Leading Adelaide restaurateur Emma Kardachi appointed to AEDA Board

Leading Adelaide restaurateur and marketing leader Emma Kardachi has been appointed to the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) Board for two and a half years.

In Short:

• Owner of popular city restaurants Osteria Oggi, Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room and others appointed to AEDA Board.
• She fills the spot left by Steve Maras, who will step into AEDA chair in January 2025.
• Her aim is to make an even more vibrant Adelaide for workers and visitors alike.

The AEDA selection panel recommended Ms Kardachi be appointed to the board following an expressions of interest process that attracted more than 90 applications. The City of Adelaide endorsed the appointment at its 26 November 2024 meeting.

Ms Kardachi is a key driver of popular Adelaide restaurants including Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room, Osteria Oggi, Shōbōsho, Latteria Bar, Bread & Bone Wood Grill and Maybe Mae, all in the CBD, as well as ShoSho and Nido Pasta Bar in Hyde Park, and Henley House in Henley Beach.

Ms Kardachi fills the vacancy left by deputy chair Steve Maras who will step into the role of AEDA chair that Nikki Govan currently holds, in January 2025. The Board will vote on a new deputy chair in the new year.

Imminent AEDA chair Mr Maras says Ms Kardachi brings a wealth of experience to the AEDA board, particularly in marketing the CBD as a great place to live, work, study and play.

“We are thrilled to welcome Emma to the AEDA Board—her expertise will be instrumental in helping the Agency navigate challenges and seize opportunities to continue making the CBD an exciting place,” Mr Maras says.

"The Board is enthusiastic about harnessing Emma's expertise in crafting communications strategies, brand building, stakeholder engagement and hospitality operations to drive our initiatives forward.”

The restauranter brings extensive experience as a strategic marketing professional and business leader in both the public and private sectors, with a specialisation in brand building.

At the 2024 Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards, Osteria Oggi and Shōbōsho were honoured as some of the state’s best. Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room and Shōbōsho are included in southaustralia.com’s best restaurant guides in Adelaide and continue to remain strong drawcards to the city.

Ms Kardachi says she looks forward to using her skills in both the hospitality and marketing sector to create a thriving Adelaide worth visiting.

“The CBD has possibilities that are limitless with its vibrant culture, paired with AEDA’s forward-thinking board which is the perfect foundation for building an even stronger future,” Ms Kardachi says.

“Adelaide has a unique blend of creativity and innovation, making it the perfect destination for those looking to make their mark and build something extraordinary.

“That is what I have helped build our businesses on, and I look forward to using my experience in both hospitality and marketing in such a way that further boosts Adelaide’s economy.”