QT Auckland has announced a globally experienced food and beverage team to bring to life its highly anticipated wine and dine experiences, including signature restaurant Esther and rooftop bar Rooftop at QT. 

Joining QT Auckland General Manager, Doron Whaite and Creative Director of Food and Beverage, Sean Connolly, the four hospitality mavens lending their wealth of experience include Ruby Binning, Food and Beverage Manager for QT Auckland; Roberto Giampaolo, Bar Manager for Rooftop at QT and Esther; James Laird, Executive Chef for Esther; and Riccardo Del Noce, Restaurant Manager for Esther.

True to the QT philosophy, QT Auckland will feature a highly creative food and beverage experience, combining locally-sourced ingredients with design-led interiors and signature service across all outlets. Under Sean Connolly's creative direction, Esther will introduce the authentic taste of the Mediterranean's shores to Viaduct Harbour, mixing honest simplicity with a spritz of wonder. Perched on the sixth floor, Rooftop at QT combines an extensive cocktail menu and local wine list with a wanderlust-inspired tapas selection and panoramic views. 

QT Auckland Food and Beverage Manager, Ruby Binning, has had a love for all things hospitality since dining out with her parents as a child. Ruby's passion for the industry has taken her around the world to experience hospitality in Auckland, Melbourne and London, working in world-famous establishments like Melbourne's Chin Chin. Having recently moved back from Australia, Ruby is ecstatic to join QT Auckland, matching the knowledge she has gained overseas with a bright enthusiasm for the role.

Bar Manager Roberto Giampaolo is a passionate and creative beverage professional, who has brought to life the drinks programme for some of the most progressive restaurants in the world. With a successful track record of innovation and customer service excellence across Australia, London, Spain, Italy, France and Auckland, Roberto has been consistently sought after for his expertise establishing new venues across the globe – from 11-seat cocktail bars to Michelin 3-Star restaurants. He's excited to bring his love of creating delicious tipples to QT Auckland, setting Esther and The Rooftop at QT apart from anything else in New Zealand.

James Laird is thrilled to put on the Executive Chef hat at Esther. James' interest in food started at an early age, from days spent watching his dad in his butcher shop in Whakatane. He grew his passion for local produce around the North Island before the pull of the big city saw him move to Auckland. James is no stranger to working closely with Sean in previous roles, where he honed his love for simple food done well. At QT Auckland, their focus will be on bringing local, fresh produce to customers in a beautiful dining space.

Riccardo Del Noce, Esther's Restaurant Manager, is known for his wealth of global hospitality experience and welcoming presence, delighting guests with his personality and refined customer service. Born in a coastal town in Tuscany, Riccardo fell in love with food culture, leading him to manage restaurants in Italy, Spain, the United States and Australia, where he also trained as a Sommelier. Developing a strong love for the QT way after working at QT Sydney, Riccardo couldn't pass up the chance to become part of the QT Auckland family. With Esther's Mediterranean cuisine close to Riccardo's heart, he is excited to build his team and bring the QT flair and signature service into a new venue guests will call home.

QT Auckland will open at 4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue in November 2020 and will be the tenth QT Hotel in the group and QT's third New Zealand property, joining the hugely successful QT Wellington and QT Queenstown, who were recently named #2 and #3 respectively in the 2020 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards' list of top hotels in Australia and New Zealand.

QT Auckland is now accepting bookings from November. For more information and to make a booking, visit qtauckland.com.

-ENDS-          

ABOUT EVENT HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT

Event Hospitality & Entertainment Limited (EVENT) is a leading entertainment, hospitality and leisure company.  Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Sydney, EVENT is at the forefront of the experience economy and delivers millions of experiences annually.  

EVENT owns the largest cinema circuits in Australia, New Zealand and Germany under the brands Event Cinemas, Birch Carroll and Coyle, Cinestar, Greater Union and Moonlight Cinema.  EVENT also own and operate more than 60 hotels including Rydges Hotels and Resorts, QT Hotels and Resorts, Atura Hotels and Jucy Snooze.  In the leisure space, EVENT operate Australia's number one ski resort, Thredbo Alpine Resort and one of Australia's oldest theatres, the State Theatre.  The Company also owns a substantial property portfolio.

EVENT is committed to protecting and giving back to the communities in which it operates through a focus on sustainability, fundraising and diversity.  

EVENT listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and trades under the ASX code of EVT.

ABOUT QT HOTELS & RESORTS

QT Hotels & Resorts is one of Australia and New Zealand's most loved and dynamic hotel brands, the family of properties includes: QT Sydney, QT Melbourne, QT Gold Coast, QT Perth, QT Falls Creek, QT Canberra, QT Bondi, QT Wellington and QT Queenstown, with QT Auckland scheduled to open in 2020, followed by QT Parramatta, QT Newcastle and QT Adelaide in 2021.

www.qthotels.com