What was the highlight of 2023 for you?
At the Resort we have recently opened up a new venue called the Lagoon Beach Club following a $2.5m renovation. It’s an outdoor venue perched on the edge of our one-acre beach lagoon offering chilled seafood, share plates, gourmet pizzas and tropical destination inspired cocktails. It’s a real celebration of the Queensland summer! Designing the kitchen, researching the menu and bringing it all to life has been rewarding.

If you could have done something differently last year, what would it be and why?
Given how popular the pizzas have been, I would have liked to have purchased a bigger pizza oven for the venue. It’s on the wish list for 2024!

Who is someone to watch for in 2024?
Uday Huja, Director of Culinary at The Star Brisbane. I’ve been following Uday’s career for a while now and I’m looking forward to seeing his vision unfold as he embraces the Brisbane food scene.

What is your most vivid memory of the festive holidays?
Holidaying in Yamba, I have been going there for holidays my whole life. I remember being about 10 years old and catching very large surf waves with my two brothers in a very small fibreglass canoe. Lots of fun but wouldn’t dream of doing that now!

Do you have any unique or funny holiday traditions?
Getting as far away from the city as possible to relax and leave it all behind.

What’s your New Year’s resolution for 2024?
I’d really like to spend more time with family next year, that, and dining out at more restaurants I haven’t yet experienced – Montrachet & Agnes in particular come to mind.

If you could have anyone from any time period attend your Christmas lunch, who would you choose?
I would to love to talk travel and world food with Rick Stein. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Padstow in the UK where he has his hospitality empire. At the time he had a cooking school, fish mongers, bakery, bed & breakfast and a couple of restaurants. I have eaten in a few of his restaurants over the years and really enjoy his menus and his well-run establishments. 

Coastal holiday or city holiday?
Coastal

What are you looking forward to in 2024?
I have a trip planned in August which will involve a three week drive across the Simpson Desert with friends and family.

Do you have a summer book or podcast you can recommend?
Deep in the weeds is a food podcast hosted by Anthony Huckstep in conversation with chefs, food producers and hospitality members.