Shila Kitchen Brings Persian Classics to The Hub in Bondi
Shila Kitchen has opened its doors at The Hub in Bondi, adding a dedicated Persian kitchen to the suburb’s burgeoning all‑day precinct. Founder Saba Taghavi brings family‑rooted recipes, from milder Persian coffee to house‑made preserves, to a menu that spans mezze, stews and sweet pastries. The venue offers an extensive all‑day selection, including traditional dishes such as chicken fesenjoon, lamb gheimeh and a variety of pickles and jams for take‑home. Its launch joins other high‑profile concepts at The Hub, further diversifying Bondi’s culinary landscape.
Seagrass Boutique Hospitality to Open Hunter and Barrel Steakhouse in Canberra
Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group is set to open its fifth Hunter and Barrel steakhouse on 8 May, marking the brand’s first entry into Canberra. The new Scotts Street venue will showcase Australian‑sourced meats, including grass‑fed Wagyu and a 1.1 kg Tomahawk, prepared over...
How to Have Smarter Supplier Relationships in 2026
Cafe and restaurant owners are moving from reactive, price‑only negotiations to data‑driven supplier management powered by AI. Existing POS, ordering and accounting systems provide granular spend data that AI can analyze to uncover inefficiencies, price creep and fragmented ordering. By...
Esca Group Appoints Adam Wolfers as Aalia and Aalia Wine Room Executive Chef
Esca Group announced that Adam Wolfers will serve as executive chef of Aalia and Aalia Wine Room. Wolfers most recently led the culinary direction at Anyday Hospitality and has worked in top Australian venues as well as Spain’s three‑Michelin‑starred Quique...
AHICE Returns for Three Action-Packed Days
The Asia Pacific Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE) returns to Adelaide from May 5‑7, 2026. The three‑day event will host over 200 speakers, 1,600 attendees and more than 100 sponsors, featuring headline keynotes from INXS bassist Garry Gary Beers, Olympian...
Fair Work Signs Enforceable Undertaking with Melbourne Restaurant Operator
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has signed an enforceable undertaking with Carlucci’s Restaurant (The Luck Bird Pty Ltd) after it underpaid 38 staff, including visa holders and junior workers. The employer back‑paid more than $194,000 AUD (≈$128,000 USD), covering wages and $20,787 AUD...
Paola Toppi Launches Pasta Shop in Potts Point with Entire Menu Under $30
Renowned restaurateur Paola Toppi has opened Pasta Shop in Potts Point, a 35‑seat venue that serves an entirely house‑made pasta menu priced below $30 per dish. The concept showcases 11 pasta varieties, including a 40‑year‑old spaghetti Machiavelli recipe, alongside salads,...
Avia Announces Stellar Lineup for Next Season of Re:Purpose
Avia, the Darlinghurst restaurant, is launching the 2026 season of its sustainability‑focused dining series Re:Purpose, beginning with a long lunch on May 3 featuring Sakura House chef Nick Sherman. The monthly event pairs Avia co‑founder Stefano Marano with a rotating guest...
Are You a Young Chef? Now’s Your Chance to Enter Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award 2026
Nestlé’s Golden Chef’s Hat Award has opened entries for its 2026 edition, targeting apprentice and junior chefs aged 18‑24 across Australia and New Zealand. The free competition offers a prize pool of roughly $28,000 AUD (about $18,500 USD), including a seven‑day culinary trip...
Survey: Hospitality Workers Invited to Help Make the NSW Industry Safer
Researchers from UNSW and the University of Melbourne have launched a confidential, government‑funded survey aimed at documenting sexual harassment and assault in New South Wales liquor‑licensed venues. The study seeks input from current and former hospitality workers aged 18 or...
Regulators Target Vineyard Employers in South Australia for Surprise Inspections
Australian regulators have stepped up unannounced inspections of vineyard employers in South Australia under Operation Zephyr. To date, the Australian Taxation Office, Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Border Force have visited 18 vineyards across the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and...
Maestro Hospitality Redefines A’Mare with Addition of Casual Pizza Venue
Maestro Hospitality is expanding the a’Mare waterfront restaurant in Barangaroo with Pizza’Mare, a casual pizza and pasta venue, and the Vista’Mare aperitivo bar, set to open on April 22. The new mezzanine space will serve Neapolitan‑style pizzas baked in an...
How Does Your Restaurant Stack Up? ATO Releases Small Business Benchmarks
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has published 2023‑24 small‑business benchmarks for restaurants, pubs, bars and bakeries. For restaurants with annual turnover roughly $43,000‑$330,000, $330,000‑$1.3 million and over $1.3 million USD, cost‑of‑sales should sit at 32‑39%, 32‑38% and 31‑36% of revenue respectively. Total...
Fuel Prices Will “Pressure Insolvencies” In Hospitality, Warns CreditorWatch Chief Economist
CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun warned that a sharp rise in fuel prices in March, driven by the Middle East conflict, will pressure hospitality firms toward insolvency unless the situation eases. Australian household spending edged up 0.3% in February, slightly...
A New Italian Bar and Restaurant Is Landing in Carlton
Delmonte, a new Italian bar and restaurant, will open in winter 2026 at the historic King and Godfree building on Lygon Street, Carlton. The venue is part of restaurateur Jamie Valmorbida’s expanding portfolio, which includes Johnny’s Green Room, Pidapipo and...