This year’s PITCHme panel is made of up of experienced industry leaders from across multiple sectors, all with expert knowledge in food and beverage.
Jon Hassall has held several senior, national, and international positions in England, across Europe and now in Australasia for some of the most well-known global hospitality brands and organisations. Currently the Chief Operating Officer at Café Brands Limited (Columbus Coffee, Mexico, YLC), Hassell will be looking for brands with a fit-for-purpose, but also exciting and innovative offering.
Sabrina Matai’a, General Manager Operations for Libelle Group, has worked in the foodservice industry her whole life, originally starting in Hotel Management. Her F&B experience extends from Event Management, Contract Catering, Education foodservice, Aged Care, Retail and Commercial dining, Tertiary education halls of residence and Restaurant Services.
Hospitality is in David Allott’s blood. Having started as a trainee Hotel Manager almost 40 years ago, this industry has provided Allott with opportunities to work in boutique restaurants in Provence, France; Hotels in London and Edinburgh; through to Convention Centres, Stadiums and Venues across New Zealand and Australia. He is currently the General Manager of Hospitality for Sky City Auckland.
In 2000, Lou Mitchell completed a Diploma of Culinary Arts at Christchurch Polytechnic. She then worked as a chef in Christchurch for around 10 years before taking the plunge and applying for a role with Foodstuffs South Island. In 2017, she accepted a new challenge as Category Manger for NPD Retail Ltd. In her five years at NPD, the company has opened eight new Refresh Café retail sites and set a new bar in Convenience Retail food to go.
Andrew Gibson has worked with food his entire life. He began working in his parent’s retail business when he was at school, before going on to study Microbiology at university. Like many students, Gibson did a lot of hospitality work while studying, leading him to work in kitchens, bars, and front of house roles when he travelled in the early 90’s. From retail in FMCG, Gibson moved to Ryman to support Hotel Services (Food, Laundry and Housekeeping) in villages.
Shelley Hughes, Marketing & Digital Innovation Manager – Wholesale for Foodstuffs North Island has an incredible amount of experience in marketing and communications. Foodies is a cooperative made up of 22,000 Kiwis, it serves more than 1.4 million New Zealanders each week through its PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and Gilmours operations, with 350 stores up and down the North Island alone.
CEO of Wendy’s NZ for more than 20 years, Danielle Lendich, knows a thing or two about foodservice in the QSR sector. Lendich is very hands on and involved in all aspects of the business including new product development. She always has her ear to the ground for new local suppliers and tastes that can be adopted to the fast-food space.
