Kat Hughan is a nonbinary ex-pat from hospitality, who just can’t stay away. After almost 2 decades working in across almost every arena, from being behind the pans and tins, to managing events and tours, to MCing for parliamentary events, Kat has seen and given almost every aspect of hospitality in Australia a crack. Using their social work studies to promote diversity in the workplace, and creating inclusive spaces are always at the heart of Kats work, whether that’s on the floor, behind the mic, or in their personal life. Kat’s main passion is facilitating conversations, where knowledge can be shared, and everyone is given a seat at the table.

Katrina Marson was a criminal lawyer for a decade, specialising in sexual offences. She led the ACT’s implementation of the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission’s criminal justice recommendations.

She researched the implementation of relationships and sexuality education overseas on a 2019 Churchill Fellowship (report titled Ignorance is not Innocence). She has been appointed to the government’s National Respectful Relationships Education Expert Working Group.

Katrina is currently completing her PhD in sex-education. She delivered a TEDx Talk on why consent education isn’t enough in late 2022, shortly after her first book, Legitimate Sexpectations: the power of sex-ed, was published.

While Daisy considers herself a Sydneysider, Daisy has lived in Israel, USA, England, Brisbane, Townsville, Singleton, Puckapunyal and Canberra. At 16, after finally settling in Sydney, she played in one of the most seminal ‘all-girl’ indie rock quintents of her generation "Bridezilla", touring with the biggest bands in the world and playing in front of 20,000 people on sold-out festival stages around the world. She often cites having Nick Cave watch them side stage at a festival he curated in New York as a career highlight.

A chance foray into the world of hospitality via the challenge of turning around a struggling nightclub set a new trajectory for Daisy’s career. What started as ad hoc design and marketing work quickly evolved into a more serious, full-time, creative direction. This culminated in taking over the entire marketing for the MUCHO Group and its stable of venues - Tio’s, The Cliff Dive, Cantina OK!, OK! Sparkling Margarita Seltzer and Bar Planet.

After 5 years, Daisy was promoted to the role General Manager of the Mucho Group and now oversees its strategic direction and future.

Her career as a young musician also gave her the unique perspective of what it actually felt like to be a product from a young age. Her analytical approach to marketing and business strategy is borne out of these first hand experience; all of which has given her an innate and instinctive feeling for what people are looking for from brands.

Daisy’s life informs her approach. Living across the globe and meeting people from different walks of life has given Daisy unshakable empathy and a deep desire to understand what makes them tick. Whether it’s the people she works with, or the guests she caters to, Daisy’s objective is to humanise experiences and bring joy to as many people as possible.

Truly inspiring to all she works with, Daisy is also driven by truth and fairness. Fiercely loyal and protective, she has the uncanny ability to build world-class teams and help the people around her achieve their potential. Always willing to thrust her teams into the spotlight, Daisy epitomises the modern manager. Characterising her as having the midas touch would undersell the hard work, obsession and care she puts into everything she works on. Her success is well earned and her star is only continuing to rise.

Vivant Selections was established in 2016 by Liz Carey after a hospitality career that spanned 25 years running some of Australia’s top restaurants. We import and distribute wines of purity and character across Australia. Over the ensuing years the number of producers we work with has grown to become a portfolio showcasing some of the most dynamic wine producers from Europe and Australia. It goes without saying, we import wines that we enjoy drinking. We don’t follow trends and we buy based on taste.

With over 15 years of experience, Bridget Raffal is a respected restaurant and wine consultant, sommelier, and wine judge. She is the Vice President of Sommeliers Australia and, in 2021, co-founded Women and Revolution, a charity based on Gadigal Land in Sydney, dedicated to addressing gender inequality in the wine and hospitality industries.

A two-time recipient of the Sommelier’s Choice Award, Bridget was previously the Head Sommelier at Sixpenny, where her expertise played a key role in securing the restaurant’s prestigious third hat. Her contributions to the field were further recognized in 2023 when she was named Sommelier of the Year by the Good Food Guide.

Bridget now owns and operates the award-winning Where’s Nick Wine Bar in Marrickville, Sydney, a venue known for its thoughtful approach to wine and hospitality.

Hannah Costello is the Co-Founder and Head of Food and Beverage at Café Stepping Stone, a work integration social enterprise that provides employment and training opportunities to migrant and refugee women. With over 15 years of experience in both front and back of house hospitality roles, Hannah brings deep industry knowledge and a passion for social impact. In recognition of her work, she were named the 2025 Australian of the Year Local Hero.

I am Tom Opie, proud Wiradjuri man and born and raised in the gong! I love running, callisthenics, video games and obviously flavour. I have been obsessed with flavour and texture for a long long time and I guess that is how this all began.

Started at a restaurant in Wollongong and immediately became fascinated with this bartending thing. From there, my stubbornness led me to ensuring literally nothing went in the bin. Would not matter if it were citrus pulp, I wanted to eat or drink it. Hundreds of hours in the dojo took me to Italy, France and all sorts of places around the country just to make drinks. Now I am at the Waratah learning from one of my true heroes in life.

I thought being 30 would make me feel washed up but I think 5 years of chronic depression and anxiety has spurred on this undying journey for knowledge and how to better the world, the people around us and our palates: to create and sustain life. The journey never ends but this is a brief summary.

Hany Ezzat started in hospitality at the ripe old age of 11. The founder of Ni Wares, the game-changing brand behind the internationally used dual-lipped cup that has redefined how coffee is experienced. With over nine years at ONA Coffee in sales and various work, Hany also consults for leading brands like Milklab, helping shape Australia’s specialty coffee scene. A five-time Brewers Cup finalist and coach of the 2024 Australian Roasting Champion, Hany blends innovation, competition excellence, and deep industry insight in every facet of his work.

A local Canberran born and raised with a huge love of the industry.