In an interview with SA’s Rooster Radio podcast, Baker explains why he moved on from his original enterprise, Coffee Branch, and talks about the various other venues he’s been involved with since that have helped transformed Adelaide’s eating and drinking landscape.

They include the West End small bars Clever Little Tailor – which he describes as “a little gem out of the whole lot” – and Pink Moon Saloon, the Pink Moon Deli, Whistle and Flute café and bar in Unley, and latest venture the Port Admiral Hotel at Port Adelaide.

He also reveals a new project he says he’s “not really allowed to talk about” yet:

“Adelaide City Council own a property behind the Adelaide City Council, behind the Town Hall, and it used to be called the Town Hall Café, and that went out to tender and we put ours in and we won that … we’ve signed an agreement of lease.

“We’re going to do a big-style Whistle and Flute there – big, fresh, zesty food, coffee, champagne, booze, the whole jazz right in the heart of the city – and really make it something that Adelaide City Council are going to be really proud of.”

Listen to the full interview here or via Soundcloud below:

Baker says he’s often approached by people wanting to invest in new projects, and gets a “gut feeling” for what will work and what won’t.

“People think hospitality is an easy road; there’s a bit of a myth about that… and that’s just so not the case. It’s probably one of the hardest industries in the world; it’s a constant working machine.”

Entrepreneur Josh Baker. Photo: Joshua Fanning / CityMag

Later in the podcast, Baker is joined by his mentor, John Savva from Leedwell Property, with the two talking about the impact of their relationship and the art of the deal.

Rooster Radio is featured regularly on InDaily.