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Chris Tate

Operations Manager at Publo & Rusty’s
Chris’s journey spans hatted and Michelin-starred kitchens, with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He stumbled into specialty coffee after helping a friend who'd just opened Pablo & Rusty’s first cafe, later leading teams through five more launches. Today, he co-owns P&R’s Sydney CBD flagship and oversees Operations across the brand. A former Australian Barista Championship judge, Chris blends technical coffee expertise with culinary skill and a deep commitment to service. A passionate B Corp operator and sustainability advocate, he champions hospitality as a human-centred craft that creates connection and regularly shares insights across industry media.
4:30pm - 5:15pm

Friday 27th March 2026 Day 2

Has the Art of Customer Service Disappeared?

Australia's food and coffee standards are high, but are we living up to expectations when it comes to hospitality standards? Let's talk about customer service, how it's evolved and whether it really matters to a café's bottom line.