This week’s Flavour of the Week has got a spicy tang to it, but that could just be the extra chilli peppers we added to our oats this morning.

Adrian Teh named cluster GM for Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street and DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street

Hilton has announced Adrian Teh as cluster general manager for Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street and DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street.

In his role, Teh will be responsible for the management of the new Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, due to open in the first quarter of 2020 and will also oversee the management of DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne, Flinders Street.

Teh’s career with Hilton began in 2014 as director of operations at Hilton Brisbane before moving to Sydney to take up the role of director of operations at Hilton Sydney.

From there, he completed a three-month secondment at DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne, Flinders Street before moving into his most recent role as GM for Hilton Auckland and Hilton Lake Taupo.

Aqua Expeditions names Australia’s Benjamin Cross as Aqua Blu consulting chef

Benjamin Cross is creating a journey of flavours for Aqua Expeditions to complement Aqua Blu’s voyages as consulting chef ahead of 16 November 2019 inaugural sailing of this luxury expedition yacht in East Indonesia.

In 2013, he created Mejeakwi, Ku De Ta’s fine-dining concept in Bali, co-founded Hank’s Pizza & Liquor in Seminyak, created Fishbone Local, Mason, and The Back Room with BHG (Brett Hospitality Group) as co-owner and executive chef.

For Aqua Blu, Cross will create and oversee more than 100 recipes that together will showcase a refined journey of flavours from Asia to the Middle East, while still reflecting Indonesia’s role as the heart of the global spice trade in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In executing his culinary vision for Aqua Blu, Cross will rely on local ingredients sourced primarily from Bali and East Indonesia, including indigenous spices such as nutmeg and cloves, as well as a wealth of seafood such as giant Papuan prawns sustainably sourced from the Indonesian seas.

Outrigger Hospitality Group appoints Kenny Kan as SVP and chief development officer

Outrigger Hospitality Group has announced the appointment of Kenny Kan to senior vice president and chief development officer for the global beach resort brand.

In the newly reintroduced role, Kan will report directly to Outrigger president and CEO Jeff Wagoner and oversee the company’s growth initiatives, both in Hawaii and around the globe.

As chief development officer, Kan will help execute the company’s strategic growth strategy – increasing the Outrigger portfolio through acquisitions of resort properties and securing management contracts in Hawaii as well as global resort destinations.

American Express Global Business Travel appoints new CEO

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has announced that Paul Abbott will assume the role of CEO from next month.

Abbott replaces Doug Anderson, who is stepping down after three years in the role.

Jorika Smit appointed groups and events manager at The Table Bay, Cape Town

Jorika Smit has been counting stars since she got her first hotel job in 2008 – three-star, four-star and now five-star, moving through the ranks from conference coordinator at a small hotel to groups and events manager at Sun International’s five-star hotel at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The Table Bay.

W Bali Seminyak appoints new director of beverage and food

W Bali, the stylish playground on the legendary beaches of Seminyak, has announced the appointment of Philipp Haupenthal as director of beverage and food, overseeing the operation of the hotel’s award-winning outlets, including the two world-class restaurants, Starfish Bloo and FIRE; Woobar and W Lounge.

Carrying an outstanding beverage and food skill set, Haupenthal joins us from W Koh Samui.

Zagame’s House in Melbourne appoints Claire Gomolla as head of sales

Boutique hotel on Melbourne’s Lygon Street, Zagame’s House has appointed Claire Gomolla as its new head of sales.

With over eight years’ experience working in the Melbourne travel and tourism sectors, Gomolla brings a wealth of accolades and knowledge to the role.

Until recently, Gomolla was area sales manager in the Victorian and Tasmanian regions for The Art Series Hotel group. Prior to this, she spent three years working as a business development manager for Melbourne Short Stay Apartments.

Stuart Duplock to lead $1.6 billion revitalisation of Dunk Island and Mission Beach 

Australian-owned investment and corporate advisory group Mayfair 101 has announced the appointment of Stuart Duplock as CEO of Mayfair Iconic Properties.

Duplock will play a pivotal role in delivering the recently announced key projects on behalf of the Mayfair 101 Group.

These include the $1.6 billion investment to create a tourism mecca at Queensland’s Dunk Island and the Mission Beach, as well as a planned luxury island development in Italy’s Venetian Lagoon.

New GM for Spicers Peak Lodge

Spicers Retreats has announced the appointment of experienced hospitality management professional Martin Hamilton as general manager of Spicers Peak Lodge.

Hamilton has an impressive record of management in the luxury sector and comes to the role from the prestigious New Zealand property The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, where he was lodge manager for more than two-and-half years.