David Finlayson

David Finlayson Email and Phone Number

National Group Executive Chef @ ALH Hotels
David Finlayson's Location
Hawthorne, Queensland, Australia, Australia
About David Finlayson

Director of culinary and operations veteran with over 25 years experience, developing, planning and executing new concepts and brands from the ground up. Strategic planner with a an eye for details around all things hospitality.Concept development is a true passion and what I truely love to do and have done for the past 10 years.Marketing and branding.Human Resources and team development is a love throughout every aspect of business.A numbers man with a keen eye for business also as making a business profitable is so very important in this days and age.

David Finlayson's Current Company Details
ALH Hotels

Alh Hotels

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National Group Executive Chef
David Finlayson Work Experience Details
  • Alh Hotels
    National Group Executive Chef
    Alh Hotels Sep 2023 - Present
    Australia
    We are a market leader offering a diverse array of hospitality experiences including electronic gaming, sports bars, bistros, restaurants, cafes, accommodation, nightclubs, live sports and racing. Our portfolio includes iconic hotels and neighbourhood pubs, each tailored to its local market. ALH Hotels continues to grow and develop our range of leisure and entertainment venues across Australia offering an exciting night out, whichever your location and styleOver 350 venuesOver 60,000 meals a dayOver 2,400 accommodation roomsSponsor over 800 clubs nationallySpend over $30M p.a. on bands, acts and DJ’sEmploy over 12,000 people
  • Howard Smith Wharves
    Culinary Director
    Howard Smith Wharves Sep 2018 - Sep 2023
    Brisbane
    I am responsible for operations at 10 separate venues within the Howard Smith Wharves group. I also manage a total of 185 chefs with 14 direct reports. Over the past 17 months, we have achieved remarkable employment stability with just 4% staff turnover, saving recruitment and training costs. My other responsibilities include the management of all opening processes, overseeing staff recruitment and kitchen design.During my tenure here, we have won multiple awards, including Queensland chef of the year 2019 and the Best New Bar for Mr Percival’s at the Savour Awards, a ‘One Hat’ award for Arc Restaurant and ‘Best New Venue’ Queensland for the Felons Brewing Company.
  • The Lucas Group Pty Ltd
    Group Executive Chef
    The Lucas Group Pty Ltd Jan 2015 - Aug 2018
    Melbourne, Australia
    As Group Executive Chef, I managed the entire culinary organization at 7 separate sites, maintaining the highest culinary standards and driving creativity and innovation. It was a complex task involving the supervision of 320 chefs with 22 direct reports.My responsibilities extended across several outlets including the Chin Chin, Kong, Baby, Hawker Hall and Kisume restaurants. I also headed the operations of the procurement team and oversaw the important areas of OH&S, HACCP hazard analysis training, controlled the cost of goods and the Group’s entire production facility.
  • Oscar W'S And The American Hotel
    Culinary Operations Manager
    Oscar W'S And The American Hotel Dec 2012 - Jan 2015
    Echuca
    For just over two years, I filled the role of operations manager at Oscar W’s Wharfside fine dining restaurant in the tourist hub of Echuca on the Murray River. After putting systems in place and establishing the highest quality standards, Oscar W’s was rewarded with ‘One Hat’ by The Age Good Food Guide.A second responsibility for me was the opening of the multi award-winning American Hotel in March 2013. I began by setting up processes and procedures, conducting full training of staff through my managers and insisting on performance to budgeted figures. My prior 17 years’ experience in hospitality made the transition into this role both comfortable and challenging.
  • Made Establishment
    Head 'Chef Tournant'
    Made Establishment Aug 2011 - Dec 2012
    Melbourne, Australia
    This great role with George Calombaris’ renowned restaurant group involved a senior, supervisory duties – covering for all head chefs within the group. It demanded versatility and called on my broad range of skills as I would assume all responsibilities of each chef at each restaurant. The outlets involved included the Press Club, Maha, Little Press, PM24, Hellenic, St Katherines and Mama Baba
  • Tapeo Restaurant Limited
    Head Chef
    Tapeo Restaurant Limited Jun 2010 - Jun 2011
    Hong Kong
    I spent 18 months in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, working as Head Chef at these award-winning Tapas Bars. My key duties included the management of the kitchens of two outlets, controlling every aspect of operations including food costs, menu design, health and safety and staff training
  • Harveys Restaurant
    Head Chef
    Harveys Restaurant Dec 2009 - Jun 2010
    Melbourne, Australia
    Harveys Restaurant was a Melbourne institution and roundly regarded one of the best places in the city for breakfast. As the Head Chef of this very popular all-day restaurant, I managed every aspect of the kitchen, supervised 6 chefs and set and maintained the highest culinary and service standards.
  • Kent Hotel
    Head Chef
    Kent Hotel Oct 2008 - Dec 2009
    New South Wales, Australia
    This was a very busy pub where my kitchen served 300 covers daily. As the Head Chef in charge of 12 staff, I delivered a consistently high standard of food as well as managing menu design, staff training, OH&S plus all food and labour costs.
  • Oscar W'S Redgum Grill & Deck Bar
    Head Chef
    Oscar W'S Redgum Grill & Deck Bar Jan 2005 - Oct 2008
    Victoria, Australia
    My first stint in Echuca where I put new systems and improved standards in my role as Head Chef of this 100-seat restaurant and large café attracting the tourist trade. My changes involved staff training and a refreshed menu design, as well as the control of all food and labour costs. We were thrilled to receive with the Regional Restaurant of the Year award in 2008.
  • Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection
    Chef De Cuisine
    Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection May 2004 - Jan 2005
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    I spent eight months in Dubai, working at this extraordinary 5-star deluxe hotel. It boasts no fewer than 442 rooms and a total of 14 food outlets. I started out as Chef de Cuisine of the resort’s British restaurant but after just one month, I was rapidly promoted to Chef de Cuisine Tournant – working across each of their restaurants. It was a brief but remarkable experience.
  • Various
    Prior Experienve
    Various Dec 1996 - May 2004
    August 2003 - May2004 Park Hotel, Falkirk June 2002 - August 2003 Auchrannie House Hotel, Isle of ArranMarch 2001 - June2002 Airds Hotel, Port Appin May 2000 - March 2001 Beardmore Hotel GlasgowFebruary 1999 - May 2000 Staple Ford Park, London December 1996 - February 1999 Skibo Castle in Scotland

David Finlayson Skills

Hospitality Management Catering Food And Beverage Culinary Skills Restaurants Fine Dining Hospitality Food Menu Development Pre Opening

David Finlayson Education Details

  • Scottish Cullinary School
    Scottish Cullinary School

Frequently Asked Questions about David Finlayson

What company does David Finlayson work for?

David Finlayson works for Alh Hotels

What is David Finlayson's role at the current company?

David Finlayson's current role is National Group Executive Chef.

What schools did David Finlayson attend?

David Finlayson attended Scottish Cullinary School.

What skills is David Finlayson known for?

David Finlayson has skills like Hospitality Management, Catering, Food And Beverage, Culinary Skills, Restaurants, Fine Dining, Hospitality, Food, Menu Development, Pre Opening.

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