Ep 294 - Legendary Pizza Craft & Business Philosophy with Johnny Di Francesco (part 2)
In part 2 of this episode of the Principle of Hospitality podcast, host Leon Kennedy continues his insightful conversation with Johnny Di Francesco, founder of the internationally renowned 400 Gradi.Johnny dives deeper into how he's built effective systems for kitchen and floor operations, trained staff to deliver consistently authentic hospitality, and balanced his personal passion with tangible business success. They discuss the critical role of investing time and capital effectively, the transformative power of digital solutions in restaurant management and why structured checklists are essential for maintaining quality and consistency.This episode explores how Johnny successfully scales his operations without compromising quality, highlighting his belief in continuous improvement, clear processes and a strong mission-driven approach.Tune in for invaluable insights from one of the industry's most respected leaders.Key topics include:Systemising kitchen and floor operations for consistent qualityEffective training for authenticity and exceptional serviceBalancing passion with sustainable business successSmart investment of time and capitalLeveraging digital solutions and tools in restaurant managementThe importance of structured systems and checklistsA must-listen for hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs seeking practical advice on scaling with integrity.Please find our guest information here:Website: https://400gradi.com.au/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/johnny.di.francesco/https://www.instagram.com/400gradi_auPlease find us here at POH:Website: https://principleofhospitality.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principle_of_hospitality/
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Ep 293 - Legendary Pizza Craft & Business Philosophy with Johnny Di Francesco (part 1)
In this episode (part 1) of the Principle of Hospitality podcast, host Leon Kennedy engages in a comprehensive discussion with Johnny Di Francesco, the founder of 400 Gradi, renowned for his world-class Neapolitan pizza. Johnny shares his unique journey starting at the age of 12, driven by the need to support his family, through to becoming an influential figure in the hospitality industry. The conversation delves deep into the principles that drive Johnny, including innovation, independence, and responsibility. Johnny discusses the technicalities of perfecting pizza dough, the importance of systematisation in business, plus future ambitions like slowing down to speed up further growth and enhancing the Gradi brand experience. Throughout, Johnny's insights highlight the critical balance of maintaining quality while scaling operations, emphasising the significance of a strong mission and continuous improvement.Looking for Part 2? Tune in on Monday 21st April at 5:00 PM!Please find our guest information here:Website: https://400gradi.com.au/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/johnny.di.francesco/https://www.instagram.com/400gradi_auPlease find us here at POH:Website: https://principleofhospitality.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principle_of_hospitality/
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Ep 292 - Evolving Menus and Heritage Cooking: Matteo Tine's Story
In this episode of the Principle of Hospitality podcast, Renee Buckingham sits down with Matteo Tine, the executive chef of Orlo in Collingwood. Matteo shares stories from his rich culinary background, including his early experiences in his grandparents' gelato shop, lessons from his family members who are also chefs, and his journey from Melbourne to Byron Bay’s Pixie restaurant. He emphasises the importance of storytelling in dish creation, using seasonal and local produce, and fostering a positive kitchen culture. Matteo discusses the evolution of his menu at Orlo, his nostalgic approach to cooking, and the invaluable lessons he learned along the way, including the significance of being open to mistakes and continually being energetic and passionate about his work.Please find our guest information here:Website: https://www.orlo.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orlo.collingwood/Please find us here at POH:Website: https://principleofhospitality.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principle_of_hospitality/
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Ep 291 - Uncorking Opportunities: James Audas's Pursuit of Wine Excellence
In this episode of the Principle of Hospitality podcast, Renee Buckingham sits down with James Audas, co-founder of Luna Wine Store, Bar Heather, Arc Wines, and Lo Fi Wines. James shares his journey from starting in hospitality at a young age to becoming a successful wine importer and distributor. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of setting up wine-focused businesses in Byron Bay, his experiences working in high-end restaurants like Tetsuya's and NOMA, and the importance of building strong relationships within the industry. The conversation also touches on the ethos of organic and natural wine farming and the significance of mentorship and education in hospitality. Tune in to learn about James's resilient approach and future plans for his ventures.Please find our guest information here:Website:Lofi Wines: https://www.lofiwines.com/Das juice: https://www.dasjuice.com.au/Arc Wines: https://www.arcwines.com.au/Luna wine shop: https://www.lunawinestore.com/Bar Heather: https://www.barheather.com/Instagram:James: https://www.instagram.com/audasjames/Lofi Wines: https://www.instagram.com/lofiwines/Das juice: https://www.instagram.com/dasjuice/Arc Wines: https://www.instagram.com/arcwines/Luna wine shop: https://www.instagram.com/luna.winestore/Bar Heather: https://www.instagram.com/heather.bar/Please find us here at POH:Website: https://principleofhospitality.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principle_of_hospitality/
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Ep 290 - Culinary Innovation in Bali: Adam McAsey’s Journey from Melbourne to Project Black
In this episode of the Principle of Hospitality podcast, host Renee Buckingham sits down with Adam McAsey, co-founder of Project Black, a cutting-edge hospitality brand in Bali. Known as the 'Snacklord,' Adam opens up about his deep-rooted hospitality background, from managing his father’s establishments in Melbourne to launching eight diverse and thriving venues in Bali. He shares insights into his collaboration with business partner Tai Buddha, the creative process behind developing unique spaces like Fuhouse, and the challenges of adapting to Bali’s dynamic market. This conversation explores how Project Black blends culture, innovation, and customer-centered strategies to redefine the hospitality landscape in Bali. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the passion and vision driving Adam’s success.Please find our guest information here:Website: https://www.projectblack.co/Instagram: Adam McAsey: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJdt_ohlcYD/Project Black: https://www.instagram.com/projectblackhospitality/Please find us here at POH:Website: https://principleofhospitality.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principle_of_hospitality/
Principle of Hospitality (POH) saw a gap in Australia’s hospitality industry — with a growing need to keep abreast of the latest trends and innovations, as well as the changing needs of consumers, it was clear our hospitality heroes could benefit from a stronger support network.
South Africa