Penalty Rate Pressure
With rising labour costs and ever‑increasing public holiday penalty rates, the viability of trading on these days is becoming a real challenge for many independent operators the hospitality sector.
Manager of Cecilia’s on NSW’s Central Coast Sean Grobbelaar highlights how the numbers simply no longer add up for his venue… a sentiment echoed by operators across the country. With insights from Restaurant & Catering Australia president John Hart OAM, the episode examines why flexibility is limited, how technology helps survival, and the long-term risks if small hospitality businesses remain squeezed.
A.I. in Foodservice
In recent years the rise of Artificial Intelligence has rapidly accelerated the pace of technological change – its impacts are being felt across multiple industries and foodservice is no exception. In this issue we look at two innovative uses of AI in foodservice – the Botinkit robot chef and the AerMeal meal measurement and monitoring solution, the applications of which are broader than you might at first think.
How can we attract more apprentices to the industry?
The hospitality industry is facing ongoing challenges in attracting apprentices, with many professionals calling for a re-think of traditional training models. We speak with two industry professionals who highlight the need for modernised programs that reflect today’s workplace realities, from shorter shifts and work-life balance to fairer pay structures.
The importance of Food Safety Culture
Despite Australia’s Food Safety Standards requiring foodservice businesses to implement training, conduct food safety supervision and show evidence of safe practices, our foodborne illness rates remain high – with foodservice and food retail overrepresented in outbreak data. We speak to two industry experts about the state of play.
Raising the bar in Aged Care Dining
As Victorian Hotel Service Manager and Executive Chef Manager for St Vincent’s Care, Chef David Martin is passionate about raising the standard of aged care cuisine. We speak to him about his journey from fine dining to aged care and his focus on delivering high quality food that also meets stringent nutritional standards.
The impact of new Australian packaging regulations on Foodservice
Major change is on the way to Australia’s packaging regulations – and this is set to impact both food suppliers and foodservice end-users. The Federal Government is coordinating an effort to bring in new legislation across Australia’s states and territories: in place of voluntary codes of practice, recycling of plastic and removal of certain chemicals from the packaging supply chain is to become mandated by law.
How the retain good staff in the hospitality industry
We speak to three well known foodservice advocates to find out what strategies are being employed to ensure staff retention, what role government can play and the outlook for the broader hospitality sector.
The importance of showcasing Australian produce on the menu
Showcasing Australian produce on menus may often be more expensive, but as we discover ‘local is best’, and even in tough economic times customers are prepared to pay for it.
Unlocking leadership in Hospitality
Unlocking potential and aligning common goals are the key to effective Hospitality leadership. We get the views of three seasoned industry professionals; Martin Probst, Amanda Fuller and Glenn Flood.
How to secure cost efficiencies in your foodservice operation
When it comes to securing cost efficiencies, chef Gary Johnson uses the analogy of flying an aircraft – if you increase the altitude, you have to cut back on the fuel; there are lots of dials and gauges and any adjustment influences other aspects of flight.
Sustainability in the Healthcare Sector
To learn more about how sustainability and waste reduction strategies are being implemented in hospital kitchens and how they tie in with the overall commitment to building greater sustainability into the healthcare system, we spoke to Renae McBrien, Clinical Lead for Environmental Sustainability at Children’s Health Queensland.