Tales From The Pass - A Hospitality Podcast by The Restaurant Association of NZ

In this episode of Tales from the Past , the Restaurant Association of New Zealand podcast, we sit down with Amanda Rogers, founder of Waitstaff Pro and former owner of Ampersand Eatery in Auckland. Amanda shares her journey through the hospitality industry, from early café roles to leading one of Auckland's much-loved venues, and now supporting the next generation of front of house professionals....

Sophie Gilmour is passionate about business, food, and hospitality. She has spent the past 15 years helping hospitality businesses thrive. She co-founded Bird on a Wire, co-owns Fatima, and leads Delicious Business where she guides operators towards sustainable growth. Sophie is also committed to community work and is a trustee of the Dine Charitable Trust. In this episode, Sophie shares practical...

Marcin Kulak, originally from Poland, is an experienced FOH professional. He began his hospitality journey in 2000 as a section waiter in Poland, then moved to London, where he spent ten years as a General Manager. In 2015, Marcin settled in Auckland with his wife and two sons. He joined Mekong Baby in 2018 as a Duty Manager and became co-owner within a year, alongside his wife and business partne...

Join us on Tales from the Past as we chat with Lisa Levy, co-founder of Christchurch's acclaimed INATI restaurant. Lisa shares her journey from growing up in Hawke's Bay to working in London's prestigious restaurants, including catering for the Royal family, before returning to New Zealand to create a memorable dining experience. Hear her insights on hospitality, running a restaurant with her part...

In this episode, we chatted with Stacey Jones, an award-winning event creative and marketer with over 20 years of experience blending food, innovation, and community. Stacey shares how childhood memories of making meringues with her mum sparked her love for food and bringing people together. She takes us through her career journey, from working in advertising agencies to founding her ventures, Kit...

In this episode, we chat with Luis Cabrera, a renowned chef and entrepreneur from Mexico. Inspired by his grandmother's cooking, Luis developed a passion for food early on, which led him to study Italian cuisine and work in restaurants around the world. In 2009, he opened his own restaurants in Auckland, New Zealand. When the pandemic forced him to close his restaurants, Luis turned his creativity...

Marg Main brings decades of hospitality expertise to the conversation, from her early hotel days to owning a restaurant in New Zealand. Now the founder of Turning Tables training company and her latest venture, Conversations That Matter, Marg specialises in creating meaningful workplace dialogue and empowering hospitality professionals. In this episode, Marg shares the essential skills that make h...

Krishna Botica is an award-winning restaurateur in New Zealand with over 30 years of experience in the industry. She started her journey at Prego in the '90s and eventually opened her own venues under the group Mensa, including Cafe Hanoi, Ghost Street, and Perch. She has witnessed significant changes in the industry, from its unsophisticated and unprofessional beginnings to its now competitive an...

Tim Read shares his personal journey of working in the hospitality industry and how the industry has changed due to COVID-19. Tim talks with this weeks host Gerrick Newman about experiencing burnout and mental health distress, and how witnessing burnout in his employees and the loss of his best friend to suicide prompted him to launch his mental health and wellbeing initiative, which the Restauran...

On this week's Restaurant Association of New Zealand podcast, we are joined by Shane, the founder of Somethin Dumplin. Shane talks about his journey as an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry and his vision for the future of his business. He also shares where the idea for Somethin Dumplin came from and some tips for managing a business and the realities of social media.

In this episode of Tales from the Pass Maggie Gray, host of the Food Truck podcast and co-founder of the Auckland Food Truck Collective, shares her inspiring journey from running a single food truck to building a thriving community of mobile culinary entrepreneurs. Maggie dives into what it takes to succeed in the food truck business, from crafting a simple yet impactful menu to leveraging social...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of good working conditions in the hospitality industry and how they can improve the overall service and experience for customers. We also talk about the role of technology in hospitality and the balance between using it to enhance service without losing the personal touch. Additionally, we touch on the topic of staff training and the importance of creatin...

In this debut episode of season 2 *Tales from the Pass*, hosts Marisa Bidois, Chief Executive of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, and Gerrick Newman, Director of Millé , take listeners on a journey into the heart of hospitality. They share their personal stories of entering the industry, the lessons they've learned, and what makes hospitality a crucial part of our communities. From the c...

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we delve into the profound changes reshaping the hospitality landscape in the wake of COVID-19. "Navigating the New Normal: The Suburban Shift in Hospitality Post-COVID" brings together a panel of renowned industry experts to dissect the burgeoning trend of suburban hospitality. We explore why more and more travelers are opting for suburban experiences,...

Join us backstage with the pannel from our The End of Veganism. We discuss sustainably in more depth along with a host of other topics.

As the world moves towards a greener future, the conversation surrounding sustainable eating habits continues to evolve. The hospitality industry has witnessed the rise of veganism, which has reshaped our understanding of plant-based diets. But as we delve deeper, new perspectives are emerging that challenge traditional notions of eco-conscious eating.   Join us for a thought-provoking panel discu...

Gerrick Newman from Millé is here to talk with us today about renovating your restaurant on a budget. We chat about QR codes, self-ordering screens, and machine-readable menus make it easier for customers to order and checkout without interaction from restaurant staff.  He speaks about how to design your Stuff to fit your brand, target market, and budget, and keep an eye on areas like furniture an...

Your business's reputation is everything. It's what potential customers see when they first research your company, and it can make or break a sale. In today's digital world, your reputation is more important than ever. So what do you do when a crisis hits? How do you protect your brand and maintain a positive reputation? In this episode, we talk to reputation management expert Becky Erwood about h...

Just in time for Mental Health Awareness week, we present a discussion that took place in June at Hospo Hui 23.  This is a long episode with a lot of insights into dealing with tough situations both in life and business - from mental health to insurance and business planning and a deeper back of house discussion once the panelists left the stage. Featuring Krishna Botica ( RA VP), Chip Klose (Cons...

Gen Alpha are coming, and they're are expecting more technology in their lives and a change in how the restaurant industry operates. - Food will increasingly be customized to meet the individual needs of consumers in the future, driven by technologies such as alternative proteins, plant-based products, cellular agriculture, genomics, and synthetic biology.: technologies are changing the way we com...

Jesse from Bees Up Top joins us to dicuss urban beekeeping in NZ.  Keeping and harvesting a bee hive can add a unique spin to your venue and be part of community supporting the environemnt. Learn about some of the myths of bees, how to get started and more. beesuptop.co.nz

This episode was rwecorded at Hospo Hui 2023. Join us for an insightful panel discussion on FOODPRENEURIALISM: The Rise of the Food Entrepreneur, as we discuss the ever-evolving world of food entrepreneurship. The hospitality industry is witnessing a culinary renaissance, fueled by innovative foodpreneurs who are challenging traditional norms and reimagining the dining landscape. With creativity,...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Chand Sahrawat, co-owner of successful restaurants and wife of Sid Sahrawat, who shares her insights on running successful businesses in the hospitality industry. Chand and Sid have faced numerous challenges, including weather-related disruptions, the pandemic, and more. Overcoming these obstacles required trial and error, teamwork, and open communi...

Welcome to Tales from the Pass, your insider's pass to the vibrant world of Aotearoa's hospitality scene. In this trailer, we introduce you to our exciting new series, a platform that celebrates the voices and talent in New Zealand's dynamic hospitality industry. Hear about the discussions to come, with renowned chefs, innovative restaurateurs, influential educators, and industry-shaping influence...