Sydney hospitality operator Odd Culture Group has made two major appointments to its leadership team ahead of a new venue opening in the CBD.
In late 2024, the group brought restaurant operator and sommelier Rebecca Lines on board as chief operating officer, while Michelin award-winning chef Alex Haupt was appointed group executive chef.
The appointments are intended to strengthen Odd Culture’s expertise in food and operations ahead of a new venue launch slated for the end of the year. The group has confirmed a central CBD location for the new site, which will be its largest venue yet, but further details are yet to be revealed.
As the former co-owner of Banksii in Barangaroo and Redbird Chinese in Redfern, Lines has an extensive hospitality career, bringing a range of industry expertise from curation of award-winning beverage programs to concept development and design.
As COO, Lines will oversee the group’s operations efficiency with a focus on exceptional service and customer experience, and implementing and streamlining the group’s operational strategies.
“Joining Odd Culture Group felt like a natural fit culturally. Overseeing an established portfolio of venues alongside new development is a unique opportunity, and I’m excited to have joined ahead of what will be a pivotal year for us. I believe the culmination of my experiences will help drive the company forward into the next phase of Odd Culture,” stated Lines.
After a 12-year career working in some of Europe’s most renowned kitchens, in which time he was awarded the Michelin Young Chef Award and appeared on Netflix show The Final Table, Haupt has returned to Sydney to lead the culinary direction across Odd Culture’s portfolio.
With a focus on innovative food menus, Haupt will ensure Odd Culture’s commitment to creative and high-quality cuisine is met across its existing network of venues. Haupt will also mentor the culinary team and lead menu development for the new CBD venue.
“My largest focus is to make sure we are providing the best possible guest experience possible throughout all of our venues. It’s really important to me to make sure our kitchen teams receive the support, vision and creativity they need to ensure they are able to thrive,” stated Haupt.
“Being such a diverse group with plans for expansion, it’s great to get my hands on different styles of venues and really explore their creative potential.”
Supporting Haupt with the culinary direction, long-standing group chef John Hockey has been appointed Head of Pub Kitchens, responsible for The Duke of Enmore and The Old Fitzroy in Woolloomooloo. Working alongside Haupt to oversee the kitchens at Odd Culture Newtown and Bistro Grenier is head chef Jesse Warkentin.
In their new roles, Lines and Haupt will work closely with Odd Culture CEO James Thorpe and creative director Nick Zavadszky across all new concepts and sustainability of venues. Under their guidance, the Duke of Enmore is set for a renovation and menu refresh, while Pleasure Club’s food and cocktail program will also be refined.
Enhancing Odd Culture’s live music and events offering, established team member and group operations and entertainment manager Sabrina Medcalf will further expand the entertainment program. Meanwhile, Jordan Blackman will continue to oversee beverage and wine programs across the group in his role as group beverage manager.
Australian Hotelier will bring you more updates about Odd Culture Group’s CBD venue throughout the year.