AI, automation and hospitality
Why an industry that runs on labour will change most, and why each business has to innovate around its own market.
Speaker · Small business commentator · Hospitality consultant
A life in hospitality.
A voice for small business.
More than 40 years in kitchens and running my own businesses. I speak about small business, hospitality and the changes AI and automation will bring.
As seen on Sunrise · Sky News · ABC News · News24
Meet David
A chef's experience.
A business owner's perspective.
David Lee is a Sydney-based hospitality consultant, chef and small business commentator.
I run Sydney Private Chef and Bowral Private Chef. That experience informs how I cook, how I approach a business and the advice I share.
About DavidSpeaking
Talks for conferences, industry events and business groups.
Chefs are working economists
Changing demand, tight supply, short-staffed teams and fixed budgets: what a kitchen teaches about productivity.
Pricing for today's costs
Why the old 30% food-cost rule can't keep up, and how to cost from the invoices you actually pay.
On air & in print
Media & commentary
Sunrise / 7NEWS
Sunrise: card payment costs and small business
I joined the conversation on Sunrise about payment processing costs, supplier prices and the pressure on small business.
Read Sunrise: card payment costs and small business
Credlin / News24
Credlin: the pressures facing small business
I joined Credlin to discuss rising costs, cash flow and the response to my small business videos.
Read Credlin: the pressures facing small business
ABC News
ABC News: evening bulletin, 8 October 2026
I appeared on ABC News in the evening bulletin on 8 October 2026.
Read ABC News: evening bulletin, 8 October 2026Consulting
Practical support for your hospitality business.
Menu planning
Menu writing and implementation, with attention to your customers, kitchen and food costs.
Kitchen operations
A practical look at food costing, rostering and the way your kitchen runs.
Kitchen team training
Staff development and training grounded in the realities of service.
Work with David