Nathan Toleman

Nathan is the founder and Creative Director of The Mulberry Group, an innovative hospitality group known for creating some of the most award-winning cafes in the world’s most competitive café market, Melbourne. The Group prides itself on its ability to build spectacular spaces that foster genuine connections – with food, people and sustainability at the core of everything they do. Their mission is to create experiences that can support communities through positive social and environmental impact.

After graduating from high school, Nathan studied hospitality management at William Angliss. Before opening his first café in 2003, Nathan had run hotels and managed restaurants where he developed a vast body of knowledge and expertise in all facets of the hospitality industry.

He also spent six years teaching English in Japan, as well as working as an architectural design consultant for a shop fitting company. Now his daily professional life sees his love of design and hospitality combined in a hands-on approach to the set-up of his venues, which now include Hazel, Dessous, Liminal, La Cantina, Heide Kitchen, Lilac Wine and Square One Coffee Roasters. He is also incredibly proud of launching the Common Ground Project – a community farm, social enterprise, and food hub located in Freshwater Creek. The Mulberry Group is committed to contributing 10% of all profits generated from its venues to the farm and its programs.