Mamma Rosa shows the world just how easy The Taste of Tasmania’s cashless system is to use

She’s a cook, she’s a story teller, she’s a singer and she’s a comedian, but just as
importantly Mamma Rosa is happy to show the world just how simple the new
cashless system will be for this year’s The Taste of Tasmania.

Performer Mamma Rosa, who by day is Rose Kokkoris and operates the popular
Patanella cafe in North Hobart, uses the Commonwealth Bank’s EFTPOS tablet,
‘Albert’, and was keen to show everybody just how easy the system is to use.

This year, as part of a one year trial, The Taste of Tasmania will be completely
cashless, with festival goers using debit or credit cards, as the City of Hobart and
stallholders work together to ensure The Taste continues to be free to enter over
seven days.

Event spokesperson Alderman Damon Thomas said following consultations and
research with stallholders, the City of Hobart introduced Albert secure EFTPOS
tablets for all transactions at The Taste.

“Purchasing food at The Taste of Tasmania will be just like an EFTPOS transaction
in a shop or restaurant, there will be no minimum amount to buy and patrons can
swipe, tap or insert their card,” Ald Thomas said.

The City of Hobart has developed a community information campaign that will inform
the public that the event is cashless and that will explain how simple the ‘Albert’
EFTPOS touch-screen tablet is to use.

“By using Albert, we’re implementing a model that will keep The Taste of Tasmania
free to enter.

“In return, a percentage of each stallholder’s turnover will enable us to invest further
into The Taste this year including more entertainment designed to keep the event
experience fresh and interesting.”

Ald Thomas said the fee structure will enable the council to work towards making
The Taste of Tasmania cost neutral and was based on extensive consultation with
stallholders, who made it clear they did not want The Taste of Tasmania to become
a ticketed event.

“It was a group of stallholders who proposed Albert to us and we’ve worked hard to
ensure The Taste remains free to enter, encouraging visitors to return often, while
making it more affordable for ratepayers and delivering the best results for patrons, stallholders and ratepayers.”
Alderman Damon Thomas