Most recruiters have read about hospitality. We've lived it.
Operator-led recruitment for senior leadership roles across Melbourne and Victoria.
I'm Rob Wilkes, founder of Taste Hospitality. For more than 20 years I worked inside the industry as a General Manager, Head Chef and venue operator across the UK and Australia. Recruiting wasn't something I came to after hospitality — it was something I did throughout it.
Getting a senior hire right isn't just about experience on paper. It's about understanding what a venue actually needs, how a candidate leads under pressure, and whether they're genuinely the right fit for the business.
That's what you're getting with Taste Hospitality. Not an agency. An operator who recruits.
OPERATOR EXPERIENCE
20+ years running venues across the UK and Australia. We know what good leadership looks like because we've depended on it ourselves.
JUDGEMENT OVER VOLUME
Shortlists are lean and deliberate. Every candidate is assessed against real operational standards, not just what looks good on paper.
LONG-TERM FIT
Every placement is built for retention. The right hire should stabilise your business for years, not send you searching again in six months.
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PEOPLE OVER PLACEMENTS
We recruit people who raise standards, support those around them, and contribute to the culture you're building. Skills matter, but behavior and leadership presence determine long-term success.
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FIT OVER FILL
A quick fix might cover a gap. The right hire shapes the whole team. We focus on alignment between leadership style, capability, and environment — that's what drives retention.
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CULTURE OVER COMMISSIONS
We take a long-term view. When the right person joins a venue, teams settle, standards lift, and guests feel the difference.
That outcome matters more than a fast placement.
Leadership appointments shape venues for years.