New Appointments at Hobart Function Centre
19-Apr-2010 | The Hobart Function and Conference Centre has announced two new appointments completing a new-look team on Elizabeth Street Pier.
Steve McGuire joins the crew on Elizabeth Street Pier as Executive Sous Chef and Olivia Troon is coming onboard as Events Coordinator. Ginny Webb has stepped up to the position of Events Manager, award wining chef Will Godman is now into his second year as Executive Chef, and former Conference and Banqueting Manager, Niall Mitchell took on the role of General Manager six months ago.Stephen McGuire brings a wealth of experience to the HFCC kitchen having worked his way around Australia and the world at some internationally renowned establishments. Stints at several top restaurants in Kuwait were followed by time at The Athenaeum in London, and then The Grove in Hertfordshire. “The Grove was an fantastic experience” says Steve “I was working for Stephen Wheeler, who had been executive chef at Harrods and the new Wembley Stadium. The food was incredible and I learned some amazing things. I’m really looking forward now to working with Will and applying some of that knowledge to the food at HFCC”.
Olivia Troon has previously been employed in some of Tasmania’s premium properties such as Freycinet Lodge, The Country Club Launceston, and The Henry Jones. A former professional tennis player, she has represented Tasmania and competed individually at an international level, as well as coaching the Under 12s and Under 14s state teams. Her main responsibility at HFCC will be to focus on providing consistent and quality customer experiences. Olivia says she is really excited about her new role, and is looking forward to the challenge. “I’ve always wanted to work in an events-dedicated environment, and it seems to me that there’s a real buzz about this place right now.”
Ginny Webb is well known in the Hobart hospitality industry, having held management positions at venues such as Wrest Point and the Hotel Grand Chancellor, and she has earned a name for providing quality service second to none in the business. She has managed multiple venues at Wrest Point and coordinated offsite catering at locations such as the DEC and Hobart Town Hall. She has also been responsible for the smooth operation of high profile conferences such as APEC and MEA, and the widely acknowledged success of these events has enhanced her reputation. She is no stranger to the kitchen and for several years ran her own stall at Hobart’s Taste festival, delighting the crowds with her native Malaysian cooking. “Hobart’s a small place” says Ginny “and people remember things, so if you’re going to be remembered, you’d better make sure it’s for the right reasons”
Will Godman honed his talents in the kitchens of Hotel Grand Chancellor and Moorilla estate, before making his mark on the international scene at The Lodge at Tarraleah, where his food at Wildside restaurant earned the Lodge a place in Conde Naste Traveller’s Top 65 New Hotels in the World. Will says it is equally important to impress both the local market and interstate visitors. “The local market need to know there is a solid, dependable venue for their events where they can rely on great service and food,” says Will “while people visiting from other states have usually heard sensational things about the quality of the produce in Tasmania, so we desperately want to ensure they aren’t disappointed.”
Originally from Scotland , Niall Mitchell arrived in Melbourne on a holiday in 1998, and proceeded to spend the next ten years there running restaurants and hotels, before moving with his family to Tasmania to take up the position of General Manager of Tarraleah Estate. After a year in the Central Highlands wilderness, he is delighted to now be leading the team on the waterfront. “It’s an amazing venue” he says “The location is unique and the spaces are incredibly flexible. Now with Ginny, Will, Steve and Olivia all on board, I’m genuinely excited about where we go in terms of food and service.”
Another reason for Niall’s excitement is the refurbishment of the venue which is quietly underway. A new carpet has been laid, awnings have been installed along the side of the pier, the furniture is being upgraded and extensive repainting has begun. “There’s a real sense of progress at the moment” he says “It feels like we’re ready to take the venue to the next level”.
http://www.hfcc.com.au
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