Ananas

I know Sean from his days here in Australia, which is where he built, and sold his bar empire, and where his current business Barmetrix first was founded. Sean has been studying the business of bars for over two decades and has helped thousands of operators improve their profits. In this interview, we try to discover some of Sean’s best tips and tricks for succeeding in our very volatile industry and also look at what it is about Sean, and how he operates that has allowed him to build a...

A multi-award-winning bartender and inductee in the Tales of the Cocktail “Dames Hall of Fame”, Monica is considered one of the world’s most influential bar professionals and has in addition to working bars also spent a considerable amount of time travelling the world as a consultant, and running her own businesses. I had an amazing time chatting to Monica about everything from her love of Akevitt, our Norwegian national Spirit, to what it takes to be a great bartender, and how to add value...

Beyond the bar, Jack has also been very open about his past battles with alcohol and is today a champion for mental health. He’s also an avid marathon runner, and - I found out during our chat - an avid list keeper and a super organised and ambitious entrepreneur. Jack is constantly striving to be the very best at everything he does, so if you are aiming for excellence in life and at work, this is the podcast for you

Raj has worked all over the world in a variety of roles, but is perhaps most famous for his role as the global brand ambassador for Bombay Sapphire gin He’s recently left this enviable position to work full-time on growing his Bartender Boxing Organisation around the world Raj, is an absolute gentleman, always well dressed, always well spoken and considerate and I had an amazing time catching up with Raj on all things bar and booze as well as a number of topics including mental and...

Camille is most famous for her role as the global brand ambassador for St. Germain - elderflower liqueur; a position that earned her the award for International Brand Ambassador of the year at the 2017 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards She’s recently left her full time role as Madame St. Germain to start her own agency La Maison Wellness where her focus is mindful drinking and what she refers to as living like a healthy hedonist As you can tell from the length of this podcast we...

In this episode, we are turning the tables and asked YOU ask the questions, to host Sven Almenning🎙 From making tough business calls, creating the perfect cocktail menu or how to win cocktail comps🍸 Sven Almenning is the founder of Ananas, and Speakeasy Group, a multi award winning bar and restaurant group in Australia that includes Eau de Vie, Mjølner, Boilermaker House & Nick & Nora’s. Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2009 Bar Awards, and named one of Australia’s...

Dean is probably most famous for his role as the global brand ambassador for Monkey Shoulder, a job he left after 6 years with William Grant & Sons, back in October 2016 to focus on his consultancy services and to pursue other passions. He’s also recently become a dad, and is currently juggling a number of projects that he has on the go. Catching up with Dean is never boring, always fun, and you always come away having learned something new. At least I always do. If you are aspiring to...

In this episode, we have Maurice Terzini, a living hospitality legend, style icon and one of the most creative operators I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Maurice is the founder and owner of the world-famous Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Bondi, as well as a number of other venues including, Bondi Beach Public Bar and the Dolphin Hotel. He’s also the man behind fashion label ten Pieces, and the Australian ambassador and co-owner of gin brand Goldy. He has won more awards, both...

In this episode we have the amazing Justine Baker joining us – Justine is the CEO of the Solotel group, which includes iconic venues such as the Opera Bar, The Golden Sheaf, and Kings Cross Hotel to mention just three of the ca 30 venues that form part of their business. I first met Justine a year or so ago or so when I was looking into how we could improve the number of female managers and leaders across our bar and restaurant business, and the conversation we had then left me super...

Dave is no doubt more used to being on the other side of the mic, asking rather than answering questions so it was super cool for us to have the opportunity to interview this Titan of the Australian bar Industry on our Podcast. Dave is a serial entrepreneur and has launched a number of companies and publications over the years, and is someone who is not afraid to try something and then pivot or close it down should it no longer be working. He’s also got a unique front-row seat to...

Anton is such a key figure in the Australian bar Scene that he has, along with his former business partner Jason Scott, been dominating the top spot on the Australian bartender Magazine’s Most Influential list three times. Anton is one of those very few special people that seem to have a magic touch where everything he touches seems to turn to gold. In this conversation, I try to figure out what it is that makes his venues so special, what his philosophies about hospitality are and how he...

In addition to collecting a number of awards for Momofuku, Kylie has also been individually recognised for her outstanding efforts and talents and was awarded 'Restaurant Manager of the Year' in the inaugural Women in Foodservice Awards 2017. As well as winning the Award for Service Excellence as part of the 2018 Good Food Guide in Australia. Kylie is just super inspirational, and seems to have boundless amounts of energy. Her approach to the hospitality profession is fantastic and I learnt...

Conversation spans a lot of topics, from discussing his time working in Europe for Tomas Estes and the Café Pacifico brand of cantinas and bars to him setting up his own Pacifico venue here in Sydney to his current work where he travels the world hosting seminars and educating hospitality staff on all things agave as part of his AGAVE LOVE conferences. https://ananasacademy.com

Simon has to be one of the absolute leading experts on Gin, which is why we are super grateful to not only have him on this Podcast, but to have him as our curator for all Gin content on the Ananas platform. Simon is also well known for his role as Chairman and Host of the Spirited Awards, and is a well known and popular presenter, speaker and competition judge at numerous bar and industry shows and conferences around the world. I was lucky enough to catch up with Simon on a recent...

In this episode, we cover off topics ranging from Jacob's early days as the vodka professor for 42 Below Vodka, up until his current global role with Bacardi. There is no doubt that Jacob is one of the most well-travelled and well-spoken, not too mention one of the most humble professionals in our industry, and I would have loved to keep this chat going for many hours. For anyone aspiring to one day become a brand ambassador, or to just be awesome at your job, this podcast comes highly...

Sven and Paige dig deep on the mental and physical highs and lows of the industry as well as some of the challenges faced by women in hospitality. We hope you enjoy and are inspired as much listening, as we were producing this! https://ananasacademy.com

His first bar, Bulletin Place has won Australian Cocktail Bar of the Year a massive FOUR times. In this episode, Sven and Tim not only covers his successes, but also some of the hardship and challenges that comes with competing at the very highest level, and of course the many dramas and obstacles of owning and running your own business. We hope you enjoy our very first Ananas Podcast. https://ananasacademy.com