April Luncheon | The Business of Food: Hospitality & the Local Economy

Name: April Luncheon | The Business of Food: Hospitality & the Local Economy
Start: 2026-04-14T02:00:00+10:00
End: 2026-04-14T04:00:00+10:00
Location: Crystalbrook Kingsley

Schedule

Tue Apr 14 2026 at 02:00 am to 04:00 am

UTC+10:00

Location

Crystalbrook Kingsley | Newcastle, NS

Back for its sixth year, Newcastle Food Month 2026 takes over the city from 1–30 April, and Newcastle Business Club is excited to host an event aligned with this theme and celebrate our local hospitality and business leaders in the field. Prepare to take a journey with our 3 panellists and be ready to learn about the “hospitality road’ that exists and how it truly changes people’s everyday lives.
Meet our Speakers
Eduardo Molina
Originally from Nicaragua, Eduardo moved to Australia in 2018 after spending 13 years in San Francisco. His time in San Francisco was foundational; he was part of the formative years at the three Michelin-starred restaurant Saison and contributed to launching various successful venues, ranging from fine dining to casual taco bars.
Since arriving in Australia, he has become the co-owner of Flotilla, where he focuses on creating a dynamic wine program and delivering genuine hospitality. Most recently, he partnered with Stephanie and Michael from Humbug to launch Papalote, a Mexican restaurant centred on vibrant flavours and cultural origin.
His passion for wine and food is deeply rooted in respect for makers and farmers, and he is committed to fostering a progressive and inclusive hospitality industry

Stephanie Wells & Michael Portley
Stephanie Wells and Michael Portley are the co-owners of Humbug and Papalote, two standout dining destinations in Newcastle, NSW. Together, they combine Michael’s extensive culinary experience with Stephanie’s expertise in hospitality, wine and guest experience to create restaurants that are vibrant, welcoming and thoughtfully designed.
Known for their produce-driven food, warm service and strong sense of place, Stephanie and Michael have built venues that reflect both their creativity and genuine love of hospitality. Their work continues to shape Newcastle’s evolving food scene, with each restaurant offering a distinct experience grounded in flavour, community and connection.