Bayleaf Catering team is a dynamic and colourful team that covers a wide network of skills and specialties (if we do say so ourselves.) The team consists of chefs & kitchen crew, waiters, servers, bartenders, baristas and the administration & production teams. The following are the bios of some of the crew. If you are interested in a career with Bayleaf (click here)
CHRIS STUBBS
Director
Chris developed Bayleaf Catering in early 2002. Bayleaf’s aim is to provide home-style catering services to our growing corporate portfolio as well as our unique backstage catering and experienced artist care services throughout Australia.
Chris has extensive touring experience and has provided catering services nationally for artists such as Barbara Streisand, Pearl Jam, The Eagles, AC/DC, Billy Joel, Elton John, Ricky Martin, Cold Chisel, U2, Michael Jackson, Parklife, Big Day Out & Good Vibrations.
During the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Chris was appointed the Operations & Catering Logistics Manager for American Broadcaster, NBC. This involved providing food and beverage services at fourteen Olympic sites, feeding three well balanced meals a day to 2500 people with all preparation from mobile compounds involving a mobile container kitchen and several marquee structures.
Chris has played a Senior Management role in several events such as the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, the Extreme Games in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2001 and 2002) and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas.
With Chris at the helm, Bayleaf has developed a reputation for fine food at major events such as charity dinners The Steve Waugh Gala Dinner 1000 guests, February 2007 & March 2009, CANTEEN Colour My Life Three Course Dinner 700 guests, March 2005, 2006 & 2007) high profile media events (The opening of Sydney’s Nuclear Reactor at Lukas Heights in the presence of Mr. John Howard, Prime Minister - 600 guests, April 2007, The Roosters “100 years of football” gala three course dinner celebration 1000 guests, March 2007, The Golden Stave Luncheon 1,000 guests, June 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 and large corporate events include Westpac Christmas celebration party for 800, December 2009, Woolworths Conference, 5000 dinner, August 2007 & Woolworths Conference, 8500 dinner, August 2009 hosted by Eagle Farm racecourse, Cure For Life Foundation dinner, 1000 guests, May 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 with Dr Charlie Teo
BRIDGET SEAMAN
General Manager
General Manager Bridget Seaman has over 20 years of experience within Sydney’s finest venues, fine dining restaurants, 5 star hotels and cruise operations. Bridget oversees on a daily basis the operations of Bayleaf Services, Star Grazers Catering, MONDO Bartenders and venues.
Bridget has a true love of large scale events, food and the industry in general. She supports the catering network and encourages people to always grow and make hospitality a career. She believes it is her teams focus on sales and willingness to grow the Bayleaf Group of Companies with creativity and new trends, that keeps the business in the lime light.
JUSTIN BULL
Head Chef / Kitchen Manager
Justin fell in love with food at the tender age of 15 helping out at the family invested Italian restaurant at the foot of the gorgeous Blue Mountains. Justin went on to complete his apprenticeship through various hotels, restaurants & catering companies. It was when Justin was running a very successful café in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra that he was poached by Gretel Packer and wound up in the world of private cheffing – Justin would work for the family for the following two years at their private residence. Justin moved on to join Bayleaf catering in its very early stage when we were based at Five Dock, learning the ropes of corporate & backstage catering at it’s core….
He then got offered an opportunity that could not be ignored, to work as private chef/assistant for Russell Crowe. Justin spent the next four years traveling the globe cooking & catering for Mr. Crowe & family, feeding mouths such as Jodie Foster, Sir Ridley Scott, Christian Bale, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Spacey, Sting and Elvis Costello to name a few.
Justin returns to Bayleaf as our Head Chef/Kitchen Manager with a wealth of knowledge and a drive to succeed! Lookout Sydney I want to feed you... CRASH!
HUGH GILLARD
Sous Chef
A dedicated kitchen manager, with strong leadership skills and focus on food costs. Hugh has a long standing relationship with suppliers in Sydney and purchases the best local produce he can find. A true “market” shopper, you will always find Hugh at the source, talking face to face with suppliers at markets, even on deck of our Fish Monger’s boats to check the catch of the day.
Hugh stepped on board with the Bayleaf Group of Companies from a long stint at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. Previous to this Hugh built on his skills at the Australian Jockey Club, Summit Restaurant and the Centennial Hotel in Woollahra. Hugh has a good head for café/restaurant kitchen operations and menu planning. He is the backbone of our commercial kitchen here in Alexandria, and an outstanding trainer of our food-loving chefs.
CAROLYN ROSE
Business Development Manager
After several years working and living luxury products – notably Mercedes Benz and the international six star cruise line, Crystal Cruises – Carolyn joined Bayleaf to add an even more polished approach to developing our corporate sales and service. Carolyn brings with her skills gained from managing the onboard Client Loyalty and Events Programme for Crystal Cruises, along with experience acquired from many years of business, in the leisure and events industries. Returning to Australia, Carolyn found her Sydney sea legs on Starship Sydney and The Pontoon, as their corporate sales manager, where she built up a loyal database of clients and friends. Carolyn is a true foodie who will delight in tailoring an event to meet your needs perfectly!
AMY MANGELSDORF
Business Development Manager (Backstage Division - Star Grazers Catering)
Amy has worked in the hospitality industry for 8 years. Ranging from waitressing in restaurants, bartending and supervising coffee shops to being a receptionist at a law firm in Sydney’s CBD, Amy has truly been able to see most sides of the hospitality industry and loves every aspect of it.
Amy travelled to Europe and ended up working as a stewardess for 7 months on a 40 m super yacht travelling the Mediterranean. Realising how much she loved the hospitality industry, Amy came back to Australia and started working for Bayleaf catering and just can’t get enough of it.
SALLI ODLING
Business Development Manager (Beverage Division - MONDO Bartenders)
Salli fronts up our beverage solution team and brings a world of knowledge to create unique & dynamic events across Australia. With extensive beverage knowledge and over 10 years of experience in the events & entertainment industry across the globe, Salli has got it covered. As the creator and music director of Cellar Door Sessions in some of Sydney’s most prestigious bars in Sydney’s CBD and Eastern suburbs, Salli has worked with some of the finest hospitality staff, as well as well-known Australian artists and musicians.
ANNA SMITH
Creative Director
Anna is a Sydney-based designer and graphic artist. She has forged a reputation for vibrant designs through her work on major beverage projects and events across Australia.
Anna recently launched her first published work of photography, “Café Republic of Australia – Sights, Stories & Flavours of Café Culture”. The book is a snapshot of Australian café life and has made waves in the latte froth of many caffeine-driven fiends across the country.
Anna has painted the drinks industry in new colours as Creative Manager for independent publisher, Drink Australia, working on projects for beverage brands spanning café and juice providers, boutique beers, Aussie wines, to spirits and liqueurs. Anna had also directed the concept and graphic styling of many mobile bars at exclusive events across Australia, raising the bar for the beverage catering industry.
PAUL STEELE
Financial Controller
Paul has over 30 years of experience, as an independent business consultant undertaking various assignments in business management and restructuring, accounting systems and department restructuring, business financing, international finance and leveraged investment programs and structured project funding. His clients have included BHP Newcastle, Sydney Water, EPA NSW, ACTU Water Division, WA Mines (Analytical Laboratory Division) and various private companies.
He has also worked in a range of chartered accounting practices in business services and audit. Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from University of New South Wales and is a past Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and past Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia.
TREVOR SKELTON
Producton / Logistics
Trevor has over 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry. After starting out at various restaurants and bars including The Summit and the Park Hyatt’s No.7 at the Park, Trevor moved to Canada for a 10 year stint.
Working with clothing and costume designers for both ‘Ready to Wear’ and the film industry, Trevor found himself missing hospitality. So he joined the team at The Fish House in Stanley Park, Vancouver, and ended up staying for 6 years.
Heading home to ‘OZ’, Trevor went straight into events working with Stedmans Hospitality. This was a fantastic opportunity to work private houses, cocktail parties to supervising large scale events. The largest being 5000 guest for Woolworths. Trevor moved on from Stedmans to pursue a more refined role in the industry with Bayleaf Catering.
STEFANY MACHAIN
Production / Logisitcs
Stefany joined the Bayleaf Group fo Companies over three years ago after a long stint at the famous eatery, Liquidity in Rozelle where she ran the floor operations and was responsible for the smooth and efficient running of the restaurant.
With Bayleaf, Stefany has been involved in all the big events and particualry enjoys the backstage catering for festicals from Soundwave to Big Day Out. More recently providing artist care for Kylie Minogue in Perth and back home with 50 Cent, Rise Against, The Hives & Katy Perry.
ELIZABETH LUMLEY
Human Resource Manager
Elizabeth is Human Resources Manger and takes care of all daily HR matters from current awards changes, personnel recruitment, staff inductions and contracts. Elizabeth has spent the past 7 years working as a Speech Pathologist within the NSW Health service. She also has a degree in Psychology from Macquarie University. Not only does Elizabeth bring to us a wealth of experience she is another team member with a passion for food and cooking.
