Queen’s Wharf: Inside staff restaurant as recruitment drive starts

The Star has revealed details of the largest restaurant inside its $3.6b Queen’s Wharf development, where every meal is free.

The Star Brisbane has revealed details of the largest restaurant inside its $3.6b Queen’s Wharf development, where every meal is free and you won’t find a single guest.

The employee dining room will cater for more than 500 staff at any one time and up to 3000 workers a day.

Every staff member will be entitled to one free meal in the dining room per shift as part of a range of employee benefits at Queen’s Wharf.

It comes as The Star launches a major recruitment drive to fill more than 1000 positions ahead of the resort’s opening later this year.

The roles are across food and beverage, hotel services, IT, property operations and security operations.

Daniel Finch, who commenced his new role as The Star Brisbane’s first CEO this week, said staff culture would be critical.

“I am proud and elated to be coming on board in what is one of the most significant times for The Star and a historic time for the city and the state as we prepare to open one of the largest tourism precincts in Australia,” he said.

“Together with the hardworking team already here and those who will participate in our recruitment process I am eager to roll my sleeves up and get on with ensuring we deliver world-class tourism and hospitality experiences for the many millions who will soon begin visiting, especially Brisbane locals.

“It will be my ambition to drive a fun yet high-performance staff culture as well as build trust with our community to ensure long term growth and success.”

Apprentice chef Ava Linaker-Bates, concierge Aidan Richardson and assistant venue manager Gina Kang. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The recruitment drive starts in March and the interview process will run from April to July.

The first stage of the $3.6bn integrated resort is due to open in August.

About 1400 staff from The Star’s Treasury Brisbane operations will also transition to Queen’s Wharf in the coming months.

The Star Brisbane chief operating officer (hospitality) Kelvin Dodt said it was a chance to be part of something special in the city.

“There is an undeniable buzz about our city in 2024,” he said.

“We are fast approaching the first stage of opening the most anticipated tourism development in Australia and it’s right herein Brisbane. People are excited to be part of history and we have already seen a huge amount of interest from Brisbane residents looking to join the team as well as from across Australia and even globally.

“We are looking forward to welcoming some talented and experienced chefs from Dubai who will join our culinary team soon as well as other expats, who want to return home.”

Mr Dodt said the new precinct would provide career pathways for Queenslanders across a range of fields.

Queen's Wharf venue manager Jess Dwyer in the staff restaurant. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The Star will showcase its employment opportunities at The Big Meet on March 15 and at the Brisbane Careers & Employment Expo in May.

A key part of the recruitment proposition will be the fact employees receive a free meal every shift, personal uniforms and development opportunities.

“There are so many pathways – it’s not a one-stop job shop,” Mr Dodt said.

“We have so many examples of team members that started in one position and followed their interests into a whole new career path.

“We have roles to fill in so many different fields, not just the expected hospitality positions like chefs, venue managers, hotel and housekeeping but more broadly across security, IT, events, property operations, gaming and corporate.

“We are proud to have provided thousands of jobs during construction and now thousands more for our first stage of opening and ongoing.

“We are here to help raise the bar and make Brisbane even more destinational through our events, our culinary experiences and entertainment offerings, especially as we look to the future and the 2032 Games and our team members are key to that.”

Jess Dwyer, 28, has worked across a range of roles with The Star, from human resources to project management and also hospitality.

She’s now been promoted to venue manager for one of The Star Brisbane restaurants at Queen’s Wharf.

“I started in food and beverage, moved up to supervisor and then when I needed a new challenge was offered a role in the learning and development team before a move into the projects team,” she said.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m so excited to be part of the team that will be there from day one of opening.

“Having so many options to provide challenges and progress my career with the business has meant I’m nearly eligible for long service and I’m not even 30.”

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