It’s been over a decade of dedication to Hunter St. Hospitality (formerly part of Rockpool Dining Group) for Dane Reid.
Dane was recently promoted to Restaurant General Manager after four years as an Assistant Restaurant Manager at Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney.
Balancing Act
His new role is a co-share arrangement with colleague Federico Maccan. Federico was also promoted to Restaurant General Manager after being an Assistant Restaurant Manager for four years. Their individual skills complement each others. Between them, they balance the management of Sydney’s most prestigious steakhouse and seafood restaurant.
Dane didn’t set out to work in hospitality. He grew up in north-eastern NSW. After a stint working as a screen printer, he took a job bartending at a local nightclub.
A self-confessed night owl, he says the hours suited him. Plus, it was a lot of fun. Bartending also paved the way to travel: first to Byron Bay where he worked at the iconic Beach Hotel, then to Sydney, then on to London and Spain.
Climbing The Restaurant Ladder
Back in Sydney at the beginning of 2012, he started working as a Bartender at Spice Temple, which is also part of the Hunter St. Hospitality portfolio. He worked his way up to Bar Manager. Determined to progress in his hospitality career, he moved into an Assistant Restaurant Manager role. Then in 2018, he took his Assistant Restaurant Manager skills to Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney.
One of the things he enjoys most about working at Rockpool is “the family we have created with staff and our regular customers,” he says.
He also relishes the challenges and high intensity of working in a large restaurant. “The social side and interacting with guests and colleagues help keep life interesting,” Dane adds.
“I like to be in control. I feel it comes naturally. I like mentoring staff and leading by example. The diversity of responsibilities is exciting and rewarding at the end of the day.”
Next Professional Step
Dane says he has worked with Federico for long enough to know that they complement each other professionally.
“We’re quite different from each other. Federico is very analytical and I’m very empathetic. I guess you could say we’re yin and yang.”
In his new role, Dane is looking forward to “making Rockpool the best it can be”. He’s also looking forward to building the team and learning new aspects of the business … “dealing more with financials and the way the company works,” he explains.
“It’s the next stop in my professional life that been working towards.”
If you’re inspired to work alongside Dane and the team at Rockpool Sydney, view our vacancies here.
