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Crystalbrook Byron Welcomes New Executive Chef Jordan Staniford

  • Written by Pascale Rocher

Crystalbrook Byron continues its sustainable and ever-evolving culinary journey with two new chef appointments and exciting new menu developments. Jordan Staniford joins the resort as  Executive Chef and Clement Fouquere as Executive Sous Chef. 

A continuation of the resort’s commitment to offering locally sourced and sustainable dining, Staniford’s new menus will highlight seasonal produce, ranging from light bites including char-grilled local peppers,  guindilla chilli and whipped local macadamia, to more substantial dishes. 

“Our food is designed to be social and approachable, uncomplicated and super tasty using the absolute  best produce we can get our hands on,” says Jordan. “The flavours are fresh and playful – we try not to take  ourselves too seriously.” 

Standout dishes include the vegan oyster mushroom and white bean ceviche, char-grilled Yamba prawns  with karkalla and chilli and Bangalow Sweet Pork with West Australian truffle. For the sweet tooths, it’s  hard to pass on the local honey sponge served with yuzu curd, white chocolate honeycomb and a ginger tea  sorbet. There’s also no shortage of plant-based dishes allowing guests to eat consciously while savouring  the garden-fresh flavours. 

Jordan’s accomplished career spans Vietnam, the Mediterranean, Sydney, and recently, Byron Bay. Clement has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants across France and was awarded the distinguished pastry  internship at the world-renowned Clos des Sens restaurant. 

Open to both resort and outside guests, Crystalbrook Byron offers a choice of nature-focused areas to wine,  dine and delight. The main restaurant, Forest - named for the lush rainforest oasis that it overlooks - serves  breakfast, lunch and dinner alongside an international and local wine list featuring over 30 sustainable,  organic and biodynamic wines. 

The breezy, shaded Verandah bar provides the perfect place to decompress and relax, cocktail in hand. With views of the glittering infinity swimming pool and rainforest beyond, the Verandah offers laidback  dining and is a favourite hangout among locals. 

Forest opening hours: 

Breakfast: 07:30-10:30 

Lunch: 12:00pm to 3:00pm 

Dinner: 18:00-21:00 

The Verandah opening hours: 

3:00pm - 9:00pm 

About Forest, Byron Bay  

Set next to a lush rainforest oasis, Forest is passionately local with over 80% of ingredients coming from  within a three-hour drive of the restaurant. The utmost care for the surrounding landscape has been woven  throughout the menu, with only sustainably sourced seafood and free-range proteins used in the menu.  Guaranteeing transparency in regard to food sourcing, Forest’s wet and dry aged beef is farmed at  Crystalbrook Station. 

About Crystalbrook Byron  

Nestled in 45-acres of magical subtropical rainforest, Crystalbrook Byron is a celebration of nature,  responsible luxury and the local environment. Offering 92 guest suites, each with its own front and rear  Verandah, the Resort works with its surrounding landscape to offer guests an immersive experience in  nature. Featuring signature restaurant, Forest, Eléme Day Spa, daily yoga classes, tennis court and infinity  pool, Crystalbrook Byron is proud to offer sustainable luxury loved by locals and travellers alike. 

About Crystalbrook  

Crystalbrook is one of Australia’s leading sustainable 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, 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 Brisbane, Queensland – Joining the family 1 July 2021 

The Group also owns and operates a collection of ten restaurants, three spas, Crystalbrook Superyacht  Marina in Port Douglas along with Crystalbrook Station and its subsidiary pastoral businesses. 

Responsible Luxury 

Responsible Luxury and sustainability is 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 three million plastic  bottles from entering landfill) 

- Farming their own beef 

- Sourcing at least 80% of produce from within a three-hour drive of each hotel - 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 cornstarch and sugarcane 

Crystalbrook Collection and Ghassan Aboud Group 

Crystalbrook Collection is owned by accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud.  Ghassan Aboud Group is a multi-business conglomerate engaged in automobiles, real estate, retail,  bespoke catering, media and logistics. In business for more than two decades, the group operates from its  global headquarters in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Australia, Belgium, China, Jordan and  Turkey.



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