Restaurateur Luke Mangan expands empire despite chef shortage

Celebrity chef Luke Mangan is working hard to expand his hospitality empire whilst encouraging young people to become chefs.

Celebrity chef Luke Mangan is encouraging young people to join the hospitality industry. Source: Supplied

Since opening his first restaurant in Sydney almost two decades ago, Luke Mangan has built a hospitality empire across four countries, in the air, and at sea, and has no plans of slowing down.

“We’ve started Luke’s Kitchen in Waterloo on Danks Street. My goal is to roll that out, from a Luke’s Kitchen, to a Luke’s Steakhouse to a Luke’s Wine Bar,” explains Luke.

It comes as more consumers opt for the casual dining scene over degustation menus, driving many business owners to restructure their restaurants.

“The restaurant business is tough," says Luke.

"It’s not just about the food, but the flowers, the music, the lighting, the linen, the glassware, the whole package.

"It’s not just about the food, but the flowers, the music, the lighting, the linen, the glassware, the whole package".

“There are a lot of fantastic chefs and restaurants in this country so there’s a lot of competition, so you’ve got to know what you’re doing.”

Luke's restaurant Glass Brasserie is located in Sydney's Hilton Hotel Source: SBS

Australia’s restaurant industry has surged ahead in recent years, partly due to the rise in cooking shows and celebrity chefs. But our labour force isn’t keeping up. There’s been a steady fall in the number of chef apprenticeships, with more than half of those dropping out before they finish.

Now, Luke is among a number of top Australian chefs taking things into their own hands.

“We have to better sell the message that it’s a great industry to work in," explains Luke.

“We have to better sell the message that it’s a great industry to work in."

"I go to TAFEs and schools with great chefs and try to inspire the young kids at school.

“The other program we do is called Appetite for Excellence, and that’s about trying to keep kids in the industry who have already started.”

Luke employs more than 600 staff across his hospitality empire Source: SBS

It’s an important message for Luke personally. With more than 600 employees in his business, it’s vital to retain talent.

“They know they’ve got something to aspire to, they know how I work, I know how they work, so to me, it’s a good partnership.”

“You get to travel the world, do what you love and really, since the day I started I haven’t done a day’s work.”