The PAX Hospitality Podcast

In part two of our Pizzeria Magma feature, host Leon sits down with co-owner Michael Bascetta and head chef Matilde Razzoli to explore the craft behind their exceptional menu.Matilde brings a rich background from Michelin-starred fine dining kitchens to modern Neapolitan pizza making, applying meticulous attention to detail and a philosophy of simplification. Learn how Magma achieves their signature light, digestible crust through a precise 69% hydration dough, cooked to hold its shape perfectly.The team also breaks down their dedicated gluten-free program using locally milled rice flour from Ardor, their approach to authentic front-of-house service, and the story behind their famous alcohol-free tiramisu adapted from Matilde's brother.Tune in for an inspiring conversation on elevating classic Italian comfort food through culinary mastery and genuine hospitality.(00:03:45) Modern Neapolitan Style & 69% Hydration Dough(00:07:30) Exploring Pizza Styles: From Roman to New York(00:11:15) Bringing Michelin-Star Fine Dining to Pizza Making(00:15:45) The Art of Simplification in Food Philosophy(00:19:45) Crafting Traditional Pastas & Seasonal Dishes(00:23:45) Redefining Hospitality as a Service to Others(00:26:45) Pizzeria Magma's Dedicated Gluten-Free ProgramFor more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourneFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFor more information on Pizzeria Magma, visit the Pizzeria Magma website.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, host Leon sits down with venue owner and hospitality operator Michael Bascetta to dissect the hot topics shaping Australia's food and beverage industry.Moving past media sensationalism, they examine data-backed realities behind headline-grabbing stats. Michael shares ground-level operational perspectives as they analyse CreditorWatch's 12.03% closure rate, revealing how high entry rates mean the industry is churning rather than shrinking.They unpack the credit card surcharge ban as a catalyst for overdue menu repricing and address the nuanced chef shortage - highlighting a critical 56% drop in new apprenticeships despite steady metro headcount. Packed with practical economic insights, this candid conversation challenges prevailing narratives and offers actionable takeaways for modern operators looking to build resilient, culture-driven hospitality businesses.(00:00:00) Introduction and Setting Up Hot Topics(00:02:50) CreditorWatch Data and Industry Closure Rates(00:09:40) Market Churn: Closures vs Opening Rates(00:18:10) Impact of the Credit Card Surcharge Ban(00:26:30) Payment Processing Costs and Market Correction(00:32:20) Analysing the Chef Shortage and Metro Headcount(00:38:10) The Apprenticeship Deficit and Future OutlookFor access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-7. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at. If you're keen to get in touch, contact [email protected]. If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ]We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this episode of Happy Hour, host Leon sits down with Emma and Greg, the real and authentic couple behind Melbourne’s ready-made meal business, Northside Grocer. Over a birthday beer, they uncover the messy reality of running a small business together, navigating high-stakes cashflow challenges, and avoiding dangerous financial traps. Emma shares the power of authentic influencer marketing, while Greg highlights operational efficiencies and team growth. Together, they open up about balancing marriage and entrepreneurship, the burden of decision fatigue, and the importance of professional sounding boards. Discover how practicing a weekly 'win, fail, grateful' ritual builds psychological resilience and perspective in the high-pressure hospitality industry.(00:45) Introduction to Emma and Greg from Northside Grocer(06:55) Connecting with an authentic influencer for growth(12:48) Operational efficiency wins in small business(13:55) Navigating cashflow struggles and financial traps(17:10) Finding time for weekly planning amidst the hustle(28:00) Balancing marriage, therapy, and business partnership(35:30) How "win, fail, grateful" builds psychological perspectiveFor more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourneFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFor more information on Northside Grocer, visit the Northside Grocer website.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, host Leon sits down with industry expert Sean Whitford to unpack the critical management conversations every hospitality business owner needs to be having right now.Drawing from their daily interactions with leaders across Melbourne's top dining establishments, Leon and Sean break down practical frameworks for solving the industry's biggest management hurdles.Discover how to transition from reactive firefighting to proactive leadership using SMART goal setting, effective feedback models, and situational leadership strategies. Learn why embracing initial team friction - the "storming" phase - is essential for building long-term trust, driving accountability, and achieving sustainable operational success.Whether you're onboarding new executives or scaling your venue, this episode delivers actionable tools to elevate your leadership game.(00:03:15) Accountability and expectation setting(00:09:00) Setting SMART goals that stick(00:13:15) Making labour and COGS targets achievable(00:19:45) Three categories of effective feedback(00:26:30) Ownership versus role clarity(00:30:00) Navigating situational leadership(00:41:30) Understanding Tuckman's team development modelFor access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-6. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at. If you're keen to get in touch, contact [email protected]. If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ]We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this special episode of Happy Hour, host Leon sits down with his PAX partner Michael Bascetta (Bar Liberty, Capitano, The Pinnacle) to pull back the curtain on opening their newest venue, Pizzeria Magma.Just ten days prior to settlement, their primary investor unexpectedly pulled out, threatening to derail the entire venture. Michael candidly breaks down the high-stakes financial pivot, combining existing investor loans and bank debt to keep the dream alive.Beyond surviving the crisis, they discuss empowering key team members into leadership and co-ownership roles, fine-tuning venue operations alongside OpenTable, and expanding their menu to capture day-to-night community dining. Tune in for an honest, insightful masterclass in resilience, hospitality operations, and strategic venue expansion.(00:00) Introduction and OpenTable partnership(03:45) Connecting with Mathilde and taking over Pizzeria Magma(08:30) Calculating brand equity and securing lease extensions(18:45) Investor backing drops 10 days before settlement(24:15) Executing the rapid financial pivot with bank debt(35:45) Career growth and internal promotions at AM:PM Hospitality(41:45) Redesigning the Pizzeria Magma menu for day-to-night serviceFor more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourneFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFor more information on Pizzeria Magma, visit Pizzeria Magma on Instagram.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, Leon sits down with Frank Versace, an industry veteran who has spent years navigating the wide spectrum of lenders and now represents Judo Bank. Together, they demystify the often-intimidating world of securing bank finance for hospitality businesses. Frank dispels common myths, explaining why relying solely on cashflow for growth is a major pitfall and how operators can instead leverage debt effectively. Listeners will gain crucial insights into building "confidence" with lenders, the importance of maintaining immaculate financial hygiene, and why including an honest risk assessment in applications is a winning strategy. Frank also explains how banks evaluate security - from lease values to personal guarantees - and shares a practical, four-step checklist to prepare you for your next bank meeting. Stop guessing and learn exactly how to build a lasting financial relationship.(00:00:00) Introduction to the episode and the hospitality funding gap(00:02:45) Why funding business growth through cashflow is a major mistake(00:04:15) Demystifying the relationship manager vs. credit decision-makers(00:08:00) How banks evaluate business confidence and borrower capability(00:18:30) De-risking loan applications by being honest about business threats(00:31:30) Explaining bank security, lease value, and personal guarantees(00:39:15) A practical four-step checklist for successful finance applicationsFor access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-5. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at. If you're keen to get in touch, contact [email protected]. If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ]We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this episode of Happy Hour, host Leon sits down with Renee Buckingham, creator of the Melbourne Vegan Guide and Sydney Vegan Guide, presenter, and community builder dedicated to helping people uplift their lives through spreading joy. Over a crisp Malt Donkey craft beer, Renee and Leon dive into an honest "Win, Fail, Grateful" check-in. Renee shares her triumphant return from an eight-month injury to hit a personal best in a 21k half-marathon, while opening up about the reality of creative clutter and messy spaces. Meanwhile, Leon reflects on using AI for deep life questions, navigating the challenges of maintaining social connections, and the emotional impact of fostering a guide dog in training. Tune in for a candid conversation on hospitality, community, physical resilience, and the power of meaningful connection.(00:00:00) Introduction to Renee Buckingham and her community platform(00:03:30) Tasting Malt Donkey beer and sustainable brewing(00:09:25) Renee's Win: Running a half-marathon PB post-injury(00:11:10) Leon's Win: Exploring AI for deep life decisions(00:15:45) Renee's Fail: Dealing with room clutter and creative life(00:20:00) Leon's Fail: Struggling with maintaining social connections(00:27:30) Leon's Grateful: Fostering Wilson and the power of petsFor more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourneFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFor more information on Melbourne Vegan Guide, follow MelbveganguidePodcast produced by Posterboy Media.

Every founder eventually hits the "operational vortex," but few have the right tether to pull themselves out. In this episode, we sit down with Matt Stirling of the acclaimed Fancy Free Group - the visionaries behind Melbourne institutions like Caretaker’s Cottage and Three Horses, 2026 Best Bar in Victoria. Matt dives deep into the necessity of role clarity at the ownership level, explaining why even successful founders struggle to define their own job descriptions. We discuss the shift from a "helping" mindset to a "supportive" one, the critical role of accountability in high-performance hospitality, and how structure is not a constraint, but a pathway to creative freedom. Whether you’re a business owner feeling stuck in the day-to-day or a leader looking to refine your management style, Matt’s candid insights on building trust, growth, and sustainable culture offer a blueprint for scaling with confidence.(00:01:00) Escaping the operational vortex(00:03:30) Priorities reflected in behaviour(00:13:15) The mantra: support don't help(00:26:30) Understanding servant leadership(00:33:30) Structuring your purpose statement(00:43:30) Employee experience drives customer loyalty(00:47:30) Building resilience through love and boundariesFor access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-4. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at. If you're keen to get in touch, contact [email protected]. If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ]We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know hereFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this episode of Happy Hour, host Leon sits down with Guy Greenstone, the co-founder of Stomping Ground Brewing Co., to unpack real-world advice straight from the PAX mailbag. Transitioning from the high-stakes strategy of the PAX Podcast to a conversational pint, Leon and Guy dive into three massive listener dilemmas. First, they solve the venue music crisis, highlighting why acoustics and curated playlists form the ultimate hospitality "X-factor". Next, they tackle a listener's frustration with greenwashing, explaining the positive cash-flow reality of solar investment and why staff must "be the change". Finally, they offer valuable guidance to a 24-year-old supervisor on handling tough feedback and embracing vulnerability as a key leadership tool. Packed with top-tier podcast recommendations - from business deep dives to economic stories - this episode is an informal, action-oriented masterclass for anyone looking to elevate their hospitality game.(00:02:15) Malt Donkey and Single-Estate Barley(00:05:45) Conversational Community: Happy Hour vs. PAX Podcast(00:07:45) Cracking the Venue Music Crisis(00:20:25) Top Podcast Recommendations for Hospitality(00:28:45) Tackling Greenwashing and Sustainability Dilemmas(00:30:45) The Business Case for Solar Power(00:41:00) Accidental Leadership and Young Supervisor AdviceFor more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourneFollow @pax.melbourne on social media.We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know here.For more information on Stomping Ground, visit Stomping Ground Brewing Co.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, host Leon Kennedy challenges the pervasive industry narrative that hospitality is completely broken. Joining the conversation is Simon Bell, a distinguished Professor of Marketing at the University of Melbourne who specialises in services and marketing strategy. Drawing from decades of academic research and frameworks like Michael Porter’s Five Forces, Simon provides a refreshing analysis of Melbourne's hyper-competitive food landscape, illustrating why the experience economy remains in a powerful ascendancy.The pair dive into the strategic advantages of customer education, revealing how transparency and "delighters" - such as sharing proprietary recipes - actually cultivate unshakeable customer loyalty. Leon and Simon unpack actionable methodologies for operators, detailing how profound internal employee experience directly underpins external brand equity. The episode concludes with a preview of a structured customer experience course centred around the vital concept of "service blueprinting".(00:00:15) Introducing Professor Simon Bell and rewriting the broken hospitality narrative(00:06:00) Applying Porter's Five Forces and analysing the fierce density of the Melbourne market(00:09:15) Navigating the ascendancy of the experience economy and authentic customer connection(00:14:00) The critical power of positive business narrative versus negative self-fulfilling prophecies(00:19:45) Defining customer education and why pulling back the curtain drives firm-specific loyalty(00:38:45) Inverting the organisational pyramid to empower and support front-line employees(00:51:15) Structuring a new three-workshop customer experience course around service blueprintingFor access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-3. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at. If you're keen to get in touch, contact [email protected]. If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ]Follow @pax.melbourne on social media.Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.