31 AUG - 3 SEP 2026 | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

December 12, 2025

Commercial kitchen profitability, Rising costs, shrinking margins and constant operational pressure are redefining how kitchens need to operate. According to Andrew Briese, Founder of Cooking the Books, profitability now relies less on instinct and more on discipline, consistency and intelligent systems. His core message is simple: a kitchen becomes profitable

 Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t a future concept for hospitality. It’s already reshaping how operators run venues, connect with guests, and manage their business.   Leaders across booking software, staffing technology and multi-venue operations agree: operators who begin experimenting now gain a clear commercial edge.  Rather than replacing human connection, AI is

Across Australia, women are reshaping the leadership landscape of hospitality – not by mirroring traditional models, but by introducing new standards of empathy, accountability, confidence and community.   Their insights reveal a shift happening across the industry: hospitality performs stronger when leadership is human, values-driven and unashamedly authentic. From overcoming self-doubt

The foodservice and hospitality landscape is evolving, and 2026 is shaping up to be a year defined by sharper expectations, smarter operations and more informed consumers. Across venues, staying connected to emerging trends isn’t about chasing what’s new, it’s about understanding how customer behaviour, technology and supply chains are reshaping