Principle of Hospitality · 2026-04-02 · 60 min
In this episode, Chelsea Ford sits down with Elizabeth Hewson, Australian food writer, cookbook author, and founder of Saturday Night Pasta, to unpack how a personal ritual turned into a nationally stocked product brand. What began as a simple act of self-care, cooking pasta at the end of a long week, has evolved into a business now sitting in 400+ stores across Australia. Elizabeth shares how her “patchwork” career across restaurants, media and brand building has shaped a business grounded in comfort, quality and honesty. We explore the realities of scaling from kitchen to shelf, from launching with limited-edition drops to building out a seven-SKU range, and partnering with distributors like Cartel & Co to rapidly expand from 50 to 200 stockists in just six months. The conversation dives into what actually drives sell-through in retail, why brand and packaging matter, how margins and data access work with distributors, and the operational shift required to grow beyond a founder-led business. Elizabeth also reflects on the role of mentors, manufacturers and collaborators, including Archie Rose, and her commitment to Australian-made ingredients, transparency and taste.
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