Exciting New Culinary Chapter at The Brisbane Golf Club: Welcoming Executive Chef Gillian Hirst

The Board of The Brisbane Golf Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Gillian Hirst as our new Executive Chef. Gillian, a multi-award-winning culinary professional and a true icon of Queensland’s food scene, will commence her role on Monday, 30 December 2024.

With over three decades of experience in commercial kitchen management, high-end dining, and casual dining, Gillian brings an extraordinary level of expertise to the Club. She is celebrated for creating the iconic Sand Crab Lasagne, a dish synonymous with Queensland’s culinary heritage.

Gillian’s accolades include winning the prestigious American Express Gold Plate Award seven times, the Gourmet Traveller Best Restaurant in Queensland Award three times, and the Courier Mail Good Food Guide Award five times. Her illustrious career has seen her serve as Executive Chef at Il Centro Restaurant and as the owner of Indigo Bistro. Remarkably, she is the only Australian to have appeared on the internationally renowned ‘Iron Chef’ television show in Japan, which boasts an audience of millions. Additionally, she has lent her expertise as a consultant to esteemed establishments such as Hotel Okura in Tokyo and the Ritz-Carlton in Singapore.

Deb Kember, President of The Brisbane Golf Club, said “Gillian’s appointment reinforces the Board’s commitment to enhancing the services offered to members.”

“Gillian’s addition will elevate daily operations and food offerings while introducing a variety of new and exciting events for members to enjoy.”

CEO, Geoff Kuehner is excited by Gillian’s appointment, “After a busy year, our focus in 2025 will shift towards improving hospitality available to Members. I am excited to work alongside someone of Gillian’s calibre to achieve those goals.”

“Gillian has already shared some exciting ideas to elevate our dining experiences,” he said.

Plans are underway to enhance the Garden Room offerings and introduce more casual dining options in the Member’s Lounge. A new menu, showcasing Gillian’s innovative culinary vision, will be one of the first priorities for early 2025.

The position was advertised on seek.com.au, attracting over 116 applications. We extend our gratitude to our current Executive Chef, Michael Garry, who has served in the role since August 2022. Michael’s contributions have been greatly valued, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

We invite all members to join us in warmly welcoming Gillian Hirst to The Brisbane Golf Club. Stay tuned for opportunities to experience her exceptional culinary creations in the coming months.