Rivercall Roast Team

Meet Our Leadership

Our executive leadership sets the tone for distinctive hospitality and culinary excellence across the venue, uniting industry expertise with a passion for authentic Australian dining experiences.

Rivercall Roast leadership team standing together in a bright Australian restaurant interior

Leadership Profiles

The people shaping every service

Rivercall Roast brings together leaders who have honed their craft in celebrated Australian restaurants, boutique bars and premium event spaces. Each brings a distinct perspective, united by a commitment to considered hospitality.

Culinary Lead

Head Chef — Claire Porter

Contemporary Australian fine dining

With two decades in contemporary Australian fine dining, Claire combines locally sourced produce and innovative technique to deliver refined, seasonal menus that celebrate the region. Expect clean flavours, relaxed luxury and dishes that feel both familiar and quietly surprising.

  • Champions seasonal Australian seafood, pasture-raised meats and native botanicals.
  • Designs menus that transition seamlessly from intimate dinners to lively group celebrations.
  • Collaborates closely with the bar team to pair plates with local wines and signature cocktails.

Guest Experience

Venue Manager — Mark Sullivan

Premium floor service and operations

Mark’s experience in premium hospitality ensures every guest receives personalised attention, seamless service and a welcoming club-like atmosphere. His focus is on rhythm — from smooth arrivals and reservations to impeccably timed courses and thoughtful goodbyes.

  • Leads floor teams across restaurant service, private events and poker evenings.
  • Trains staff in unobtrusive, detail-driven service and inclusive hosting.
  • Oversees reservations, table allocations and guest preferences.

Events & Entertainment

Events & Poker Host — Emily Tran

Private events and offline poker evenings

Emily curates memorable private events and hosts our sophisticated offline poker evenings, blending warmth, professionalism and an eye for detail. Every experience is designed to feel organised yet relaxed, with guests free to focus on conversation, food and the table in front of them.

  • Coordinates in-venue, in-person poker nights with professional hosts, real tables, cards and chips.
  • Designs tailored experiences for corporate hospitality, celebrations and club-style gatherings.
  • Works alongside the bar and kitchen teams to pair menus with each event format.

The Restaurant Team

Floor and kitchen, moving as one

Our floor and kitchen teams are a close-knit group of professionals, dedicated to setting an inviting tone and ensuring excellence from open to close. Every service is approached as a shared performance — precise, calm and genuinely welcoming.

Service rhythm

From first glasses poured to last desserts served, our team moves with calm confidence, keeping conversations flowing while courses arrive at just the right pace.

Kitchen craft

Chefs work closely with local suppliers and producers, maintaining a focused menu that respects ingredients and celebrates Australian coastal and regional flavours.

Poker-night support

During offline poker evenings, our team delivers full restaurant service tableside, pairing a social card-room energy with polished dining and bar offerings.

View the restaurant menu Explore private events
Restaurant team serving guests in a bright Australian dining room at Rivercall Roast

Hospitality Philosophy

A modern Australian club spirit

We are committed to fostering genuine Australian hospitality, encouraging a club spirit among guests and upholding the highest standards in service, presentation and responsible entertainment.

Genuine welcome, every visit

Rivercall Roast is designed to feel like a favourite coastal club — relaxed, bright and quietly luxurious. Our team focuses on learning guest preferences, anticipating needs and making every visit feel familiar without ever being predictable.

  • Warm, unhurried greetings and clear guidance to your table or event space.
  • Menus explained in approachable language, with thoughtful recommendations.
  • Considered pacing tailored to business dinners, celebrations or pre-theatre dining.

Culinary and bar in conversation

Our kitchen and bar teams collaborate closely so food, cocktails and wines feel effortlessly aligned. Seasonal menus highlight Australian seafood, native herbs, coastal citrus and cool-climate wines from across the country.

  • Signature cocktails built around Australian botanicals and house infusions.
  • Balanced wine list with a focus on New South Wales, South Australian and Victorian producers.
  • Event-specific pairings for corporate hospitality, private dinners and poker nights.

Offline poker, thoughtfully hosted

Our poker evenings are entirely offline, held at the physical Rivercall Roast venue with real tables, cards, chips and in-person hosts. The emphasis is always on social connection, hospitality and responsible participation.

  • Hosted by trained staff who prioritise guest comfort and fair, well-paced play.
  • No online gambling, digital betting interfaces or virtual poker rooms.
  • Events run under venue rules, booking conditions and applicable Australian regulations.

Professional Experience

Careers built across Australia’s hospitality scene

Our team brings together backgrounds in celebrated restaurants, boutique bars, luxury hotels and high-profile social venues throughout Australia. This collective experience shapes everything from our wine list to the way we host a late-evening poker table.

Fine dining foundations

Many of our senior team members have trained in hatted restaurants and high-traffic dining rooms. They bring a calm, methodical approach to service — balancing precision with the ease and warmth guests expect from a modern Australian venue.

  • Experience in menu development for seasonal, produce-led dining.
  • Strong knowledge of Australian wine regions and food pairings.
  • Confidence in hosting corporate groups and special occasions.

Boutique bars and social venues

Our bar, events and floor leaders have shaped cocktail programs and social clubs across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. At Rivercall Roast, that experience translates into drinks that feel elevated but approachable, and evenings that are structured yet relaxed.

  • Signature cocktails inspired by Australian botanicals and coastal flavours.
  • Service standards designed for conversation-first social spaces.
  • In-person poker formats that complement shared plates and long-table dinners.

Events and hotel polish

Team members from luxury hotels and event venues bring a meticulous approach to planning and guest care. Whether you are booking a private poker night, product launch or milestone celebration, you will feel that same level of structure and assurance.

  • Clear pre-event communication, timelines and run sheets.
  • Flexible layouts for standing receptions, seated dinners and card-room settings.
  • Dedicated on-the-day contact for hosts and organisers.
Friendly Rivercall Roast team member greeting guests at the entrance of the restaurant

Careers at the Venue

Join a team that values craft and connection

We welcome passionate hospitality professionals seeking a vibrant workplace that values growth, wellbeing and respect. At Rivercall Roast, you will join a team where expertise, creativity and authentic connection are celebrated.

Why work with us

  • Daytime training and development built around real services.
  • A supportive culture that celebrates calm, thoughtful hospitality.
  • Exposure to premium dining, private events and hosted poker evenings.

Who we’re looking for

  • Front-of-house professionals who enjoy genuine guest interaction.
  • Chefs and kitchen team members with a passion for Australian produce.
  • Bar and events specialists who value responsible, in-person entertainment.
View careers

To enquire about upcoming opportunities, please visit our dedicated careers page or contact our venue team directly.

Responsible Hospitality & Participation

Thoughtful hosting, from first drink to final hand

We promote responsible service, age-appropriate participation and inclusive practices across all areas of the venue, in line with Australian law and our commitment to guest wellbeing.

Responsible service and dining

All Rivercall Roast team members are trained in responsible service of alcohol and guest care. We balance generous hospitality with clear duty-of-care, ensuring that guests can relax, celebrate and connect in a safe and considered environment.

  • RSA-trained team members across bar and floor.
  • Clear communication around beverage strengths and pacing.
  • Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options available throughout the menu.

Offline poker-night guidelines

Every poker-night event at Rivercall Roast is held exclusively in person at our physical venue. These evenings are designed as social, hospitality-led experiences rather than high-stakes competition or financial opportunity.

  • No online poker rooms, digital betting or virtual gaming platforms.
  • Participation is subject to venue rules, booking conditions and staff direction.
  • Emphasis on enjoyment, conversation and shared hospitality at the table.

Age and participation

We maintain clear age and conduct standards to protect guests and team members alike. Our staff are empowered to support anyone who may need assistance, more information or alternative arrangements during their visit.

  • All poker-night attendance is strictly subject to age restrictions and valid identification, in line with Australian laws and regulations.
  • Guests are encouraged to participate within their comfort level and to take breaks as needed.
  • Our team is available to answer questions about house rules or responsible participation at any time.

Important: Rivercall Roast does not offer online gambling or digital betting of any kind. All poker activities are held offline at the physical venue, and participation is governed by responsible service policies, venue rules and applicable Australian laws.

Experience the team in full flow

Join us for dinner, cocktails or a hosted offline poker evening and see how our leadership, kitchen and floor teams bring the Rivercall Roast philosophy to life.

Reserve a table View poker-night schedule Enquire about private events