Meet The Team
For the last two decades, Chichester Restaurants has been dedicated to providing a wide range of employment opportunities across various locations on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.
As we look to the future, our vision remains focused on continuing to deliver exceptional food and beverage experiences that cater not just to our local customers, but also to the many visitors who come to explore our region.
Operating three distinct hospitality venues requires a team that is not only dedicated and hardworking but also possess exceptional skills.
In the fast-paced hospitality industry, enjoying weekends and spending quality time with family can often feel like a rare luxury, as can taking time off during public holidays. It is this unwavering dedication from our team that truly fuels the success and reputation of our venues.
We invite you to take a moment to learn more about some of the incredible staff members you may encounter during your visit with us.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
We have several positions available within the Chichester Restaurants Group. Some positions require experience but if you have a can-do attitude, we are able to provide the correct training for the right candidate.
Come and be part of a fun, exciting team which provide continued support and flexibility.
_edited_edited.jpg)
OWNER | EXECUTIVE CHEF
Marty Chichester
Welshman Marty Chichester is the award winning Executive Chef and owner of the Chichester Restaurants Group. Marty is an innovative chef and restaurateur with over 40 years experience in the hospitality industry in both Australia and overseas.
Marty has been the face and head chef at Oakdene Vineyards since 2004, and in 2014 took over the hospitality venues at Oakdene; the newly opened Mr Grubb bistro and the restaurant (now the sophisticated Manor Suite Wine Bar (named after a local bar Marty frequented while living in Wales). Marty was determined to carry on the continued success and loyal following he had accumulated over the years at Oakdene.
In 2018, Marty opened the cafe Fork N Flower at the Geelong Flower Farm in Moolap (off the Bellarine Highway). A casual dining venue overlooking the beautiful flower and gift shop of the Geelong Flower Farm.
What's your passion?
The feeling that really great food gives you and creating a dish that is delicious and that staff replicate in the same manner, resulting in consistency of the dishes.
How do you unwind after a long day?
Talking to my birds. The process of feeding, changing the water and talking to my birds relaxes me and allows me to switch off for a few hours.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The power to be in more than one place at a time.
GENERAL MANAGER
Robyn Fitzpatrick
Robyn is a Chartered accountant with over 25 years experience in the hospitality and wine industry, starting her professional life working for mid tier accounting firms in Melbourne, before making the sea change to Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula in 2000.
Robyn has worked at Oakdene since 2012 as the General Manager, ensuring the management, administration, marketing and payroll runs smoothly and problem solving in her spare time.
What's your passion?
Enjoying great food and wine with family and friends. I love the vibe that a great day out brings. Add some live music and I am in heaven.
How do you unwind after a long day?
It's an hours drive home, so I unwind by listening to a good Audio Book, followed by spending time with the family, dinner and pets with a relax on the couch watching the latest thing on Netflix etc.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would love to be invisible - find out what happends behind closed doors. Just imagine.
OPERATIONS MANAGER (FOH Cluster Manager)
Kran Thatsanat
Kran has been working in the hospitality industry since he was 15 years old. Taking some time off to gain a Bachelor or Architectural Technology, he returned back to Oakdene in 2022, looking to eventually take over the reigns from Marty.
Kran works at all 3 venues in the Chichester Restaurant Group as Front of House Operations Manager and behind the scenes ensuring procedures and processes are maintained.
What's your passion?
I love to make grumpy customers smile, with great service and problem solving. Turning someone's day around gives me a sense of achievement.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I unwind by spending time with my family and playing with my son. I also watch movies and play video games to relax.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To be able to multiply myself, so I can work more and set my family up for the future.
WEDDINGS & EVENTS MANAGER
Daniella D'Amore
Daniella has worked in the hospitality industry for over 35 years with the last 15 years being spent in event management.
What's your passion?
Daniella has many passions. She enjoys cooking, gardening, music, people and exploring spiritual wellbeing.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I meditate, garden, cook or have coffee catch up with friends. Holidays help too.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The ability to make everybody feel positive and good. Just think, there would be no more wars or violence. Everyone would live in peace and harmony.
RESTAURANT MANAGER - MR GRUBB
Zan
Zan has been working in the hospitality sector since she was a young girl, in her family's restaurant in Japan. She moved to Australia in 2019 to further her education and to accomplish something for 'herself'.
Zan always has a smile on her face and loves working in the hospitality industry. She gets a kick out of talking to people and loves the feeling she gets when they are happy because of good food and service.
What's your passion?
My passion is food, particulary baking. The smell of something baking in the oven relaxes me.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I unwind after a stressful day by going for a walk along the beach.
KITCHEN MANAGER - MR GRUBB
Ben Frost
Ben has been cooking for almost 30 years, spending time in Apollo Bay and Melbourne at high end restaurants such as Longrain and Moma before joining the Mr Grubb team in 2018.
What's your passion?
Ben's passions are cooking, surfing and doing anything he tries to the best of his ability.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I unwind with a beer and a good meal (usually cooked by me!!).
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
A bottomless stomach so I could keep eating everything I like.
CHEF DE PARTIE - MR GRUBB
Amos
Amos hails from Sardinia and moved to Australia in 2019. Amos has been a chef for over 10 years.
What's your passion?
Amos's passion is food and the ocean
How do you unwind after a long day?
Amos unwinds by cooking (as long as someone does the dishes) and playing Playstation.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I want to be able to breathe underwater like Aquaman.
CHEF DE PARTIE - FORK N FLOWER
Chat
Chat moved to Australia from Nongkhai, Thailand in 2016 after finishing high school. She heads up our kitchen team at the Fork N Flower and has worked with the Chichester Group since 2021.
What's your passion?
Spending time with family and eating.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I relax by watching movies and playing video games. I also love trying out new restaurants on my days off.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Reading peoples minds. I'm interested to see whether their facial expression is the same as their actual thoughts.
RESTAURANT MANAGER - MANOR SUITE WINE BAR
Matt
Matt moved to Australia in 2014 from Thailand and has worked as a bar tender/manager for over 12 years.
What's your passion?
Matt's passion is creation. Whether it be creating signature cocktails, or designing he loves seeing people happy with his creations.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I read investment books to unwind, watch TV & play video games to relax after a long day at work.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would like to be fast, so I could help people in rescue/disaster situations.
CHEF DE PARTIE - MANOR SUITE WINE BAR
Earng
Earng moved to Australia in 2016 after finishing a Bachelor or Business Administration in Thailand.
What's your passion?
Earng is passionate about food. Particularly eating delicious food. No wonder she's now a Chef.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I unwind by watching TV - I love Japanese Anime.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would like to be Mario. Zooming all over the place in cool little cars.
BARISTA - FORK N FLOWER
Sabrina
Sabrina has been a Barista for over 10 years, working at Brown Sugar Cafe before joining the team at Fork N Flower in 2023.
What's your passion?
Sabrina's passion is coffee. She loves being a barista and loves making coffee because it makes people happy.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I unwind by hanging out with my kids - a 4 year old and a 7 year old keeps me young.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Mind Reading. I love helping people, so it would help me understand what was going on with them.
CHEF DE PARTIE - FORK N FLOWER
Jane
Jane moved to Australia 5 years ago from Bangkok, changing her career from a produce sales rep to a chef.
What's your passion?
Jane is passionate about trying to cook great food for customers.
How do you unwind after a long day?
To unwind I say at home & play with my cats.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Time Travelling. Would love to be able to travel backwards into the past & forward to see what the world could be like.