Peter Gilmore

Executive Chef, Bennelong and Quay

Peter Gilmore is the Executive Chef of Bennelong Restaurant and Bar and its sister restaurant, Quay, both iconic Sydney Harbour dining destinations. He reopened Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House in July 2015 with Fink Group, earning widespread acclaim and the title of ‘Best New Restaurant’ across Australia’s major restaurant awards.

Peter’s cuisine is inspired by nature. A passionate gardener, he champions heirloom vegetables and works closely with small producers to source exclusive, seasonal ingredients for both Quay and Bennelong Restaurant and Bar. His inventive, original dishes have won numerous national and international awards, and he has published three celebrated cookbooks: Quay: Food Inspired by Nature (2010), Organum (2014), and From The Earth (2018).

Peter remains a leading force in Australia’s food scene, celebrated for his creativity, sustainability focus, and mastery of modern Australian cuisine.

Rob Cockerill

Head Chef, Bennelong

Rob Cockerill leads the kitchen at Bennelong Restaurant and Bar, bringing a wealth of experience from seven years as Senior Sous Chef at Quay. There, he honed his skills under Peter Gilmore, forging deep connections with Australia’s finest farmers, fishermen, and producers.

At Bennelong, Rob champions the very best Australian ingredients, crafting dishes that celebrate their provenance in a setting that is uniquely Sydney. A respected voice in the industry, he also serves as a state judge for the Delicious Produce Awards, further cementing his reputation as a leader in contemporary Australian cuisine.

Josef Neumeier

Sydney General Manager

Josef Neumeier is the Sydney General Manager of the Fink group, overseeing Bennelong, Quay and OTTO Sydney.

Born in Munich to restauranteurs, Josef has a natural affinity for creating guest experiences. After studying Hospitality Management at Oxford and the Swiss Hotel Institute Montreux, Josef led food and beverage operations across Germany, the U.K., Switzerland, and South Africa, before relocating to Australia. In Sydney, Josef held managerial positions at some of Sydney’s most successful establishments, before joining Quay in late 2023 as General Manager.

In 2025, Josef was appointed Fink’s Sydney General Manager, where he leads the operations of Fink’s iconic waterside restaurants, Bennelong, Quay, and OTTO Sydney, ensuring excellence in dining experiences and maintaining their renowned reputations.

Daniel Unterrainer

Restaurant Manager, Bennelong

Daniel is Bennelong’s Restaurant Manager. Hailing from Bolzano in Northern Italy, Daniel brings a lifelong passion for hospitality and customer service to Bennelong. With experience in Michelin and Hatted restaurants across Europe and Australia, including Copenhagen’s Geranium, Italy’s St. Hubertus, and Melbourne’s Vue du Monde, Daniel joined the Bennelong team in June 2023, stepping into the role of Restaurant Manager in November. At Bennelong, Daniel thrives on connecting with guests, sharing the stories behind our unique dishes and native produce, and working under the sails of the iconic Opera House, which inspires him every day.

Steven Pietersma

Head Sommelier, Bennelong

Steven Pietersma sees wine as a way to tell a story, bring people together, and make every meal feel a little more memorable. Born in the Netherlands, he honed his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens including Bij Jef and Frouckje State, before moving to Sydney where he shaped the wine program at Quay Restaurant as Head Sommelier. Known for his thoughtful curation and genuine approach, Steven loves guiding his team and helping guests discover something new in every glass.

A certified Court of Master Sommeliers sommelier, he blends expertise with warmth and personality. Away from the restaurant, he can usually be found on the tennis court or golf course, cheering on his favourite sports teams, or exploring the world between Sydney, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Taka Shino

Bar Manager, Bennelong

Ten years and counting at Bennelong, and our Bar Manager Taka Shino hasn’t missed a beat. A classically trained pianist who swapped Chopin for shakers, Taka cut his teeth at Sydney institutions like Gilt Lounge by qt hotels and Eau-De-Vie bar before making Bennelong Bar his stage, with a drinks list as composed as it is creative. Born near Tokyo, Japan, Taka was drawn to the hospitality industry early on, with a passion for Japanese whisky and the cocktail classics; those that are in essence simple and elegant.