In Conversation With: Anne-Maree O’Brien on Creating Meaningful Hospitality Experiences

Posted by Bedrock on 21st January 2026

Our In Conversation With series features candid discussions with inspiring families, individuals, and leaders: exploring their journeys, values, and perspectives on wealth, success, purpose, and legacy.

In this edition, we speak with Anne‑Maree O’Brien, who’s journey began in her family’s first‑generation hospitality business, O’Brien Group Australia, where she was immersed from an early age as a small seaside kiosk grew into one of the largest hospitality groups across Australia and New Zealand. Rooted in this foundation, she later brought together her love of hospitality and storytelling to create The Scene Series: a global platform spotlighting the world’s leading chefs, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs as they share their stories and insights behind their iconic restaurants.

She reflects on the dynamics that underpin successful family enterprises: from early lessons in hard work and resilience, the value of open communication, empowering the next generation to grow into well‑rounded leaders, and navigating the balance between following one’s own path while strengthening the family business.

A Life in Hospitality and Beyond

Q: Welcome, Anne-Maree! Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your background and what you do now?

I’ve had what I often call a “marriage of careers.” I began in journalism before moving into politics, where I worked for Julie Bishop, the former Foreign Minister of Australia, during her tenure as the Education Minister. Alongside that, I’ve always been deeply involved in our family hospitality, catering, and venues business, O’Brien Group Australia, starting from the moment it launched when I was just six years old. It’s a first-generation business founded by my parents, although hospitality runs through our family for generations. Over the years, I’ve done every job imaginable, from dishwashing and waitressing to stock control, drafting contracts and tenders, and managing stadiums of 60,000 people.

Today, I continue to work with the family business while also founding The Scene Series, a global media platform showcasing the stories of world-class chefs and restaurateurs. We feature iconic names such as Ruth Rogers at The River Café, John Williams at The Ritz, and Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir, offering behind-the-scenes insights into what truly sets these iconic restaurants apart.

Every experience has shaped how I work and brought a fresh perspective that I carry into both the family business and The Scene. My time in politics taught me a great deal about leadership, teamwork, and the kind of team I ultimately want to build. But at the heart of it all, I’ve always been guided by creating meaningful experiences and connecting with people.

“At the heart of it all, I’ve always been guided by creating meaningful experiences and connecting with people.”

Carrying On the Family Legacy

Q: What was the original spark that led your family into hospitality?

We’ve always been a hospitality family. For three or four generations, each chapter has started fresh, with every generation making its own mark in its own way.

My parents founded our business, but the roots stretch back to my great‑grandfather, who sold snowballs and lamingtons to people gathered at the local airport to watch the first aeroplanes land in Australia. That instinct to recognise a moment and create an experience for people has always been part of our family story.

Ultimately, everyone in our family is the kind of person who genuinely enjoys speaking with people, whether it’s the taxi driver or the person at the next table. That curiosity and connection have always guided us, which is why we’ve gravitated toward an industry centred on care and human experience. And if you want generational longevity, you need people who deeply care about the experience they’re creating. That has been the heart of our family’s purpose from the very beginning across all our ventures.

From a Beach Kiosk to International Venues

Q: In one generation, your family business has grown into one of the largest hospitality companies in Australia and New Zealand. What do you think has been critical to that success?

At the heart of our success has always been a strong set of values: hard work, resilience, and respect for the people we work with. I grew up watching my parents navigate the realities of growing the business as it evolved from a beachside kiosk to catering for country racecourses, wedding venues, tourism cafés, and music festivals. I worked across all of those environments, and as a result, business was a constant, open conversation at our dinner table.

My parents shared the real challenges they faced, from staffing and management to securing contracts and driving growth, and those conversations became their own kind of education. That early transparency kept us engaged, agile, and confident in navigating different situations, and it’s a big part of why we’ve been able to grow and succeed as a family business.

A commitment to continuous learning and respect for the people you work with has always carried through generations. My parents believed nothing was off-limits, and from a young age we were encouraged to do every job in the business. That approach, passed down from my father, who grew up in his own father’s catering business doing every job, has shaped us into stronger leaders.

That hands-on experience gave us a deep understanding of the operation and the challenges our teams face. Because I’ve done those roles myself, I can lead with empathy, make better decisions, and address problems more effectively.

“My parents believed nothing was off-limits, and from a young age we were encouraged to do every job in the business. That hands-on experience gave us a deep understanding of the operation and the challenges our teams face.”

Having The Freedom to Forge Your Own Path

Q: One thing we often see is that many next-gen leaders struggle to balance family expectations with personal ambition. Have you faced that tension?

No, I haven’t experienced that tension. Individuality has always been encouraged in our family. While we all grew up working in the business and gained a strong foundation, my parents believed that as long as we were working and learning, that was what mattered.

My family encouraged us to pursue what we genuinely enjoy, because passion drives success. The Scene Series wasn’t a strategic decision; it emerged naturally from following what I love. However, it turns out that it complements our family business by offering access to world-class chefs and industry leaders which is an incredible asset. My family couldn’t be more supportive; they love hearing the stories of people in the industry we admire and the community it’s building.

“My family encouraged us to pursue what we genuinely enjoy, because passion drives success. The Scene Series wasn’t a strategic decision; it emerged naturally from following what I love.”

The Power of Passion-Driven Choices

Q: That’s a great segue to The Scene Series; can you tell us more about the platform and what you hope to achieve through it?

The Scene Series was born from the intersection of my experiences in journalism, politics, and hospitality. I’ve always loved meeting interesting people and telling their stories, and this felt like a natural evolution: bringing creativity, people, and hospitality together.

Every restaurant opening feels like a performance. I wanted to capture that magic by going behind the scenes, beyond the food, to explore what’s in the minds of the people creating these experiences. What did they want guests to feel? What story are they telling? It’s like a masterclass from the world’s best, giving people a deeper, more meaningful connection to the places they visit.

The platform has already grown so much in the last year. Looking ahead, we hope the next chapter brings people together through in-person experiences, such as live events that unite top chefs and leading restaurateurs. Over time, we’ll also expand our storytelling globally, with many more exciting international features planned for the coming year.

Redefining How Success Is Measured

Q: How do you define success, and has that definition evolved over time?

I have always considered success to be correlated to the customer experience and the human connection. When I was running venues and stadiums with the family business, success was not only about operational milestones and driving growth, but also about the service we were providing to our customers. From early on, I knew success meant that every person that entered a venue of ours was met with an incredible experience.

Today with The Scene, my idea of success has been further clarified, with success being achieved by the impact we’re creating and the community and connection. There are so many people who watch our channel and if one aspiring hospitality leader feels inspired, or one guest walks into a restaurant with a deeper appreciation for the experience, that’s success to me. Hearing people say, “I never knew that, I want to go there now,” is incredibly powerful. The Scene Series bridges the gap between the guest, the restaurant, and the experience, creating connection; and that’s what matters most.

“If one aspiring hospitality leader feels inspired, or one guest walks into a restaurant with a deeper appreciation for the experience, that’s success to me.”

Designing Experiences That Make People Feel Something

Q: Today’s guests expect more than great food or service. What do you think defines an exceptional hospitality experience now?

Hospitality is ultimately about human connection. People gather in restaurants to share experiences, and that connection is irreplaceable. Food is deeply emotive, but it’s how guests are made to feel that defines the experience.

Exceptional hospitality is about warmth, treating guests as if they’re in your home. It’s the lighting, the music, the design, the way staff communicate, and how thoughtfully the experience has been considered. As a restaurateur or chef, it comes down to the briefings you give your team before service and what you notice when you walk through the restaurant on a packed Friday night. Where do you want your guests’ eyes to go? That’s where The Scene Series gets its name. Every restaurant is a carefully crafted theatre, designed to make people feel something.

“Every restaurant is a carefully crafted theatre, designed to make people feel something.”

What’s Next for the Hospitality Industry

Q: Finally, looking ahead, what major trends do you think will shape the future of hospitality?

Community and human connection will always remain at the heart of hospitality. What’s becoming increasingly important is authenticity and storytelling. Guests want to understand the narrative behind a place, why it exists and what it stands for.

People are more educated about food, design, and experiences than ever before, and they’re seeking immersive, meaningful moments rather than surface-level trends. The businesses that endure aren’t chasing hype or aesthetics for quick wins; they’re deeply committed to delivering an authentic experience. Those are the places that build loyalty, longevity, and genuine connection.

To watch the latest episode of The Scene Series with Ruth Rogers at London’s iconic River Café, click here:

Throughout our conversation with Anne-Maree, several themes stood out, many of which mirror what we see across thriving family enterprises: the power of early, open communication; creating space for the next generation to explore their own paths; and the long-term resilience that comes from anchoring decisions in shared purpose, values, and vision.

These are the elements that enable families to grow with clarity and confidence, and they continue to be central to how we support families in navigating their own journeys.

If you’d like to explore how Bedrock can support your family on these themes, we’d love to continue the conversation. You can reach us at info@bedrockgroup.com.