What a year!
3 min read
What a Year!
What a year!
I can’t quite believe I’m writing my final Mangan Digest entry for the year… seriously, where have the last 12 months gone?!?
After almost four years of weirdness in the world, it really feels like the pace of life has returned to what it was like pre-COVID. Like many small business owners, I just wish business itself was as busy as before!! We’re certainly getting there though, and, despite all the challenges associated with high interest rates and the seemingly ever-increasing cost of living, I can’t tell you how proud I am of how my team has rallied this year working harder than ever to keep our venues pumping and bringing smiles to our customers' faces. It also doesn’t go unnoticed how supportive our guests and customers have been throughout the year - so, from me, a huge thank you!
2023 started with enormous promise for all of us in the hospitality and tourism industry. I remember being on one the amazing P&O cruise ships ‘Pacific Adventure’ in early February to launch the first of our refreshed Luke’s Bar & Grill restaurants onboard the fleet. It was a bit of a pinch me moment to be back cruising properly after so long! I’m thrilled to say we’ve now rolled out Luke’s Bar & Grill on ‘Pacific Encounter’ too - and the team at P&O continue to work so brilliantly with my guys back on terra firma to bring truly high-end dining to the high seas. I know I’ve said it before, but if you haven’t had a cruising holiday yet (or if you’re due another one), then click here to find out what you’ve been missing!
Another pinch me moment was definitely pulling back into Circular Quay aboard ‘Pacific Adventure’ and looking up at the South-East Pylon of the Harbour Bridge and realising I also have a restaurant up there now! We launched Luke’s Table at the Pylon Lookout with the team at BridgeClimb late last year and I couldn’t be more thrilled to say I now have a piece of Sydney’s most iconic landmark to call my own… well, at least for a few hours on some very special nights of the year! Throughout the past 12 months, we’ve welcomed around a thousand people up to the Pylon for an exclusive dinner at Luke’s Table and, I reckon, the highlight of the year was definitely having guests up there during VIVID. You’d be hard pressed finding a more special place to take in the lights. We’ve just launched a few new dates at Luke’s Table over Summer, right the way through to February next year - so if you haven’t joined us for dinner yet, click here to find out more.
It’s been a huge year at Luke’s Kitchen too - our first full year of trade in our home at Kimpton Margot Sydney - after opening on Valentine’s Day 2022. The team and I still get a thrill welcoming guests to one of our new venues for the very first time - and this year literally thousands of you have joined us for lunch, dinner or one of our signature Saturday brunches at Luke’s Kitchen. I’ve also loved hosting big corporate, industry and charity events in our really cool space there. I reckon the art deco building we’re in at The Kimpton is up there with the most beautiful buildings in Sydney! Just last month we also opened our new rooftop restaurant, bar and function space called Harper Rooftop. It’s the perfect place to spend a summer’s day - with a cocktail or ice cold glass of rose in hand. Oh, and did I mention, it also has a pool?! Hope to see you up there over Summer.
Speaking of new venues, it was very exciting earlier this year to open a restaurant back in Potts Point… just down the road from where I had my very first restaurant Salt all those years ago. Our French-Japanese restaurant/bar Luc-San is going gangbusters and the team there - headed up by Chef Sammy - have truly done an extraordinary job in such a short time putting that place on the map. If you haven’t joined us for a meal or drink yet, you’ll find us just behind the Coca-Cola sign in Pennys Lane.
We’re also busy putting the final finishes on our new Luke’s Bistro & Bar in Terminal 3 at Sydney Domestic Airport. It’ll be the perfect place to grab a bite or a beer before getting on your flight. Whether you have one minute or one hour, we'll have plenty of options. So, if you’re flying Qantas domestically in or out of Sydney sometime soon, keep an eye out for us and pop in. We’re opening December 15th.
Other huge highlights of the year include celebrating our 18th birthday at glass brasserie with a big black tie birthday bash. That was certainly a night to remember - thanks to all of you who got dressed up and joined us! It was also fabulous to return to my hometown of Melbourne during Spring Racing Week to head up the culinary team for Lexus. Lexus helped me start our Appetite For Excellence Awards almost 20 years ago and their incredible support helped make a difference to the careers of many amazing young chefs, waiters and restaurateurs in our industry. So it was fitting then that the man alongside me executing everything in the Lexus pavilion kitchen for Cup Week was my own amazing young group chef Matt Morgan. I have to say, what Matt and I created was a dining experience like no other and one I’m incredibly proud of.
A special shout out as well to Sally McCray and her brilliant team from Mater Qld that I’ve had the pleasure of working with again this year. Our mission has always been making hospital great and making a real difference for patients during their stay in hospital. I was thrilled when the Mater team picked up two awards at the Hospitality in Healthcare Qld/NSW Awards earlier the year. Fantastic recognition of fantastic work… now, let’s see other hospitals follow the lead!
Finally, I’d just like to thank you again for your continued support throughout the year, it truly means the world. The team and I absolutely love seeing and serving you at our venues each and every time you come in.
However you’re spending the summer, I hope you get some time to relax, unwind and enjoy the company of family and friends. From me and mine to you and yours - have a safe and Merry Christmas!
Luke