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 and diverse landscape. Krishna reflects on the impacts of COVID-19, shares her insights on what customers want and how businesses can succeed by focusing on their strengths, being transparent and flexible, and constantly pivoting to adapt to the changing market.
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35:06
Tales from the pass: Tim Read - Mental Health in Hospitality - Helmet App
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 Restaurant Association are partnering on, Helmet.
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27:23
Tales from the pass: Shane Liu - Sumthin Dumplin
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.
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29:40
Tales From The Pass - Maggie Gray
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 media and building a loyal customer base. Discover her top tips for navigating challenges, fostering sustainability, and creating unforgettable food experiences. Whether you're a budding food truck owner or a fan of Auckland's vibrant food scene, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Don't miss it!
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20:49
Tales from the pass: Alex George - Peach's Hot Chicken
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 creating buy-in and engaging employees in their own development. This podcast episode features Alex George, the owner of Peaches Hot Chicken in Auckland, New Zealand. Alex shares his story of how he got started in the hospitality industry, how he came up with the idea for his popular Nashville hot chicken food truck, and the struggles and successes he faced along the way to opening his own restaurant. He also gives advice on how to take risks and not get stuck in "analysis paralysis" when starting a business. We also explore how Peach's Hot Chicken has maintained consistent business, by providing quality food at a good price.
About Tales From The Pass - A Hospitality Podcast by The Restaurant Association of NZ
Tales from the pass is a space to celebrate and showcase the voices and talent of Aotearoa’s vibrant hospitality industry. Join us every fortnight as we explore topical issues with our industry’s leading experts, chefs, restauranteurs, educators and influencers.
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