Principle of Hospitality

Kicking off our first ep From Hospitality to Household, Host Chelsea Ford sits down with Lachlan Ward, CEO and partner of Melbourne specialty coffee roaster ST. ALi, reflecting on the brand’s 20-year journey and its role as an early pioneer in Australia’s specialty coffee movement.
From its beginnings in South Melbourne to becoming one of the country’s most recognisable coffee brands, Lachlan shares how ST. ALi built a reputation for quality, innovation and accessibility. The conversation explores how the business selects café partners based on shared values, and why expanding into major grocery retail was a natural step, driven by demand for high-quality coffee at home and the opportunity to reach customers beyond café walls.
Chelsea and Lachlan unpack the realities of entering retail, from understanding sales velocity and shopper data to navigating concerns around cannibalising café partners. Lachlan explains how ST. ALi maintained its premium positioning, resisted discount-driven growth, and instead focused on bringing new coffee drinkers into the category.
They also discuss shifting consumer preferences toward more balanced, milk-friendly flavour profiles, the growing demand for decaf, and the rise of cold coffee and concentrates. Along the way, Lachlan shares insights into gifting-led product innovation, inspiration drawn from coffee culture across Asia, and what’s next for the brand, including expansion into Singapore.
Thoughtful, honest, and commercially grounded, this episode offers valuable insights for founders, operators, and anyone interested in the evolving intersection of hospitality, retail, and consumer packaged goods.
Guest info:
stali.com.au / @st_ali
Host info:
foodpreneursfestival.com / @foodpreneursfestival
chelseaford.com / @chelsea.ford.co
Connect with POH:
principleofhospitality.com / @principle_of_hospitality
For Brand Strategy, Design & Creative Support:
principledesign.com.au / @principledesign

In this episode, Renee Buckingham sits down with renowned pastry chef, author, and Great Australian Bake Off judge, Darren Purchese.
From a food-obsessed childhood in the UK to elite kitchens in London, Darren reflects on the unexpected journey that brought him to Australia and shaped an extraordinary career. Known for his work across The Great Australian Bake Off, MasterChef Australia, bestselling cookbooks, and now his creative platform StudioKitchen, Darren shares why pastry became his calling, and how precision, structure, and understanding why things work underpin everything he does.
The conversation explores mentorship, specialisation versus versatility in modern hospitality, and how Darren has evolved beyond the restaurant to build a sustainable, creative life in food through teaching, storytelling, and digital influence. Thoughtful, generous, and grounded, this episode offers insight for chefs, creatives, and anyone building longevity in the hospitality industry.
Guest info:
@darrenpurchese
studiokitchen.com.au / @lovestudiokitchen
Connect with POH:
principleofhospitality.com / @principle_of_hospitality
For Brand Strategy, Design & Creative Support:
principledesign.com.au / @principledesign

A big thank you to Pay.com.au for sponsoring this episode and for their continued support of Australia’s hospitality industry.
Pay.com.au, is a payment platform that rewards your business for doing what it already does every day: paying suppliers, rent, utilities and more. Learn more at Pay.com.au, today!
Mentioned in this episode:
Pay.com.au

In this episode, host Renee sits down with Dilu Kulathungam, co-owner and creative behind Joy Cupcakes, Lulu & Me Cheesecakes and Chrystalla’s.
Dilu reflects on her journey through hospitality, including the 15 years of success behind Joy Cupcakes and the rise of Lulu & Me Cheesecakes. Built around a pay-by-weight Basque cheesecake offering, the Collingwood space struck a chord quickly, gaining momentum online by doing something familiar in a quietly different way.
The conversation also touches on Chrystalla’s, their newest restaurant, a concept shaped by comfort food and shared memory, and what it takes to build hospitality businesses that last.
All three businesses are co-owned by twin pastry chefs Dilu and Jini, alongside Michael Diamandis, who supported the sisters from the outset in pursuing their passion for food.
Guest info:
lulu-me-cheesecakes / @luluandme_cheesekcakes
@chrystallas_kitchen
joycupcakes / @joycupcakes

Connect with POH:
principleofhospitality.com / @principle_of_hospitality
For Brand Strategy, Design & Creative Support:
principledesign.com.au / @principledesign

A big thank you to Pay.com.au for sponsoring this episode and for their continued support of Australia’s hospitality industry.
Pay.com.au, is a payment platform that rewards your business for doing what it already does every day: paying suppliers, rent, utilities and more. Learn more at Pay.com.au, today!
Mentioned in this episode:
Pay.com.au

In this episode, we sit down with Benjamin Vaughan, CEO and Co-Founder of Mile End Bagels, to unpack the story behind one of Melbourne’s most beloved bagel institutions.
Ben shares his journey from launching a crepe stall at Melbourne Uni with a $5,000 credit card to building a cult-followed brand known for its Montreal-style bagels, strong culture, and unwavering commitment to quality.
We dive into the realities of running and scaling a hospitality business, understanding your numbers, building a dedicated team, crafting a standout product, and navigating growth with intention. Ben also shares insights into Mile End’s menu development, customer experience philosophy, and his plans to expand into Sydney and Brisbane.
A warm, honest conversation about creativity, resilience, and what it truly takes to build a brand that lasts.

Guest info:
mile-end.com.au / @mile_end_bagels
Connect with POH:
principleofhospitality.com / @principle_of_hospitality
For Brand Strategy, Design & Creative Support:
principledesign.com.au / @principledesign
A big thank you to Pay.com.au for sponsoring this episode and for their continued support of Australia’s hospitality industry.
Pay.com.au, is a payment platform that rewards your business for doing what it already does every day: paying suppliers, rent, utilities and more. Learn more at Pay.com.au, today!
Mentioned in this episode:
Pay.com.au

In this episode, host Renee Buckingham chats with Jessi Singh, the creative force redefining Indian dining through his bold and ‘unauthentic’ approach to cuisine. From Melbourne to Miami, Jessi has built an empire of vibrant, personality-filled restaurants, including Babu Ji, Daughter in Law, and Bibi Ji, each celebrating flavour, colour, and culture in their own way.
They unpack his journey from India to the world stage, exploring the evolution of Indian food, the contrasts between Australian and American hospitality, and what it really takes to build a lasting legacy in this ever-changing industry.

Guest info:
@jesssi_singh
Connect with POH:
principleofhospitality.com / @principle_of_hospitality
For Brand Strategy, Design & Creative Support:
principledesign.com.au / @principledesign
A big thank you to Pay.com.au for sponsoring this episode and for their continued support of Australia’s hospitality industry.
Pay.com.au, is a payment platform that rewards your business for doing what it already does every day: paying suppliers, rent, utilities and more. Learn more at Pay.com.au, today!
Mentioned in this episode:
Pay.com.au