Scores of workers flown in to ease Melbourne’s hospitality staff crisis

After a whirlwind global tour, a major restaurant group has hired scores of international recruits to tackle Melbourne’s hospitality worker shortage.

A major restaurant group has gone on a global recruitment drive to help fix Melbourne’s hospitality staff shortage crisis.

Hunter St Hospitality and Pacific Concepts — formerly Rockpool Dining Group — will invest $2m to $3m in international recruitment this year. So far, it has hired 125 workers from Europe, the Middle East and United States after a whirlwind tour earlier this year. Between 40 and 50 of those will start work as early as this month in Melbourne restaurants such as Rockpool Bar & Grill, Rosetta, Saké Restaurant and Bar, Spice Temple, Munich Brauhaus and El Camino Cantina. It expects to double this number by the end of the year.

Executives visited six countries in three weeks in its recruitment roadshow, with Dubai, the UK and Italy making up the bulk of new hires.

Between 40 to 50 of the first round recruits will start working as early as this month in Melbourne restaurants including Rockpool Bar & Grill. Picture: David Geraghty

Chief executive Thomas Pash said the group was looking to fill hospitality roles across the board that hadn’t attracted domestic applicants — including a restaurant manager for Rockpool Bar and Grill.

“The shortage is across the board — front of house, back of house, managers and entry-level roles,” Mr Pash said.

“Key positions we’re looking to fill in Melbourne are a restaurant manager for Rockpool Bar and Grill — which is key opportunity in a leading role of one of the city’s best known premium restaurants.”

Mr Pash said recruiters sold Australia’s laidback lifestyle to get candidates over the line.

“The work-life balance for hospitality professionals in Australia is much better than it is in most countries,” he said.

“With us they work a 40-hour week, back home it’s 70 to 80 hours a week.”

Rockpool will foot the bill for each employee’s visa, airfare and temporary accommodation costs up to $20,000, in addition to their salary. Picture: Ian Currie

About 100 jobs will be filled from the Middle East and Europe, and 25 expected to join from North America after Rockpool visited New York, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin and Houston.

Rockpool will foot the bill for each employee’s visa, airfare and temporary accommodation costs up to $20,000, in addition to their salary, as well as ongoing support after they touch down in Australia.

To upskill new staff, Rockpool has also formed a training academy to hone their food and beverage knowledge and service skills.

Working holiday visa holders will also be targeted in the recruitment drive.

Another round of recruitment is expected in the second half of the year, with campaigns already under away in Toronto, Hong Kong and London.

Need a job? These positions are up for grabs

• Food & Beverage Supervisor at Saké Hamer Hall

• Bartenders and Mixologists at Rosetta

• Chefs and Cooks at Munich Brauhaus

• Restaurant Manager and Assistant Restaurant Manager at El Camino Cantina in Fitzroy

• Waiters and runners across the board

Originally published as Scores of workers flown in to ease Melbourne’s hospitality staff crisis