James is the CEO and owner of the multi-award winning Odd Culture Group, a Sydney based hospitality group of pubs, bars, restaurants and bottle shops, founded in 2017 with the aim of making a career in hospitality enjoyable and sustainable for those working in it.

James’ foray into hospitality happened by accident; while training to be an academic studying philosophy at the University of Sydney, he took a job picking up glasses at a pub in the city to pay rent. By the time he graduated, with an offer in hand for graduate studies at Oxford, he decided he liked kicking around kegs better, turning down the offer and instead taking a full-time job as a cellar manager. Going on to work as an operations manager and venue manager, in 2017 James took the plunge – and an eye-watering loan from the bank – to quit his hospitality job and buy the Group’s first pub. 

Regarded as a success story of COVID, Odd Culture Group now operate some of Sydney’s very best pubs, bars and restaurants, and a bottle shop, with more planned for 2022.

#49 - James Thorpe, CEO, Odd Culture Group

We present to you "Brewery Sessions" Within Brewery Sessions, we will have our favourite acts put together a mix which will showcase the amazing talent that comes through our Club!

Hope you enjoy!
www.facebook.com/cool.room
www.facebook.com/gloveroffical
www.coolroomnightclub.com.au

Glover - Stereosonic Launch Party Mini Mix

There are few people in the bar world who command the same respect across the globe, as Jason Crawley.  His genuine approach, impeccable knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit have seen his products and presence, touch most of the best bars in the world.

Jason has built multiple global brands including the Simple Syrup Company, The Drink Cabinet, The Imperial Shaker and his newest venture, Vodka And or &.

in our chat, we cover his journey to Australia, his views on the global industry and Mike Enright drops in to join the party.

Show notes:

Nick Drake - www.nickdrake.com/
Peking Duck - www.pekingduk.com/
www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Motorcycl…iry/dp/0060589469
thedukeofclarence.com/
www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_138…-hen-ale-355ml
www.cognac-expert.com/xo-cognac/hine-homage-cognac 
www.bacchanalwine.com/
australianbartender.com.au/2017/06/27/…tion-award/
www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/fi…20171106-gzfqk2

Michael Rodrigues: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rodrigues-154a3811/
Luke Butler: www.linkedin.com/in/mrlukebutler/
Time Out: www.timeout.com/sydney
Hastings: www.hastingspeople.com.au

#7 Jason Crawley - Global Drinks Legend (ft. Mikey Enright)

Connect - Paul Schulte, The Prince of York

Connect - Hamish Watts, Applejack Hospitality

Ted Helliar - The Social Beat.
https://thesocialbeat.com.au/

Connect - Ted Helliar, The Social Beat

The word "entrepreneur" for a pre-COVID generation might conjure the co-working tech startup image. Or the smile on the face of Zoom founders right now. It's less common to think about established businesses, or household names, as the frontier of entrepreneurship. But as many of us are currently realising, innovation is the name of the game. So the question becomes how does an organisation encourage or create the right environment for its teams to innovate? Particularly in the going out economy which has borne the brunt of physical distancing, and many think won't be the same, at least not for a while.

The latest guest on the Back of House podcast Kathy Savill is someone who is experiencing this crisis while looking for her next challenge. Our discussion takes us through her serial startups which include naming and branding Schoolies, through to her time at Merivale which kicked off during the GFC and led to initiatives like March into Merivale amongst others. A must listen for anyone looking for guidance on leading teams in our sector, while encouraging innovation.

#49 - James Thorpe, CEO, Odd Culture Group

Back of House

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