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Michael McKay

If I don’t write I lose grip. I also podcast. I enjoy the beach less than the average Australian. And I strive to be the man who my dog thinks I am.

Recent Posts

Why is there a hospitality skills shortage?

Posted by Michael McKay on Apr 3, 2017 8:45:00 AM

There is no denying there is a global skills shortage in hospitality. According to the Foodservice Consultants Society International, the skills shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry. In their Taste of Society 2020 Report, they predicted that the industry would continue to see a skills shortage over the next few years.

And it’s not just foodservice operators feeling the pinch of an under-skilled labour force. Hotels are also struggling to match staff skill levels with customer demands.

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Topics: Hospitality operations, Hotels, Hospitality insights, Hospitality managers, Restaurants

9 benefits of blended learning in hospitality

Posted by Michael McKay on Mar 27, 2017 9:00:00 AM

Blended learning is taking the hospitality industry by storm. According to a Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers survey, 69% of limited service restaurants, 58% of full service restaurants, and 88% of hotels and lodgings use eLearning to train their staff. 

But aside from cost, what are the benefits of blended learning considering the industry is so people-centric?

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Topics: Hospitality insights, Schools, Hospitality training

Bartending: how to go from bar back to cocktail master

Posted by Michael McKay on Nov 3, 2016 9:05:00 AM

At this year’s Australian Bar Awards, Swillhouse absolutely cleaned up and their creative drink consultant James Irvine took home Bartender of the Year.

The Swillhouse team runs four very successful venues in Sydney - Shady Pines Saloon, The Baxter Inn, Frankie’s Pizza and Restaurant Hubert. James works across all four as a highly skilled bartender and consultant. He was the national winner of 2015’s Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge and is the Australian ambassador for Angostura.

We caught up with James recently to talk about bartending, competing and working for the powerhouse of creativity and hustle that is Swillhouse.

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Topics: Hospitality career tips, Hotels, Hospitality staff, Bars

But first, coffee – tips from Eden-Marie Abramowicz

Posted by Michael McKay on Oct 27, 2016 9:05:00 AM

Eden-Marie Abramowicz is a Los Angeles-based competitive barista who recently started her own coffee consulting company, Bastet – named after the fierce Egyptian goddess. Eden-Marie is an advocate for approachable coffee education. She believes that quality coffee should be enjoyed by everyone, without exclusion and intimidation. Through consultancy and teaching, she is spreading the word of specialty coffee. You may recognize her face from the 2015 film Barista which followed her journey to the National Barista Championship in the US, along with four other competitors. 

We caught up with Eden-Marie to talk about coffee education, competitions, and her ideas on making specialty coffee accessible for everyone to enjoy.

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Topics: Hospitality career tips, Hotels, Hospitality staff, Restaurants

Talking events planning, with Georgie Kay

Posted by Michael McKay on Oct 13, 2016 9:05:00 AM

Georgie Kay is the founder and creative director of Melbourne-based Georgeous and George, styling and events companies that specialize in weddings, private functions and corporate events. We talked to Georgie about her journey from studying and working in hospitality management, to offering fresh perspectives on special occasions with her events team.

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Topics: Hospitality marketing