HospoX Podcast

Never say that HospoX doesn't bring you the big guns! This episode we welcome Sport Australia Hall of Famer, Jeff Fenech (aka  he 'Marrickville Mauler') along with Enzo Marturano, founder and chef of the widely successful Enzo's Cucina  restaurant chain. With four world boxing titles to his credit across four different weight divisions, Jeff Fenech shares stories of training Mike Tyson and his recent role as ambassadorship with Enzos Cucina. We are very proud of this episode and hope you enjoy listening to it!Special guests: Jeff Fenech and Enzo MarturanoEpisode sponsor: Hospitality Institute of NSWOUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!Find out more about the crew and grab some HospoX merch here: www.hospox.com.au

HospoX goes international!Best-selling authors Dave Domzalski and Dave Nitzel join us via Zoom to discuss the release of their new book, Hospitality DNA.  We share bar consulting disaster stories and debate the concept of the customer always being 'right'. Hospitality DNA is a must-read for hospitality professionals and is available in all formats via Amazon.  Special guests: Dave Domzalski and Dave Nitzel Episode sponsor: Hospitality Institute of NSW Guest anchor: Mr. Producer OUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE! Find out more about the crew and grab some HospoX merch here: www.hospox.com.au

The HospoX crew is excited to welcome Hamish Watts into the Hills Podcast Studio, one half of the dynamic duo behind the award-winning Applejack Hospitality Group. Hamish speaks openly about his ascendency through the hospitality industry to his current position of being co-owner (along with Ben Carroll) of 9 successful operations across Sydney. The team also discussed the longstanding issue of managing minors (under 18's) in an licensed premises and the challenges operators face with digital ID's and fake Apps - with plenty of shared stories and laughs along the way. Special Guest: Hamish Watts, Applejack Hospitality (also make sure to check out their wonderful new restaurant Rafi in North Sydney). Episode Sponsor:  Hospitality Institute of NSW - Australia's Best Online RSA/ RCG Courses. Get in Touch! The HospoX crew loves listener stories so please jump over to our website and submit your hospo-related experience. If we read it live on air we'll send you out a prize! Visit us here: www.hospox.com.au  

Sal finally has the studio to himself and invites in Kayla Grigoriou from Grey Goose to discuss all things hospitality plus sample the new Grey Goose Essences range.  They also share their stories on the savage revenge tactics that hospo staff have 'allegedly'  wreaked on unsuspecting customers when pushed too far.   Warning: One or more of these stories may induce dry reaching so please take adequate precautions! Special Guest: Kaya Grigoriou, Brand Ambassador for Bacardi Martini Australia. Grey Goose Essences available through Dan Murphy's here.  Episode Sponsor:  Hospitality Institute of NSW - Australia's Best Online RSA/ RCG Courses. Get in Touch! The HospoX crew loves listener stories so please jump over to our website and submit your hospo-related experience. If we read it live on air we'll send you out a prize! Visit us here: www.hospox.com.au 

Wine Wanker: Somebody who drinks wine pretentiously in the company of others to show off their knowledge and try to make other people feel inferior - Urban Dictionary.Ed Peake from Penfold  is definitely NOT a wine wanker. He joins the HospoX crew and shares some of the fascinating history of Australia's very own iconic global wine brand, with a few sips and laughs along the way.Special Guest: Ed Peake, Brand Ambassador & Key Account Manager, Penfolds.Featured Products: Penfold Bin 389 Shiraz and Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay.Episode Sponsor: The Hospitality Institute of NSW. Use code 'hospox' for $20 off your online RSA course!OUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!Find out more about the crew and grab some HospoX merch here: www.hospox.com.au

The HospoX crew interviews Australian comedic royalty, Tahir Bilgic & Rob Shehadie.  Rising to fame via the SBS's Fat Pizza in the noughties, Tahir & Rob have gone onto develop and star in sold out shows across Australia.  Get ready for 50 minutes of laugh-out-loud banter as Rob & Tahir bring their special brand of multicultural Aussie  humour to the HospoX studio. Check out their latest hilarious stage production One Upon a Time in Lebanon, tickets through Tiketek. Special guests: Tahir Bilgic and Rob Shehadie Episode sponsor: Hospitality Institute of NSW OUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!Find out more about the crew and grab some HospoX merch here: www.hospox.com.au

Security guards (or 'seccies' we call 'em in the trade) are a core part of the team in every busy hospo venue.  These are the people tasked with keeping the riff raff outside and the good vibes inside.This episode, we interview John Toby, the former head doorman at 90's Sydney's superclub, DCM, and a successful entrepreneur in his own right. The HospoX crew share their door dramas, which include fireworks being shot at the door and guns being pulled. A calm head and balls of steel are mandatory!Special Guest: John Tooby, 8th dan Karate black belt and owner of Toodokan Self Defense Academy in Sydney. Episode sponsor: Hospitality Institute of NSWOUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!Find out more about the crew and grab some HospoX merch here: www.hospox.com.au

Move over Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares - the HospoX crew are about to take a sledgehammer to the kitchen wall and take a peek inside.  Exploding sinks and kitchen cats are the order of the day!Our special guest is Christian Montarulo, a former fine dining Chef who has recently moved into front of house manager role. Cristian reflects on his most stressful cooking & catering jobs and what it takes to succeed in an often hot and stressful kitchen environment .Special Guest: Christian Montarulo OUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!Find out more about the crew and grab some HospoX merch here: www.hospox.com.au

Love it or loathe it, dealing with the police is all part of the Hospo operator's shtick. Sarge shares his hospo police encounters from working both sides of the thin blue line, while Tara recounts how terrified when she was as a new manager in a large venue when the licensing cops rocked up. Our special guest is Jez from Whiskefy,  who shares his love of American Whiskeys and brings in some premium  drams for the HospoX'ers to sample.  Is that really a smart idea??  Tune in and find out...Special Guest: Jeremy from WhiskefyOUR NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!Find out more about the crew and grab some HospoX merch here: www.hospox.com.au  

The HospoX crew welcome the artist formerly known as 'Mr Campari', Daniele Pirotta from Blox Ice, as special guest and they discuss the weirdest, dirtiest and most disgusting drinks served over bars globally. Industry veteran and venue 'mum', Victoria Ballantyne, also joins us a guest co-host for this episode - and gives Sal some much needed comeuppance! Special Guest: Daniel Pirotta from Blox Ice www.bloxice.com.au  Guest Host: Victoria Ballantyne, Sarino's Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

In this episode of HospoX, we delve into the weird and wonderful characters that frequent our bars and restaurants. Sometimes they are a little crazy - or even a little creepy - but it's our job to take care of them when they're inside our four walls.Our special guest is David Murphy, one of the originators  of Lyres non-alcoholic spirits, who shares his experiences of meeting some of the most famous and outrageous barflies in the  industry globally. Special Guest: David Murphy, Lyres Non Alcoholic Spirits.Episode  Sponsor:  LearnHospo Academy www.learnhospoacademy.com.au 

Sydney's nightlife has undergone a massive transition over the past decade, triggered by the one-punch killings of Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie back in 2013. Sydney's famous  party district Kings Cross was effectively shut down for business, costing operators millions and negative impacting Sydney's reputation as a world-class nightlife destination.  The HospoX crew are joined by Sydney bar consultant and owner of Social Spirits, Tom Bulmer, to discuss the current state of  Sydney nightlife is and whether it simply suffered a mild heart attack - or is dead on scene.  Special Guest: Tom Bulmer, Director, Social Spirits. Product Tasting: Part Time Rangers,  RTD's that support wildlife conservation.

If you've worked in hospo for any length of time, you'll know that finishing some shifts can feel like you've survived a war zone. Few outsiders can truly appreciate the amount the steps, customer crises and extended hours that this industry sometimes demands. In this episode, the Hospo X veterans welcome in Andy Tsai, Brown Forman NSW/ ACT Brand Ambassador, who bring in a few bottles of Jack Daniels to sip on while they all share their war stories. We also are graced by special guest host, Kylie Howell, an industry veteran and the mumma-bear of every venue she works in :) Special Guest Host: Kylie 'Mumma' Howell. Special Guest: Andy Tsai, Brown Forman NSW/ ACT Brand Ambassador. Product Tasting: Jack Daniels Apple & Soda.

The HospoX crew share hilarious stories of New Starter Cockups and read a fresh selection of listeners true stories (keep them coming in please!)  We also interview Fernet Branca's brand ambassador,  Federico Malavenda (Freddy),  from Amber Beverages and  learn about the highly-prized Fernet Branca coin, and how it's used in  bars around the world by those bartenders ‘in the know'. Special Guest: Federico Malavenda, Brand Ambassador, Fernet Branca Product Tasting: Fernet Branca 

Happy New Year from HospoX! What better way to start 2023 than with the madcap HospoX team sharing real-life stories from the hospitality trenches. The theme for this episode is Worst Food Failures and we feature former pro chef Mark Junkiewicz who recounts his famous Kerry Packer's pie story. Special guest: Mark Junkiewicz, Pro ChefProduct Tasting: Bernie's Social  Craft Spirits

Man, what a year for hospitality! The post Covid boom is real and people are partying again . It's great to see:)HospoX had a short season this year but what we lacked in episodes, we made up for in intensity!  In our 2022 Recap episode we highlight some of the crazy s$!t that went down over the past 4 episodes and also spliced in some of our favourite stories to date. We then preview EP5: Worst Food Failures,  in which we interview former top chef to the stars, Mark Junkiewicz.  This episode drops on Monday January 2nd, just in time to make it onto your New Years Resolution list to subscribe & listen to HospoX. Thanks to everyone who's listened so far - we hope you're enjoying the ride!

Interviewing to find good staff is both an art and a science. But sometimes more unorthodox interview techniques can also bear fruit - like asking a candidate to scull a stein of beer to get the job!In this episode, the HospoX crew share their strangest staff interview stories, we read new True Stories from listeners and interview the gorgeous Jeana  from an innovative new beauty Salon,  Bombshell Blow Dry Bar.Special guest: Jeana,  Bombshell Blow Dry BarProduct Tasting: Bella XO Shake & Serve Cocktails

With Melbourne Cup now in the rear vision mirror, the HospoX  crew reflects on why this day has become such an excuse to get so messy for many so punters.Sal recounts his infamous 'Shit Burrito' story and we interview the GM of the Best Metropolitan Hotel of the Year (AHA NSW Awards 2022).Special guest: Ben Waters, The Duke of Dural HotelProduct Tasting: Grant Burge Prosecco

The HospoX  crew share stories of their most annoying customers aka Killer Karens (and Darren's?)They share their thoughts on Karen's Diner and just what can be done to manage a killer Karen or Allan on a mission to complain.Special guest: Anthony Khoury from Showtek Entertainment.Product Tasting: Bernie's Social Craft Spirits and Liqueurs. Available for purchase via the Bernie's Social website.

The HospoX  podcast launches with the theme of ATL's (aka Ask to Leave - as in being asked to leave a bar or pub).Things quickly go south as the HospoX crew start recounting disturbing ATL situations involving bathrooms and plenty of bodily fluids.Special guest: Ricky Colosimo.Product Tasting: Island Mist Guilt Free Hard Seltzers now available at Dan Murphy's in store and online.