Accor, which is Australia’s largest hotel operator, has pulled in some big names for its new culinary endeavour as it looks to maximise the potential of its food and beverage offerings across the whole Pacific region.
The hotel group is collaborating with Stefano Catino and Vince Lombardo from Maybe Group – the business behind Maybe Sammy, which is consistently ranked amongst the world’s best bars. This will be the first time Maybe Group has undertaken a partnership of this scale.
Culture agency Example is also helping out, bringing brand development and F&B experience design chops into the picture – the team recently worked with the InterContinental Sydney to put a cocktail experience inside an elevator.
“We love the way culinary experiences bring people together, and with Table For we’re taking that to an entirely new level,” said Accor’s COO in the Pacific, Adrian Williams.
“This initiative unites the finest visionaries in food and beverage – from our in-house teams to collaborators like Stefano Catino and Vince Lombardo and Example – to create restaurants and bars that are bold, culturally inspired and operationally sharp.
“We are redefining what it means to dine in a hotel, and treating our restaurants and bars as standalone heroes that locals and travellers actively seek out.
“This is about celebrating creativity, elevating our guest experience and delivering real value for our partners.
“Through Table For, we’re reimagining existing venues, developing entirely new concepts and delivering experiences that guests and locals will seek out, enjoy and remember.”
Table For is being led by Ben Creek who joined Accor in 2023 to helm the F&B development of the new venues yielded by the $70 million redevelopment of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Originally a chef, Creek has worked with the likes of The Fresh Collective, The Shard in London, TFE Hotels, Rockpool Dining Group, Merivale and Compass Group, demonstrating a huge variety of culinary experience.
“After a tremendous period of momentum across our F&B portfolio, we’re excited to move into this next phase with even greater focus, creative ambition and long-term investment,” said Creek.
“Table For gives us the platform to launch bold new concepts, reimagine existing venues and stay ahead of the evolving tastes of guests and locals alike.
“Importantly, it not only sharpens how we operate and deliver, but also celebrates the power of collaboration in bringing great ideas to life.”
According to Accor, Table For will bring together culinary, operational, design and guest experience expertise.
The first Table For venue will be Flaminia at Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, opening over summer, with more F&B projects in Sydney in development.
Table For will also work with owners across the group’s entire portfolio on F&B concepts, rather than solely focussing on the properties that Accor directly manages.
In time, the new F&B group’s remit will also extend to culinary experiences within the many event spaces within Accor hotels in the Pacific region.
