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Built on theBuilt on the Kitchen floorKitchen floor

1. 1994
   

   Born in Sydney

   Sydney, NSW

   Paul was born on 18 October into a hardworking Jordanian-Australian family. One grandfather managed construction projects across Jordan and Saudi Arabia; the other ran catering and kebab businesses. Paul grew up between the two, and his grandfather's saying stuck: "Your tongue is your sword. Use it wisely."

2. 2007
   

   In the Kitchen at 12

   Blue Mountains

   At 12, Paul was already working in kitchens. Weekends meant a 4:30am pickup and 12-hour shifts at the café his dad part-owned in the Blue Mountains, washing dishes and running the deli. By 13 he was on the coffee machine.

3. 2009
   

   First Company at 15

   Elev8 Entertainment

   Paul launched Elev8 Entertainment, a DJ and events agency set up under his dad's name. He turned his Facebook page into a booking channel, ran or subcontracted 70+ gigs a year and specialised in fundraising and charity events.

4. 2010
   

   Running the Pass at 16

   Aqua Cotta

   From 14, Paul worked Thursday to Sunday at Aqua Cotta, the family's Italian restaurant in Sydney: dishes, salads, desserts, then the floor. By 16 he was front-of-house manager, leading the team and controlling the pass. Aqua Cotta later opened two sites in China.

5. 2017
   

   Bachelor of Commerce

   Western Sydney University

   At 18, Paul sold Elev8 and joined Petra Equipment, the kitchen equipment business his dad grew out of a transport company, starting as a sales associate. He studied a Bachelor of Commerce in Hospitality Management at Western Sydney University alongside the job and graduated in 2017.

6. 2021
   

   Head of Projects

   Petra Group

   After rising to general manager of Petra Equipment and Petra Group Shop Fitting, where he built the fit-out division from scratch, Paul became Head of Projects. He led work for clients including IKEA, TikTok, Sheraton, Qantas, Woolworths, Lendlease, Westfield and Stockland.

7. 2023
   

   Founds Hospo Dojo

   FCSI-Certified

   Lockdowns left the industry dark, and Paul used the time to reset: a career mentor, FCSI certification and the start of an MBA at the University of Wollongong. In 2023 he went out on his own as a food service consultant, and in October he and his wife Jess launched Hospo Dojo.

8. 2026
   2026University of Wollongong

   MBA Graduate

   University of Wollongong

   Paul graduated with his MBA from the University of Wollongong, completed alongside running Hospo Dojo and a full client load.

9. NOW
   

   650+ Kitchens

   Worldwide

   650+ kitchens designed, 30+ operators mentored and $32M+ in profit recovered for clients in 2026. Clients range from Pullman Bread in Las Vegas and Broke Boy Pizza in Ireland to Made Meals in Canada, Café Del Mar and the Australian Defence Force.