Rydges Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the key management appointments of Francesco Trucco as Executive Chef, Food and Beverage Manager, Isaac Zietek as Food and Beverage Manager and  Scott Levey to the role of Rooms Division Manager in advance of the new Rydges Fortitude Valley, opening in Brisbane on Tuesday, 9 February 2016.

These appointments were announced this week by Rydges Fortitude Valley General Manager Matthew Hurley who welcomed the management trio to the helm of their respective departments while acknowledging their commitment and vast hospitality experience.

Francesco Trucco, Executive Chef

With more than 20 years of experience at top restaurants and hotels in Australia and Europe – including four years spent with Rydges Melbourne – Mr Trucco joins the opening team with a vision to set a new benchmark for outstanding dining in the progressive riverside city.

Mr Trucco takes the helm at Rydges Fortitude Valley's signature Six Acres Restaurant, which will offer guests an exciting farm-to-the-table experience, boasting an exquisite seasonal menu prepared from the finest ingredients.

Having carved out a reputation as one of the country's top Italian chefs, Mr Trucco brings to his new role an appreciation of fresh, local produce instilled during his formative years in the coastal town of Imperia in Northern Italy's Liguria district.

Isaac Zietek, Food and Beverage Manager

An experienced and passionate hospitality professional, Mr Zietek brings a wealth of insight into the local market to his role with the opening team of Rydges' newest hotel, located within the historically rich Brisbane Showgrounds precinct.

Mr Zietek will oversee operations at the hotel's exciting dining and entertainment offerings, including the signature Six Acres Restaurant and Paddock Bar.

Six Acres Restaurant will feature a seasonal menu of fresh, locally sourced produce, providing guests with an innovative farm-to-table experience, while Paddock Bar boasts a charming, country-style atmosphere with panoramic views to the RNA showgrounds and the Royal International Exhibition Centre (RICC).

Mr Zietek joins Rydges Fortitude Valley following three years as Director and Co-owner of popular Werribee venue, The Park Hotel, where he implemented a refurbishment which saw the hotel win a slew of awards including New and Emerging Business 2013, Best Beer List Australia 2013, and Business and Tourism Award 2014.

Scott Levey, Rooms Division Manager

The appointment represents another career progression for Mr Levey, who has made a significant contribution to the global hotel chain in various positions since 2005, when he joined the company as a corporate cadet at Rydges Oasis Resort Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.

Having carved a reputation as a passionate hotelier with exceptional interpersonal skills, Mr Levey now brings his wealth of experience to this role with the opening team of Rydges' newest hotel, located within the historically rich Brisbane Showgrounds precinct.

Mr Levey will oversee the hotel's reservations, front desk and maintenance teams to ensure Rydges' world class standards are upheld throughout the establishment's 208 guest rooms.

He joins Rydges Fortitude Valley from Rydges World Square, where he served as Yield and Revenue Manager since 2012 and earned distinction as a finalist in the TAA Awards of Excellence in 2014.

About Rydges Fortitude Valley

Rydges Fortitude Valley is ideally positioned to capture both business and leisure travellers as the district evolves to become a thriving lifestyle destination.

The hotel provides convenient and luxurious accommodation for visitors attending a wide range of events and festivals held at the adjacent showgrounds, which are currently in the throes of a $2.9 billion major redevelopment by RNA and Lendlease.

Offering all the modern amenities and contemporary style expected by the discerning guest, Rydges Fortitude Valley's impressive range of facilities has been thoughtfully conceived with rural charm.

Exciting dining and entertainment offerings include the signature Six Acres Restaurant, providing guests with an innovative farm-to-table experience of fresh, locally sourced produce, while Paddock Bar boasts a charming, country-style atmosphere with panoramic views to the RNA showgrounds and the Royal International Exhibition Centre (RICC).

The hotel is situated along Brisbane's newest and most vibrant café and retail strip of King Street, and on the fringe of the city's renowned entertainment quarter of The Valley, with its eclectic mix of shopping, bars and restaurants.

Rydges Fortitude Valley offers three flexible meeting rooms, and is ideally situated across from RICC, which boasts indoor and outdoor facilities including a main arena with grandstands capable of accommodating up to 18,000 people.

Free WIFI is available for all Rydges guests, while all guest rooms and suites feature a mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, individually controlled air conditioning and more.

Rydges Fortitude Valley is now taking bookings, with first guests to be welcomed from 9 February 2016.  For more information, www.rydgesfortitudevalley.com or to make a booking email: reservations_fortitudevalley@rydges.com

About the Development Partners – Denwal & Baron Corporation

Denwol group is a Sydney based diversified property group owned and controlled by Phillip Wolanski AM. With more than 35 years of experience, the group has investments in five hotels, three of which they successfully developed themselves. Mr Wolanski said, “It is exciting to be delivering a new hotel of this calibre into the heart of the Brisbane Showground's Regeneration Project.”

Baron Corporation is a diversified Melbourne based property developer and owner. The group holds a portfolio of domestic and international investments and has successfully developed office, residential and retail assets throughout Australia.

Stewart Baron, Managing Director of Baron Corporation Pty Ltd said, “We are looking forward to working with the Rydges, RNA , Royal International Convention Centre and EKKA management to create a unique business partnership in this fast growing area and that as the first full service brand hotel that is Australian owned and operated it was a great opportunity for local business to work with this exciting new project.”

About Rydges

Rydges operates quality city, suburban and resort style hotels in key destinations across Australia and New Zealand, and London in the United Kingdom.

The group accommodates over one million guests each year across a range of market segments including corporate, conference, government, leisure, inbound and domestic groups and international travellers. Delivering exceptional service is a priority for Rydges with a genuine passion to accommodate guests and exceed their expectations.

About Priority Guest Rewards (PGR)

The Priority Guest Rewards Program is a popular hotel club which offers guests the ability to earn free room nights, 10% discount on our best flexible rates and leisure packages, food & drinks benefits, and reward points at over 45 hotels and resorts across 4 brands in key destinations across Australia, New Zealand and London, UK. As part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), PGR members also receive benefits at over 450 hotels, palaces and resorts, in 62 countries around the world across 25 brands including QT Hotels & Resorts, Kempinski Hotels, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Alila Resorts and Omni Hotels & Resorts.

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