Solotel has appointed its first ever food and beverage director, Joshua Hillary (ex Duxton Hospitality Services, Rockpool Dining Group).
Hillary, who officially starts mid-October, will direct a sharp new focus on service, food, and drink across Solotel’s portfolio of 26 pubs, bars, and restaurants. The senior leadership team appointment signals an important milestone in Solotel’s ambitious strategy to be the choice in hospitality for the next generation, curating the most creative, culture-forward, and personalised hospitality experiences.
Hillary brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the role, including most recently as director of operations at Duxton Hospitality Services and prior to that as food and beverage director at Rockpool Dining Group. A team of Solotel’s food and beverage specialists will report into Hillary and will work with the venue teams across the likes of Opera Bar; Barangaroo House; North Bondi Fish; Aria; Kings Cross Hotel; The Clock, Surry Hills; The Abercrombie and others.
“Josh’s appointment as Solotel’s first ever food and beverage director is hugely significant for us as a group and demonstrates the deep commitment we have to elevating these crucial components of each of our pub, bar, and restaurant offerings,” explains Solotel CEO Elliot Solomon.
“We’re incredibly excited about the evolution of Solotel and the opportunities that Josh’s expertise and experience will open up for food, drink, and guest experience at Solotel venues. We can’t wait for him to get started in October just in time for Chez Blue, our new neighbourhood French bistro, to open in Rozelle.”
“I’ve been fortunate to have built up a diverse range of experience across some amazing venues,” explains Hillary.
“I’m looking forward to applying similar principles in terms of guest experience to Solotel’s established pubs, restaurants, and bars as well as its future openings. I’m particularly excited about taking what people expect of pub food and guest experience and really stretching that to a new level.”
Hillary’s appointment follows the unveiling of Solotel’s fresh new brand and company values in April as part of its strategy to attract top talent for its future growth plans. The rebrand positioned Solotel as ‘A Family of Venues’ with ‘enabling growth, cultivating creativity, and creating unity’ at the heart of its values.