With Australia’s hospitality industry facing compounding pressures and increasing costs, a group of restaurant leaders will discuss the most acute challenges and discover solutions at free symposiums in Sydney and Melbourne this month.

The inaugural Good Food Hospitality Symposiums follow the overwhelming reader response to a string of cafe, bar and restaurant closures in 2024, among which the story of Sydney cafe Cornersmith resonated most.

When co-owner Alex Elliott-Howery told Good Food, “Hospitality is a bit broken”, ahead of Cornersmith’s March closure, it paved the way for other business owners to speak up, show solidarity, and share their own financial struggle.

“They felt just like we did: that they were the only losers who couldn’t figure it out, that the margins are getting tighter, and it’s so hard to make it work,” Elliott-Howery said.

Blow after blow of rising costs and lower consumer spending have led to record business-to-business payment defaults and a CreditorWatch prediction that one in every 13 hospitality businesses face closure within the next year.

“The industry is desperate to talk about these issues, and now,” said head of Good Food, Sarah Norris.

“Each year, we bring the excellent, creative and hard-working people in the hospitality industry together for a party to launch our Good Food Guides. But this year, we also want to bring them together to discuss massive, industry-wide challenges.

“How are they responding to the cost-of-living crisis? What clever business solutions are working? And what technological innovations should other businesses know about?”

“Margins are getting tighter, and it’s so hard to make it work.”

Alex Elliott-Howery

In Melbourne, longtime Good Food contributor and reviewer Dani Valent will lead the panel called “What restaurant business model works in this challenging economic climate?” in discussion with Kate Reid (founder and co-owner of Lune Croissanterie), Charlie Carrington (chef and owner Atlas Dining), Almay Jordaan (owner and executive chef Old Palm Liquor and Neighbourhood Wine) and Leon Kennedy (chief executive of The Mulberry Group). Patrick Ryan-Parker, senior manager at hospitality point-of-sale platform Lightspeed, will also join the conversation at Collingwood Yards on Monday, June 17.

The Sydney symposium will gather restaurateurs and chefs Alessandro Pavoni (a’Mare, Ormeggio), Palisa Anderson (Chat Thai, Boon Luck Farm), Huss Rachid (Self Raised Bread Shoppe, My Mother’s Cousin), Rebecca Fanning (Arthur, Jane) and Ryan-Parker the following Monday, June 24, at Machine Hall Precinct for a panel discussion hosted by Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide editor Callan Boys.

Panellists will share challenges they’re facing, including what’s different now and if there’s a business model less susceptible to rising costs, such as staying small and independent or going big with hospitality groups.

Other topics include alternative revenue streams, surcharges, regulatory challenges and innovations, such as artificial intelligence. Conversation will be opened up to the audience for questions, comments and suggestions.

“Importantly, we want the industry to walk away from these events with clever ideas and solutions,” said Norris.

Hosted by Lightspeed, this will be the first in a series of Good Food Hospitality Symposium events conducted throughout the year.

The Age Good Food Symposium, presented by Lightspeed, is on Monday, June 17, at Collingwood Yards (35 Johnston Street, Collingwood), 5.30-7.30pm, and is free to attend, but RSVPs are essential. Register here.

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Symposium, presented by Lightspeed, is on Monday, June 24, at Machine Hall Precinct (183 Clarence Street, Sydney), 5.30-7.30pm and is free to attend, but RSVPs are essential. Register here.