Industry Forums
Each month, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival hosts a free virtual forum featuring topics and speakers relevant to the hospitality industry in Victoria.
Beginning in May 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, the forums have so far dealt with the most pressing issues for hospitality businesses right now including renegotiating leases, boosting cashflow and reopening with restrictions. As our industry looks ahead to recovery, we’ll be planning discussions that reflect this.
To hear about future forums, make sure you’ve signed up to our Industry News.
Industry Forum #6 - The View from Abroad
As we look to rebuild our beloved hospitality industry, what’s the mood like abroad and what can we learn from other cities across the globe? We bring together three renowned chef-restaurateurs from around the world to get their perspective on operating through lockdown and ongoing restrictions and their thoughts on what lies ahead for dining in our global community.
Listen to our panel as they talk about the view from abroad
- Robert Marchetti, co-founder, Gran Tivoli and Peppi’s Cellar, New York City, creative director, QT Hotels
- May Chow, chef and owner, Little Bao and Happy Paradise, Hong Kong
- Josh Emett, co-founder, Rata, Queenstown, chef and owner, The Oyster Inn and Onslow, Auckland
- Moderated by Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO, MFWF
Industry Forum #5 - Saving the Bars of Melbourne
In a profoundly challenging year for hospitality across the board, Melbourne’s bars are among the hardest hit businesses in the trade. What’s going to happen to these defining parts of the city’s culture and night economy? How will they survive?
Listen to our panel as they talk about saving the bars of Melbourne
- Zara Madrusan, co-owner, Made in the Shade
- Tash Conte, owner, Black Pearl
- Michael Bascetta, co-owner, Bar Liberty and Capitano, CEO and co-founder, Worksmith
- Moderated by Pat Nourse, creative director, MFWF
Industry Forum #4 - JobKeeper 2.0 Explained
Need to make sense of JobKeeper? What should you have in place right now to get ahead of the changes coming in September?
Our fourth MFWF industry forum examines phase two of the Federal Government’s wage subsidy package with specific reference to how it affects hospitality businesses and workers with the help of On Tap Hospitality, accounting and operational management specialists.
Industry Forum #3 - Recovery in the Regions
A panel of leaders in Victoria's regional tourism and hospitality industries discuss the issues experienced by businesses outside Melbourne due to restrictions on travel, trade and movement in response to the pandemic.
Listen to our panel as they talk about recovery in the regions
- Felicia Mariani (Victorian Tourism Industry Council)
- Andrew Ryan (Mitchelton Wines)
- Alla Wolf-Tasker (Lake House)
- Pat Nourse (host)
Industry Forum #2 - Operating in the new normal
Listen to our panel as they discuss how to transition into reopening your business post-lockdown.
- Justin Hemmes, CEO, Merivale
- Wes Lambert, CEO, Restaurant and Catering Association
- Jerry Mai, restaurateur/chef, Bia Hoi, Annam and Pho Nom
- Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (host)
Industry Forum #1 - Roadmaps to Recovery
Listen to our panel as they discuss how to negotiate the best position for your business in recovery.
- Lisa Livis, State General Manager SME Banking, Westpac and Bank of Melbourne
- Chris Lucas, CEO and founder, Lucas Restaurants
- Andrew Kaspen, Partner, Pointon Partners Lawyers
- Pat Nourse, Creative Director, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (host)
