Paul Schenk becomes general manager at Mooloolaba Fisheries

He’s rubbed shoulders with the likes of Metallica, Lady Gaga and classed Bob Hawke as a pal. Now a world-class chef and hotel manager has returned to Oz to take over an iconic Sunshine Coast business.

Paul Schenk (pictured left with celebrity Jamaican rapper Sean Paul, and right at Mooloolaba) has managed and cooked in five-star hotels across the world, but has now set his sights firmly on the Sunshine Coast as he heads up a local fisheries business. Pictures: Supplied.

A world-class chef and hotel manager, who has spent the last 22 years overseas cooking for and rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the world, has taken over as the new general manager of an iconic Sunshine Coast fishery.

Paul Schenk was born in Toowoomba and raised in Ipswich, but started his illustrious career on the Sunshine Coast when he began working as a chef at the Hyatt Coolum and quickly worked his way up the ranks in some of the world’s most glamorous hotels.

Paul Schenk. Photo: Supplied

But now, after mixing with celebrities and politicians, Mr Schenk is the general manager of Mooloolaba Fisheries – a family-owned business which also runs Fisheries on the Spit at Mooloolaba, the Noosa Junction Seafood Market and Point Cartwright Seafood Market.

Mr Schenk’s portfolio includes working in luxurious hotels in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, South Korea and Egypt in various chef and management roles – including during the 2011 revolution in Cairo.

One of the hotels he managed even hosted the G20 in 2010, he said.

Other notable achievements include two cook books and hosting the first English speaking TV show in Korea.

Paul Schenk and Jamaican celebrity rapper, Sean Paul. Photo: Supplied

He told the Sunshine Coast Daily he had cooked for and conversed with Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Metallica, The Black Eyed Peas, U2, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Julia Gillard and Barack Obama.

But his favourite encounter was with the late former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

“Bob Hawke came and stayed at my hotel in Seoul and I met him when he checked in, and then he says ‘right Paul … you come up at lunch time, I’m having lunch with 33 businessmen. Come up and say G’day’,” he said.

Paul Schenk meeting former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. She was the first, and to date, the only, woman to hold office. Photo: Supplied

“So I went up to the private dining room and I opened the door … I wanted to break in and tell them the food was coming and what the food was … and then Bob Hawke stood up and then the whole lot stood up … and then Bob stood up and introduced me.”

The two stayed in contact until Mr Hawke passed away in 2019, Mr Schenk said.

When the Covid pandemic hit, Mr Schenk struggled to get back to Australia, something which fuelled a decision to return to his home country indefinitely.

“(I thought) ‘this is too tumultuous, I need to go home and I need to go home permanently’,” he said.

Paul Schenk, General Manager of Mooloolaba Fisheries. Photo: Contributed

Mr Schenk eventually managed to return to Australia, and it was here an old friend from the Hyatt Coolum told him of the job opportunity managing Mooloolaba Fisheries.

In his new role, he launched the Mooloolaba Schnitty – a thinly-sliced piece of albacore tuna, caught in Mooloolaba, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried, just like the traditional pub staple.

“They call albacore tuna ‘chicken of the sea’ … so it looks like a schnitty, and honestly if you close your eyes, you would find it difficult to tell if that’s a fish or chicken,” he said.

Paul Schenk (middle back), who stands tall at 6 foot 3 inches, with world heavy weight kick boxers at his hotel in Seoul. Photo: Supplied

Mr Schenk said the popular menu option was available at the Point Cartwright seafood market and Fisheries on the Spit for $9.90 with a side of chips.

“Nowhere in Australia will you find a fish and chips of really food quality that’s local and anywhere near (that price),” he said.

He thanked Mooloolaba Fisheries owner Gary Heilmann for his trust and support in landing the role.

Above all, Mr Schenk said he was grateful to be back on the Sunshine Coast and closer to his family.

“I’m absolutely making the most I possibly can of it and I’m just loving it,” he said.