Leading Australian restaurateur and chef, Luke Mangan, will be the culinary visionary heading head up Hilton Surfers Paradise’s signature restaurant, Salt grill, when stage two of the $700 million hotel opens in August 2011.

With a number of award-winning restaurants already to his name, including glass brasserie at Hilton Sydney, The Palace in South Melbourne and Salt grill Singapore, Luke Mangan has decided to make his first venture into Queensland with Salt grill at Hilton Surfers Paradise.

Clebrity Chef Luke Mangan’s signature restaurant, Salt gril, will open within the new Hilton Surfer’s Paradise in August adding his culinary vision to all event, conference and room service menus.

Mangan, who has written four best-selling cook books, an autobiography and has his own provisions range, will not only take the reins of the hotel’s restaurant, but will also be responsible for the entire food operation in the hotel. In an Australian first, guests will be able to experience his food in the restaurant, during conferences, meetings and events and when ordering room service.

Hilton Surfers Paradise general manager David Kelly said Luke had identified the potential for Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast as a venue for his latest venture.

“We are very privileged to be joined by such a renowned Australian chef as Luke Mangan, and it is a testament to the global Hilton brand that we will be welcoming him on board for our signature restaurant,”  Kelly said. “Luke will bring a whole new level of dining to the Gold Coast as the first celebrity chef to establish a restaurant on the coast.

“Guests at Hilton Surfers Paradise, as well as local restaurant goers, can be assured of a fantastic dining experience at Salt grill, with Luke drawing on his extensive Australian and international experience as he launches his eighth restaurant venture.”

General Manager of Hilton Surfers Paradise, David Kelly (right) and Luke Mangan.

While Mangan will be instrumental in the menus and philosophy behind Salt grill at Hilton Surfers Paradise, he will take on the role of restaurateur, assembling a skilled team of people to manage the day to day operations.

“I’m very excited about my second venture with Hilton and look forward to creating an ambient and relaxed space, where people can experience the finest and freshest Australian produce, served simply so the ingredients speak for themselves,” Mangan said.

“To be able to provide food services for the entire hotel including conferencing and room service – a first for Hilton in Australia – means everyone who visits Hilton Surfers Paradise will get to experience my food philosophy.”