Bite Size: Recent Episodes
Xanny Christophersen
Welcome to Bite-Sized - Brought to you by Priestley's Gourmet Delights. With each episode, we look to bring you ideas and insight into the Foodservice industry. Whether you're a distributor, a chain, or an individual venue owner, these episodes are designed to break down things happening in the industry and give you a bite-sized summary of it.
hosted by Xanny Christophersen
In this episode, Xanny sits down with Alastair McLeod, a much-loved Brisbane-based celebrity chef, whose stellar career has taken him from Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe to television screens and dining tables around Australia.
Known for his warmth, wit and signature Irish charm, the executive chef of former Brisbane favourite, Brett’s Wharf, shares stories from his incredible career, his extensive international travels, his love of people and the joy of thoughtfully preparing meals using locally grown produce.
Xanny and Alastair chat about how taking cooking back to the basics creates a deeper connection to food, the land it’s grown on and the people who grow it. This grassroots philosophy is what inspired Alastair to start his catering businesses and what continues to drive his passion today.
Whether you’re a foodie, a home cook or simply love a good laugh and a great story, this episode will leave you inspired, entertained and maybe even a little bit hungry!
Want more of Alastair? Follow him on Instagram at @chef_mcleod or his business Al’FreshCo Catering at @alfreshco_catering.
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au.
Produced By The Podcast Boss
In this episode, Xanny sits down with Jess Watkinson, CEO for Foodbank Queensland – the state’s largest hunger relief charity.
With over 20 years of experience in government and not for profit roles, Jess share’s her insights into the growing issue of food insecurity, who it’s really affecting and how Foodbank is working tirelessly to create a hunger free future.
Together, Xanny and Jess explore the crucial role of partnerships in tackling food insecurity, the innovation approaches Foodbank is taking within the charitable food sector and how businesses like Priestley’s can play a pivotal role in driving real impact.
Jess also breaks down how everyday Queenslanders can be part of the solution – showing how even a $1 donation can help provide a nourishing meal to someone in need.
Whether you’re a business owner, community member or simply someone who wants to help, this episode will leave you inspired and informed about how small actions can create a big change.
To donate or to learn how you can support Foodbank Queensland, visit their website at https://www.foodbank.org.au/?state=qld
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au
Produced by The Podcast Boss
In this episode, Xanny sits down with Sam Burke, Corporate Executive Chef and Foodservice Business Development Manager for Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
A true champion of Aussie red meat, Sam has had red meat in his veins since day one. Starting out as an apprentice chef, he carved out a remarkable career across butcher shops, corporate catering, leisure and sporting events, including the Olympics and Rugby World Cup and even royalty dinners.
Since stepping into the Executive Chef role at MLA in 2014, Sam has been a global ambassador for premium Australian red meat, proudly showcasing its quality and versatility to chefs and communities around the world.
Sam and Xanny chat about how the Australian foodservice industry has evolved over the last three decades, why building ‘culinary confidence’ is key to creating a better dining experience and Sam’s new YouTube series, Raise the Steaks.
Whether you’re curious about the behind the scenes of Australia’s red meat industry or just love a good chat from a chef who’s seen it all, this episode is packed with insights for both business and consumers that you won’t want to miss!
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @PriestleysGourmetDelights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au
Produced By The Podcast Boss
In this episode, Xanny sits down with chef and culinary sensation Kishwar Chowdhury, who captured national attention as a finalist on MasterChef Australia in 2021.
From her Melbourne upbring with Bangladeshi and Indian roots, to introducing millions of Australians to the bold and rich flavours of Bengali cuisine, Kishwar shares how cooking has become her life’s passion.
They dive into her journey, from working in the family printing business to becoming a national TV finalist. They also touch on how MasterChef Australia gave her a platform to spotlight cultures in the culinary world and how she challenged fine dining norms.
The conversation explores the harmony between Bengali flavours and Australian produce, as well as Kishwar’s work with the Australian Government to highlight the incredible quality of the local ingredients.
If you’re interested in Kishwar’s journey or the connection of food and culture, this episode is a must listen.
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @PriestleysGourmetDelights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au
Produced By The Podcast Boss
In part two of this episode, we sit down with Michelle Redfern, an award-winning advisor, speaker and inclusion strategist, to explore what real inclusion leadership looks like in high-pressure, fast paced industries.
From her corporate beginnings to becoming a powerhouse advocate for gender equity and workplace inclusion, Michelle shares key moments that shaped her mission and how unconscious bias continues to show up in workplaces today.
Xanny and Michelle unpack the unique challenges faced by hospitality businesses, including the lack of diversity at leadership levels despite frontline representation, and the culture shifts needed to create truly equitable workplaces. Michelle also draws on her work with elite women in sport, revealing powerful parallels between kitchens, venues, and locker rooms.
Packed with real-world examples, practical advice and an empowering message, this episode is a must-listen for venue owners, operators, and anyone passionate about building a fairer, more inclusive future for the hospitality industry.
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @PriestleysGourmetDelights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au
Produced By The Podcast Boss
In the first part of this episode, we sit down with Michelle Redfern, an award-winning advisor, speaker and inclusion strategist, to explore what real inclusion leadership looks like in high-pressure, fast paced industries.
From her corporate beginnings to becoming a powerhouse advocate for gender equity and workplace inclusion, Michelle shares key moments that shaped her mission and how unconscious bias continues to show up in workplaces today.
Xanny and Michelle unpack the unique challenges faced by hospitality businesses, including the lack of diversity at leadership levels despite frontline representation, and the culture shifts needed to create truly equitable workplaces. Michelle also draws on her work with elite women in sport, revealing powerful parallels between kitchens, venues, and locker rooms.
Packed with real-world examples, practical advice and an empowering message, this episode is a must-listen for venue owners, operators, and anyone passionate about building a fairer, more inclusive future for the hospitality industry.
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @PriestleysGourmetDelights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au
Produced by The Podcast Boss
Welcome to Bite Size!
In today’s episode, Xanny interviews the woman described as Queensland’s answer to Carrie Bradshaw, Brooke Falvey!
Brooke shares how being part of the multi-generational hospitality family behind Falvey Hotels has influenced her career, and how she balances working for her family while building her impressive fashion career, with over 93k followers on Instagram. She offers a unique perspective of integrating the family business into her freelance lifestyle and how she draws inspiration from travel, food and fashion.
Xanny and Brooke also discuss how food and fashion are surprisingly connected and how together, they can create incredible dining experiences.
Thanks to Brooke for giving us her time and for bringing some insights into the workings of her family business, Falvey Hotels and how she has turned her love of fashion into a career.
About your host: Xanny Christophersen CEO at Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, senior business executive and change agent who is passionate about the foodservice industry.
You can connect with Xanny on LinkedIn here.
About your co-host: Brooke Falvey is a talented, award-winning fashion stylist and travel blogger, balancing a successful career in both media and hospitality. Hailing from a multi-generational Queensland family business, Brooke works with Falvey’s Hotels while also building her presence as a fashion stylist and Instagram personality, with over 93k followers.
You can connect with Brooke on Instagram, at @BrookeFalvey
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @PriestleysGourmetDelights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au
Produced By The Podcast Boss
This episode is an insight into the family dynamics of Priestley’s Gourmet Delights as Xanny interviews a special guest, her father and Priestley’s board member Tony! In this conversation, Xanny and Tony dive into how they ensure that business doesn’t affect their relationship and what the dynamics look like for a family owned and run company. Tony Christopherson has been an integral part of the Priestley’s Gourmet Delights story since its inception nearly 30 years ago. Throughout this episode he shares his personal experiences and insights on how they developed and grew Priestley’s into the business that it is today. He offers a unique perspective on how the family unit was able to navigate the ups and downs that every business encounters and what it took to evolve the once small family business into Australia’s leading dessert wholesaler. Xanny and Tony share their personal business insights and how integral external help was in growing the business to new heights. This episode is a must listen for all small business owners and family run businesses!
About your host: Xanny Christophersen CEO at Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, senior business executive and change agent who is passionate about the foodservice industry.
About your co-host: Tony Christophersen is a well-known figure in the dessert manufacturing industry, as he was an integral part of the Priestley’s Gourmet Delights story since its inception nearly 30 years ago. With his background in marketing, sales and administration, Tony along with a number of family members brought this business to life in 1996. Since then, the business has grown into a sizable business with a footprint of 7,500sqm at the state of the art site in Acacia Ridge. Tony now sits on the Priestley’s board where he has been able to watch his daughter grow and evolve this small family business into Australia’s leading dessert wholesaler.
Visit our website at https://www.priestleys-gourmet.com.au/
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
To listen to other episodes, view Bite Size’s playlist on your favourite podcast platform, or listen on our website https://www.priestleys-gourmet.com.au/insight
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @Priestley’s Gourmet Delights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Riley at radams@pgdelights.com.au
Produced By The Podcast Boss
In this episode, Jillian and Xanny delve into the best strategies on how to find confidence in presenting and why it's critical to elevate your communication style as a woman in business. Media powerhouse, Jillian Whiting (known for her roles on Seven’s Sunrise, Weekender and Nine News Queensland) reveals why learning how to communicate authentically and clearly is a skill that everyone should learn. She offers a unique insight into ‘imposter syndrome’ and why we need to lean into the anxious and uncomfortable feeling to build our confidence in these circumstances. Jillian and Xanny share their personal experiences of presenting to an audience, how to ‘fail fast’ and how to use this opportunity to best influence your audience. Whether you are an established CEO or just starting your venture into the business and hospitality industry, join us to discover why communicating with confidence is a critical life skill for everyone!
About your host: Xanny Christophersen CEO at Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, senior business executive and change agent who is passionate about the foodservice industry.
About your co-host: Jillian Whiting is no stranger to the spotlight, as you may have seen her on Nine News Queensland, Sunrise at Channel 7, or the travel show Weekender. With over 25 years of experience in the media as a newsreader, a journalist and now director of her consulting business, Media Potential, Jillian has all the best tips on how to be a confident speaker and an expert in communication. Her current role as director of Media Potential, has allowed for her to gain an in-depth understanding of how women can best advocate for themselves in an assertive and effective manner.
You can connect with Jillian on LinkedIn, at @Jillian Whiting
Visit our website at https://www.priestleys-gourmet.com.au/
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
To listen to other episodes, view Bite Size’s playlist on your favourite podcast platform, or, listen on our website https://www.priestleys-gourmet.com.au/insight
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @Priestley’s Gourmet Delights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Kat at kbramadat@pgdelights.com.au
Produced By The Podcast Boss
An inspiring story to share, this episode will take you on a delicious journey of entrepreneurship and creativity. Join us as we sit down with Founder and Board Member, Marilyn Jones as we explore the extraordinary rise of a founder who started by delivering cakes from the back of a station wagon and became the biggest dessert supplier in Australia. We’ll dive into how Priestley’s was born, the hurdles of starting a business, the art of taking risks, how to overcome the challenges of being a woman in business and the importance of being an innovator and changemaker. Whether you own a business or want to start a business, this is the episode for you. Get ready to meet our trailblazer!
About your host: Xanny Christophersen COO at Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, senior business executive and change agent who is passionate about the foodservice industry.
About your co-host: Marilyn Jones founded Priestley’s Gourmet Delights in 1996 and still remains an active member of the company to this day.
Visit our website at https://www.priestleys-gourmet.com.au/
Loved this episode and want to support our show? Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
To listen to other episodes, view Bite Size’s playlist on your favourite podcast platform, or, listen on our website https://www.priestleys-gourmet.com.au/insight
Want to get social? Find and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @Priestley’s Gourmet Delights
To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance or sponsorship opportunities on Bite Size email our Brand Coordinator, Kat at kbramadat@pgdelights.com.au
Produced By The Podcast Boss
In the fast-paced and dynamic world of the foodservice industry, teamwork is the secret ingredient that can make or break a restaurant's success. In this episode of Bite Size, we delve into the art of team building and explore its crucial role in the foodservice industry.
Join us as our host Xanny Christophersen sits down with industry expert, and renowned Executive Chef, Gary Johnson, who has mastered the art of fostering strong and cohesive teams.
This episode uncovers the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of managing people and how to foster the best team culture in the fast-paced foodservice industry.
We dive into Gary's recipe for success, "people+product+passion=profit" and reveal the common mistakes managers make when team building.
If you manage people, this episode is a must-listen!
About your host: Xanny Christophersen COO at Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, senior business executive and change agent who is passionate about the foodservice industry.
About your co-host: Executive Chef, Gary Johnson, is an internationally award-winning chef with over 40 years’ experience and leadership across a variety of venues. He is currently the Group Executive Chef of ALH Hotels, and is responsible for the culinary direction within the group including conceptual development; hotel projects, menu management; Executive and Head chef development, brand standards, food strategy and innovation. The ALH Group has over 350+ hotels with 1100+ chefs generating $500m+ in food sales annually.
Please contact us if you:
- Want to come on board as a show sponsor
- Are interested in joining the show as a co-host
- Have any feedback or suggestions on how to make this show better
Produced By The Podcast Boss
Running a cafe business is an amazing experience, though it doesn't come without its challenges. Most business owners are incredibly time-poor, juggling many aspects of the business, from cash flow to social media to ordering stock and the list goes on. In this episode, we will talk to Liam McLaughlin and provide some tangible and practical tips for you to consider.
Liam is an experienced Executive Chef and senior partner at Global Hospitality Group. Liam's specialty as a consultant chef with a demonstrated history of working with the hospitality industry to achieve effective and profitable outcomes. He is skilled in new Menu / Product development, Catering, Food & Beverage, Front of House, Hospitality Management, HACCP Controls and Team Management. He is well-regarded within the Australasia Foodservice Industry. He has been at the core of industry-leading events and progress for over ten years, as well as 20 years in hospitality.