2020-08-1742 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 6: Meet Jeremy DavidsonEpisode 6. Meet Jeremy Davidson. UK-born hospitality guru who has been involved in some of the city’s most renowned foodie hotspots.
He is also responsible for the Gold Coast's most iconic and unique dining destination – The Collective, Palm beach. A 300 seat foodie loving destination with five restaurants and a rooftop bar. He has since sold The Collective, which was the highest restaurant sale ever in the GC.
Jeremy has now brought to life, Mr Consistent. A Cocktail Mix, supplying bars and restaurants all around Australia.
We ch...
2020-08-111h 05Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 5: Meet Yianni PassarisEpisode 5: Meet Yianni Passaris.
Yianni is the owner of some of Brisbane’s best hospitality venues. He is responsible for Morning After, Yolk and more recently, Ping Pong Thai restaurant.
His ability to combine his passion for interior design with his love of hospitality has set him up for success.
In today’s episode we talk about the process of how Yianni created identity within his business, how paramount culture is, trusting your designer and (just quietly) that one time Usher visited Morning After.
2020-08-071h 09Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 4: Meet Salvatore Malatesta.Meet Salvatore Malatesta.
In 1993 while at university, 21 year old Salvatore was sick of the lack of good food and coffee options on offer. So when there was an opportunity to tender for a cafe at his campus he jumped at the opportunity. By the time he had completed his degree he had 15 cafes in the tertiary sector.
Being one of Melbourne’s most well known and loved personalities, Salvatore has since gone on to open over 80 business including the famous St Ali a cafe, roastery and lifestyle brand.
2020-07-2752 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 3: Meet Nathan TolemanEpisode 3. Meet Nathan Toleman.
From running Australia's most iconic venues to focusing on meditation and mental health. The more successful Nathan becomes the more he wants to give back and do for the community and hospitality industry. He talks about why he decided to sell the famous kettle black, higher ground and Top paddock, how important culture is, why saying no to new opportunities is sometimes more important than saying yes and why his new venue the common ground project, is the most important thing he will ever do in the hospitality industry.
2020-07-2348 minTable for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 2: Meet Julian Moussi.Meet Julien Moussi. An inspirational hospitality operator in Melbourne. From running coffee carts at sporting events to building a multimillion dollar hospitality industry - there’s no stopping this guy. With over 18 venues (and counting) Julien is paving the way, showing that running a successful business and maintaining a balanced lifestyle is achievable.
Supported by our good friends at Sonoma Baking Co. & Procal Dairy
2020-07-1643 min
Table for TwoTABLE FOR TWO: Episode 1: Meet Dylan Jamet-Peters.Meet Dylan Jamet-Peters. One of Sydney’s best cafe operators. 36, passionate and part owner of Dirty Red in Glebe.
His obsession for creating amazing guest experiences didn’t go the way he would have hoped. The dream of opening his own cafe was fast becoming a nightmare. But with steady persistence, work ethic and killer attitude, he started turning things around. One coffee at a time.
A big thank you to Sonoma bread and Procal dairies for their...
2020-07-071h 12