Table for Two

By Phillip HallaniBusiness

Table for Two episodes

October 21, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 48: Meet Lisa and Argi
Episode: 48 is now Live!
Lisa and Argi met while working at Rashays.
Several years later they decided to take a risk on a shop in Liverpool Westfields that no one would go near and was considered a dead spot in the shopping centre.
With strong marketing, great food and service, It didn’t take long for their cafe to take off and build the reputation as one of the best cafes in Liverpool, with a social media following on instagram of over 35,000 followers.
What’s amazing about their cafe is they have no traditional commercial kitchen but have found a way to create and execute a full cafe menu with all bench top cooking equipment, Something that is very had to do in a 70 seater venue.
They have since bought and sold another two successful cafes and are constantly looking out for new opportunities.
Lisa and argi are highly respected in the industry and it was a pleasure to hear their story.
1 hr 7 min
October 07, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 47: Meet Johnathon Israfil
Episode #47
Meet Johnathon Israfil, owner of Kerbside Creamery.
Jonathons journey in hospitality only came about when he was fired from his civil engineering job during the start of the pandemic.
He had an idea to create Sydney’s first cheesecake on a stick with your option for your favourite flavours, what started as a small set up on his front yard under a small marquee, has now turned into a very successful busienss with two food trucks, a online business and delivering all around Sydney.
With nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram kerbside creamery has developed a cult following.
Jonathons story is so inspiring and a great listen for anyone wanting to leave their job to start their own business.
48 min
September 28, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 46: Meet Chloe Watts
Episode 46
Meet Chloe Watts
Chloe was born and raised on the Gold Coast but spent several years in Sydney before heading to London for two years to work with London’s best chefs and hospitality groups.
She decided to head back to the Gold Coast, where she bought Paddock Bakery with her parents, from her brother. She has since turned it into one of Australia’s most iconic venues.
After receiving an offer she couldn’t refuse for Paddock Bakery she decided to sell, take a break and start working on her new concept.
That new concept is called Tarte Bakery, which is now considered one of the Gold Coasts best cafes.
It’s no coincidence that anything Chloe does turns to gold.
Her work ethic, attention to detail and love for people and hospitality has made her one of Australia’s best restraunteurs.
1 hr
September 28, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 45: Meet Tony Pantano
Episode #45 is now live!

Meet Tony Pantano, partner and chief operating officer of @onlyhospitality.

Tony’s journey in hospitlaity started at the age of 13 working in an Italian restaurant in Lygon St, Melbourne.

After finishing high school he managed several venues while also competing his university degree.

He joined a hospitality software company called My Guest List which took him to New York, where he would later join Bluestone Lane, an Australian inspired coffee shop as general manager of their flagship store, that has now grown to 17 stores across America.

He was than offered a unique position as the chief steward aboard a 50m super yacht which took him to 30 countries including some of the most remote locations in the world.

After getting home sick he decided to move back to Melbourne with the goal of working with Julian and the only hospitality group as general manager which has now grown to over 15 locations, which includes, cafes, a roastery, a pub and restaurants.

Tony is now chief operating officer of Only Hospitality which is Melbourne’s largest non-franchised cafe group.
1 hr 8 min
July 08, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 44: Meet Hadi Chami
Episode #44 is now live!
Meet Hadi Chami Owner of Notorious espresso, Werribee.
Like most kids growing up in a Lebanese family business, as long as you were tall enough to see over the counter you were old enough to work in the shop.
Being the eldest, Hadi would always be there helping his family in every business they had, that included a cafe they bought in Collins St, Melbourne.
It opened his eyes to the cafe and coffee world, although it was long hours and hard work hadi loved the cafe scene.
Things were going great and the business had grown since they had taken over.
He than overhead the Leasing agents talking talking about not wanting to renew their lease.
When he approached them he was told bad luck and he should have done their due diligence when buying the business.
This left a negative impact on Hadi, and after they sold their cafe at half the price they had bought it for he told himself he would never get back into the hospitality industry.
He than completed his degree in engeering while also working odd jobs. He had lost his passion for business and hospitality, but It wasn’t until he ran into one of his old customers that told him he was wasting his time and should get back into what he knew best.
He than found a shop in Werribee, Melbourne’s west that was for sale.
Although everyone told him it was no good and he was crazy, he seen the potential, took a risk and bought the business, he has since doubled sales. The business grew so much that he recently renovated the shop to triple the size of his cafe.
Hadi took a chance, and has really transformed the cafe scene in Werribee.
1 hr 11 min
June 26, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 43: Meet Jon Ford
Episode #43 is now Live!
Meet Jon Ford

Jon Ford is owner and operator of teddy picker restaurant in Werribee

Jon was born in Liverpool, England, his hospitality journey started at the age of 14 when he got his first job in a kitchen, he was instantly obsessed and knew he wanted to make a career in hospitality.

He left school at 16 and has since worked in some amazing kitchens.

After coming to Australia he met his now fiancé Kristy and knew he wanted to continue his career in Australia. He worked in several venues before being approached to open his own restaurant.

Despite the fear of covid he signed the lease for the space that is now teddy picker, knowing it was a special venue.

Since opening in February his 300 seater venue is booked out every weekend.

I met Jon the day before this podcast and knew I had to get him on to share his story, his passion for the kitchen, cooking and hospitality is something I wanted to share with everyone.
1 hr 42 min
June 20, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 42: Meet Lucia Di Luca
Episode #42 is now Live!
Meet Lucia Di Luca
Lucia’s home turned weekend restaurant, offers guests traditional Italian food on the back verandah of her Orchard Hills home.
In 2012 Lucia opened Cucina Casareccia. The humble restaurant serves a four-course seasonal menu, which changes every month, designed to be savoured with family and friends, and enjoyed in the traditional style of an Italian celebration.
It operates only 2 days a week. Saturday dinners and Sunday lunch. With only one sitting each day, Lucia could easily increase revenue by offering a second sitting for each service but she stresses that guests who visit shouldn’t be in a hurry to eat. Food at Cuccina should be eaten slowly while guests appreciate the open space and views on the 5 acre property.
I recently had the chance to dine at Cucina Casareccia and was blown away. One of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The authenticity and warm Italian hospitality was something I have never experienced before.
1 hr 7 min
June 10, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 41: Meet Matt Woods
Episode #41 is now Live!
Meet Matt Woods

Matt Woods passion for creativity and drawing started at a young age. With a passion for art and design he later went on to study industrial design at university.

His first job was at Sunbeam but hated it immediately. He then joined a joinery company which allowed him to focus more on design.

After a few different jobs and starting to get bored, a new opportunity presented itself when his then girlfriend knew a cafe owner that was renovating and mentioned that Matt was a designer.

What started out as giving them some advice, then turned into a full time job. He helped create Bloodwood in Newtown which created a lot of buzz and helped put Matt’s name on the map.

Since then, Matt Has gone on to design some of the best commercial and residential properties in Sydney.

In 2011 he won the DESIGNER OF THE YEAR, in 2015 he won the EAT DRINK DESIGN AWARDS for BEST RESTAURANT DESIGN and in 2019 won THE DESIGN FILES AWARDS.

Matts passion for sustainability in his design is evident in all his work.

He genuinely cares about the clients best interested. Personally, what Matt has done for our business has been life changing and something I’m forever grateful for.

A great episode for people that want to get into design or have a venue they want to get design.
1 hr 2 min
May 30, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 40: Meet Christine Elbakht
Meet Christine Elbakht

Christine spent 20 years in corporate working for some of the world's top luxury brands in Australia and Dubai.

After spending 3 years in Dubai she decided it was time to come home. Knowing her time was up in the corporate world and decided to chase her dreams of opening her own business.

She had worked in hospitality as a teenager and wanted to combine her love for brands business and hospitality.

Being a lover of all things peanut butter she opened the world first dedicated peanut butter bar.

Her initial concept was to create a dessert bar that focused on offering peanut butter desserts free from refined sugars and preservatives as well as gluten free and vegan options, that didn’t make you feel guilty after eating desserts.

Although she received attention from nearly every major media outlet around the world including a video that was viewed over 30 million times, the sales started to drop, as things got worse people told her that she gave it a shot but it was time to give up and go back to her corporate career

Christine knew she had something special and refused to give up, she engaged a consultant to help her re brand the business, changed the concept and in 2019 Peanut butter bar 2.0 was born.

I was blown away by Christine’s story.
Her Resilience, drive and passion for hospitality and building a brand she hopes to take world wide one day is so inspiring.
1 hr 5 min
May 21, 2021 TABLE FOR TWO: Episode: 39: Meet Kenneth Rodrigueza.
Episode #39
Meet Kenneth Rodrigueza.
Kenneth’s journey isn’t the typical hospitality journey but a passion for baking set him up for what would end up becoming one of the best donuts in Australian.
After finishing a uni degree after 7 years, he decided to take a gap year he started working in different jobs while also doing cake tutorials on YouTube.
While working in retail he started making donuts for his work colleagues, after seeing everyone go crazy for his donuts he started wholesaling for other cafes and also decided to start selling them at markets.
At the time were sharing a Commercial kitchen with other business but realised they needed their own space when demand grew, so they decided to open a wholesale kitchen in Redfern which ended up being the retail store and shop front of Donut Papi.
Donut Papi is now considered one of the best donuts in Australia and the demand for his donuts shows every week with them selling out our every week.
Kenneth has since expanded and also has another shop front called donut papito. And also have a vegan range called Pudgy Vegan Donuts and plans to open a Philippine cafe called Tita
Donut Papi is truly a family business with his sister Karen and other siblings all part of the journey.
1 hr 7 min