Head chef quits after Comiskey Group takes over iconic Imperial Hotel at Eumundi

A kitchen of chefs has walked out on an iconic Sunshine Coast pub after it was taken over by the team behind the Sandstone Point Hotel – with plans to upgrade the menu and renovate.

The Imperial Hotel, Eumundi is recruiting a new head chef after a kitchen staff exodus.

Kitchen staff have walked out at an iconic Sunshine Coast pub following a change of ownership to the team behind Sandstone Point Hotel.

The head chef of the iconic Imperial Hotel at Eumundi would finish up at the end of the year following a change of ownership after the Comiskey Group, behind the Sandstone Point Hotel, bought the 112-year-old landmark pub.

It is understood other kitchen staff have already left.

The Comiskey Group purchased the Imperial Hotel at Eumundi in an estimated $20m sale including the on-site distillery, bottle shop drive-through and 15-room boutique accommodation.

It was the group’s second hotel on the Sunshine Coast within a year following the opening of The Doonan in March and it is understood that it brings the developer’s total investment in the region to $150m.

An aerial shot of the Imperial Hotel at Eumundi. Picture: Supplied

The award-winning developers previously unveiled bold plans for the hotel which included new restaurants, a gaming room, as well as renovating existing areas within the establishment.

Group director Rob Comiskey said he was excited about the purchase and upcoming renovations.

“Being able to own such an iconic hotel and brewery in such a special community was an unmissable opportunity,” Mr Comiskey said.

“We love the history of the hotel, so we’re not looking to modernise it, but we’re looking to obviously renovate it.

“The Eumundi Brewery brand is a local treasure, well-known across the state.”

Comiskey Group Directors Rob, Paul, and David Comiskey. Picture: Supplied

He said there were plans for major renovations across the next 18 months.

“We’re putting millions of dollars into it, the Sunshine Coast and the Eumundi community,” he said.

He confirmed some kitchen staff had left, but they have recruited a new chef with more than 15 years’ experience working on the Sunshine Coast.

“There’s an interim menu currently but we’re going to have a brand new menu at the end of the month with more locally sourced products,” Mr Comiskey said.

“We’ve been trying to improve the menu and product as best we can and the previous chefs don’t want that.

“Some people don’t like change and that’s fine we wish them all the best.”

M180407 – Eumundi football team in front of the Imperial Hotel, Eumundi, 1919.

Mr Comiskey said there were plans for an Asian fusion restaurant upstairs and a traditional hotel restaurant down stairs. They were also looking at adding a barbecue and pool area in the accommodation precinct.

It is understood the head chef will continue working at the Imperial Hotel until the end of the year, as per their contract.

Exterior of the Imperial Hotel at Eumundi in Queensland in 2004.

According to an online advertisement which went live mid-December, the hotel is on the hunt for a new head chef.

“The Imperial Hotel Eumundi is expanding our team and is looking for an experienced Head Chef to assist in the operation of our kitchen,” the job description read.

“Applicants must have a minimum of two years in their current role, inclusive of one to two years working in a high volume diverse range of restaurant and catering options.”

Locals have left some negative reviews recently in response to some of the changes, in particular to the weeknight specials.

However, Mr Comiskey said they had kept the specials.

“We changed the $18 steak special to a $22 one but we’ve also doubled the size of the steak,” he said.

“It’s all about improving the product.”

Originally published as Head chef quits after Comiskey Group takes over iconic Imperial Hotel at Eumundi