Newcastle, 9 April 2025: Crystalbrook Kingsley is set to make a significant mark on Newcastle’s dining scene with the arrival of Executive Chef Thomas Heinrich. A culinary powerhouse with over three decades of experience, Chef Heinrich’s world-class credentials re-affirm the hotel as an unmissable dining destination. Having previously cooked for the likes of Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey and led critically acclaimed kitchens around the globe including Fifty-Seven Fifty-Seven in New York City, Chef Heinrich’s arrival is poised to make waves in the region.

Under Heinrich’s direction, Crystalbrook Kingsley’s celebrated dining venues, including the iconic rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and Romberg’s bar, plus Ms Mary all-day dining, in-room menus, and event catering, will undergo an exciting transformation bringing a fresh, innovative perspective to modern Australian cuisine. Chef Heinrich’s philosophy is simple yet refined; fusing local, seasonal ingredients with international culinary techniques to create memorable dishes where the produce takes centre stage.

On the new Roundhouse menu, guests can expect a blend of classic and contemporary culinary creations, including Wagyu MBS6+ Inside Skirt marinated in Coca-Cola with shimeji, green onion, red shiso butter, saltbush seed and Golden sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna with cabbage, nashi pears, plum vinegar dressing and Tonburi mountain caviar. For dessert lovers, the Pumpkin pie crème brûlée with citrus crème fraîche is not to be missed, nor is the Hunter Honey-poached pear with burnt Papua New Guinea vanilla, Tahitensis goat milk ice cream and homemade honeycomb.

It’s Chef Heinrich’s signature Six Course Tasting Menu that promises to be the true showstopper, featuring interactive dishes like K’gari Wild Spanner Crab prepared tableside, offering a unique and engaging experience for guests. “It’s about more than just food,” Chef Heinrich says. “I want every meal to be an experience; something that excites, surprises, and brings people together - leaving them with lasting memories long after the final bite.”

“We’re thrilled to have Chef Heinrich join us,” says Josquin Crepelliere, General Manager of Crystalbrook Kingsley. “His experience, creativity, and dedication to local produce will elevate Crystalbrook Kingsley into the heart of Newcastle’s dining revolution.”

Crystalbrook Kingsley has long championed the best of local produce. Now, under Heinrich’s guidance, the focus will sharpen further on forging deeper partnerships with Hunter Valley growers, Newcastle fishers, and artisans to craft dishes that celebrate the region’s rich biodiversity. “I am passionate about taking local ingredients and allowing the seasonal flavours to shine” says Heinrich.

Chef Heinrich’s arrival coincides with the appointment of the hotel’s new Food and Beverage Manager and Sommelier; Ashleigh Smith, with a keen focus on celebrating the regions outstanding wines.

Roundhouse is currently offering a Two-course midweek menu ($68 pp), plus a Three-course menu ($95 pp), Four-course menu ($105 pp) or Six-course Chef’s tasting menu ($125 pp). The venue is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, with special offers also available during April for Newcastle Food Month.

Images and supporting material linked here

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Media Contact:
Marlii Carroll
Director of Marketing- Crystalbrook Kingsley
282 King Street, Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia
P: 0418 667 592
E: marlii.carroll@crystalbrookcollection.com
W: crystalbrookcollection.com/Kingsley

About Crystalbrook Kingsley
The first luxury hotel to grace Newcastle, Crystalbrook Kingsley is sustainably-led, steeped in history, and sparks vibrant energy and nostalgia in one moment. Offering 130 guest rooms, each with its own unique view, the hotel is culturally connected in the heart of the city, close to City Hall, Civic Theatre, Art Gallery and War Memorial Cultural Centre. The hotel is crowned by rooftop restaurant, Roundhouse, and rooftop bar, Romberg’s, alongside ground floor café, bar and high tea destination, Ms Mary.

About Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts
Crystalbrook is one of Australia’s leading sustainable and innovative independent hospitality companies. Each hotel in the portfolio carries an authentic expression of its location, a passion for responsible luxury, considered design and a twinkle of fun for a uniquely enriching experience.

Crystalbrook’s portfolio includes:

• Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Albion, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Bailey, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Flynn, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Sam, Adelaide, South Australia (opening 2026)
• Crystalbrook Canberra, Australia Capital Territory (opening 2027)

Affiliate Hotel:

• Sydney Harbour Hotel, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales

The Group also owns and operates a collection of seventeen restaurants and bars, three spas, and Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas.

Crystalbrook Collection and Ghassan Aboud Group

Crystalbrook Collection is part of Ghassan Aboud Group owned by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud. The group is a multi-business conglomerate engaged in automobiles, real estate, hospitality, FMCG, food, retail, bespoke catering, media and logistics. In business for more than two decades, the group operates from its global headquarters in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Australia, Belgium, Jordan and Turkey.