The line-up of speakers for the inaugural Restaurant Leaders Summit keeps getting stronger, with a number of high profile chefs and restaurateurs signing up for the one-day conference.
Taking place at Doltone House, Pyrmont, on 26 September, the Restaurant Leaders Summit represents an opportunity for Australia’s leading chefs, restaurant operators and senior managers to gain valuable insight into business best practice.
The day will comprise a series of presentations, panel discussion and Q&A sessions with industry leaders, with topics ranging from social media, recruitment and funding expansion to financing, the rise of fast casual dining and trends from the US.
A number of high profile hospitality professionals have agreed to share their insights, including Thomas Pash, CEO of the rapidly expanding Urban Purveyor Group, which oversees brands including Sake, Fratelli Fresh and The Cut; as well as Nelly Robinson, owner and chef of nel. restaurant in Sydney, which was named Time Out Sydney’s People’s Choice award winner, less than six months after swinging open its doors.
Other presenters will include:
- Josephine Perry, owner of Missy French
- Erez Gordon, owner of Bishop Sessa
- The Knafeh Food Truck team
- Geremy Glew from Placed Recruitment
- Ken Burgin from Profitable Hospitality, and
- Helen Yee, editor of GrabYourFork
In the past week, this line-up has been bolstered with the addition of The Fink Group’s director, John Fink, and its general manager, Kylie Ball. The Fink Group manages iconic brands in Australia’s hospitality scene including Quay, which was recently included in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House and Otto Ristorante, which has just launched its first interstate venue, located in Brisbane.
Fink and Ball will be accompanied by another hospitality legend, Lisa Van Haandel. Together with her husband, Van Haandel owns The Beach Hotel in Byron Bay, Longrain restaurant in Melbourne and is working towards launching a new bar called LongSong. With 30 years’ experience in the industry, Van Haandel is well versed in operating boutique hotels, giant pub venues, kitchens and bars, as well as casual dining concepts and fine diners.
Applejack Hospitality duo, Hamish Watts and Ben Carroll will also throw their two cents in, commenting on the growth of their business, which includes venues such as Della Hyde, The Butler and Bondi Hardware, and sharing pointers on funding growth and maximising the value of your social media presence.
The Restaurant Leaders Summit will also offer plenty of opportunity for networking with peers, and promises to be an invaluable event for all leading stakeholders within the restaurant and foodservice industry.
Early bird tickets are now on sale, available until 25 August and priced from $195 + GST.