Familiar industry face steps into top sales role at Trippas White
Jenifer Dwyer Slee has become head of sales at Trippas White Group, starting the role this week.
The venue management and culinary experiences business operates more than 35 event spaces, restaurants and cafes around Australia – primarily in Sydney – including in some of the country’s most iconic locations.
Trippas White venues include the Yallamundi Rooms at the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo and various venues in Sydney Tower.
Dwyer Slee has impressive background across the business events space, including roles at Accor IHG, the National Convention Centre Canberra. She also ran her own events company for a time.
Before moving over to Trippas White, Dwyer Slee was commercial director of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, at the end of a six year run with Accor.
“I’m excited to be part of an Australian owned company that delivers incredible guest experiences in Australia’s iconic venues,” said Dwyer Slee of her new appointment.
“This opportunity allows me to build on my experience as well as supporting our incredibly talented team in head office and onsite.”
Meet The Star Brisbane’s culinary director
The Star Entertainment Group has continued to source from within as it fills its first key roles at The Star Brisbane at the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf. The Star Brisbane will open in the first stage of a phased opening for the city-shaping development in April 2024.
Uday Huja will be the first director of culinary, joining the Brisbane team from The Star Gold Coast, where he was executive chef. He has also held the role of culinary director at The Star Sydney.
Huja has cooked for former US President Barack Obama, worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant and in Las Vegas for MGM Resorts, in addition to starting his own restaurant in Texas.
At The Star Brisbane, he’ll lead the culinary team and oversee menus and culinary development alongside the debut of more than 50 food and beverage experiences at the resort. His remint includes The Star Brisbane Event Centre with its 1,440 pax ballroom, and the Queen’s Wharf Skydeck, which can also be used as an event venue.
Huja will also be involved in a major recruitment drive in the United Arab Emirates designed to bring Australian culinary experts home to work at Queen’s Wharf.
“I am so excited to take on this challenge and be part of a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute to Queensland’s culinary voice,” he said.
“While there are hundreds of jobs up for grabs for Queenslanders to be part of something special, we also have some specialised culinary positions to fill.
“The main aim of the Dubai trip is to entice some ex-pats to return and be part of the dynamic food and lifestyle scene that is already thriving in Brisbane and set to boom even more.
“We have approximately 400 incredibly talented food and beverage and events team members, who will transition from Treasury Brisbane to The Star Brisbane and arguably Australia’s best in-house culinary apprentice programs to develop and foster homegrown talent.”
In terms of what will be served up under Huja, it’s all looking very local.
“From the day we open our venue doors, we will be showcasing the best of Queensland from native ingredients to artisan suppliers, local produce to our people.”
