Crystalbrook Kingsley has appointed hatted chef Joey Ingram as Executive Chef, ushering in a new era for Newcastle's leading luxury hotel and its dining portfolio, including rooftop restaurant Roundhouse, Romberg's and Ms Mary.

With more than 24 years in some of Australia's most respected kitchens, from Tetsuya's to leading the hatted Margan Restaurant in the Hunter Valley, Ingram brings a refined, produce-driven approach shaped by both metropolitan discipline and deep regional roots.

Now stepping into Crystalbrook Kingsley, Ingram is focused on shaping a dining experience that feels both elevated and distinctly connected to place.

Of his new role, Ingram said, “For me, it always starts with the produce: what's in season, what's local, and how we can let those ingredients really shine. I've always believed that food should feel generous and full of life, layered flavours, beautiful to look at, but ultimately something people feel comfortable and excited to eat.”

He continues, “Crystalbrook Kingsley already has such a strong identity. It's design-led, culturally connected and proudly local. That really resonated with me. It felt like the right place to bring everything I've learnt across my career and shape something that reflects Newcastle and the wider Hunter region in a fresh way.”

At Roundhouse, Ingram is placing a greater emphasis on coastal Australian dining, drawing on the region's proximity to both land and sea, and its access to exceptional produce.

From snapper caught off Newcastle heads to olive oil sourced just 70km away from Pukara Estate, the menu reflects his “if it grows together, it shows together” philosophy, pairing ingredients at their seasonal peak and celebrating the simplicity of doing so well.

That approach comes to life across new dishes such as:

• An open lasagne of tiger prawns and scallop layered with shellfish bisque
• Goldband snapper with smoked mussel butter and coastal greens
• A fricassee of locally cultivated mushrooms with buckwheat and cavolo nero

To coincide with Ingram's appointment, Roundhouse has also transitioned to an à la carte menu, allowing guests to shape their own dining experience while exploring the breadth of his new dishes.

Beyond Roundhouse, Ingram will oversee the culinary direction across all of Crystalbrook Kingsley's venues, including Romberg's and Ms Mary, ensuring a cohesive, produce-led approach across the hotel's entire offering.

His arrival coincided with a key moment for the city, as Newcastle Food Month shone a spotlight on the region's culinary talent over the past month. Ingram led a series of collaborations at Crystalbrook Kingsley, including events with two-hatted chefs from EXP. and Muse, partnerships with leading Hunter Valley producers, and appearances from MasterChef alumni - positioning the hotel as a central hub of the month-long program

The appointment also sees the addition of Josh Gregory, former owner of Thermidor Restaurant, who joins as Head Chef. Together, the pair bring a strong mix of local knowledge and culinary experience, further strengthening the hotel's kitchen leadership.

With a career spanning Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris, Sydney's top dining rooms and four consecutive years retaining a Chef's Hat in the Hunter Valley, Ingram's move signals a continued elevation of Newcastle's dining scene and a renewed focus on Crystalbrook Kingsley as one of its defining culinary destinations.

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For further information or to request an interview, please contact:

Hailee Amalfi

We Are Different

hailee.a@wearedifferentpr.com.au

0435 864 722

About Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts

Crystalbrook is one of Australia's leading sustainably considered and innovative independent hospitality companies. Each hotel in the portfolio carries an authentic expression of its location, a passion for responsible luxury, considered design and a twinkle of fun for a uniquely enriching experience.

Crystalbrook's portfolio includes:

• Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Albion, Sydney, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Bailey, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Flynn, Cairns, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle, New South Wales
• Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane, Queensland
• Crystalbrook Sam, Adelaide, South Australia (opening 2026)
• Crystalbrook Aurora, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (opening 2027)
• Affiliate hotel: Sydney Harbour Hotel, Sydney, New South Wales

The Group also owns and operates a collection of sixteen restaurants and bars, three Eleme Day spas, and Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas.

Responsible Luxury

Responsible Luxury and sustainability are at the forefront of the way Crystalbrook thinks and operates. At a glance:

Operating a single use plastic free environment. No plastic straws, water bottles or single use bathroom amenity bottles (in the past two years the Group has saved over four million plastic bottles from entering landfill)

Use of technology, such as in-room iPads and mobile check-in to create paperless environments and experiences

Use of recycled and upcycled materials. Examples include key cards made from recycled wood, coat hangers made from recycled paper and toothbrushes made from sugarcane and corn starch.

Working towards a target of sourcing 80% of fresh produce from within a three-hour drive of each hotel

Crystalbrook Collection and Ghassan Aboud Holding

Crystalbrook Collection is the luxury hospitality arm of Ghassan Aboud Holding. Founded in 1994 by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud, Ghassan Aboud Holding is a diversified global conglomerate with a strong presence across key sectors including Automotive, Retail, FMCG, Hospitality, Logistics, Healthcare, Facilities Management, Catering, and Digital Marketplaces. Guided by its mission of “Building a better future, together” the group has, for over three decades, remained committed to innovation, excellence, and creating value-driven experiences for customers and partners. Headquartered in the UAE, with offices in Australia and Belgium, Ghassan Aboud Holding is well-positioned to serve diverse markets with agility and impact.