(LOS ANGELES, CA; September 17, 2012) – Renowned Australian chef and restaurateur Dietmar Sawyere has been named Chef and Director of Restaurants at Hayman, Australia’s most awarded private island destination in the Great Barrier Reef.

Swiss-born, Dietmar is recognized in Australia and internationally as one of the finest exponents of the ultimate culinary experience achieving benchmark levels of service and dining at the many award-winning establishments with which he has been associated.

His long list of professional accolades includes being named Chef of the Year by the London Culinary Academy, being named Chef of the Year twice by the New Zealand Chefs Association,  as well as garnering a host of restaurant awards before arriving in Australia in 1988.

Dietmar has been a driving force in the evolution of Australian restaurants having created and run Le Restaurant at The Regent Melbourne, Gekko at Park Lane, Sydney and the legendary Forty One Restaurant, Sydney which won more than 45 best restaurant and wine list awards as well as holding 3 Chef’s Hats in The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide for many years and winning Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Of The Year.

He re-opened Berowra Waters Inn, Sydney re-establishing this iconic eatery as one of Australia’s top dining venues which was named Restaurant Of The Year in Time Out in 2011.

Dietmar designed and opened Brasserie Cassis and Ad Lib Bistros in Sydney, which became the standard bearers for French bistros while also running restaurants in New Zealand and Singapore.

Overseeing a brigade of 150 food and beverage professionals on Hayman, Dietmar is committed to delivering Australia’s top resort food and beverage offering, “building upon Hayman’s long-standing reputation for quality food and wine in a beautiful setting”.

“Fontaine should be recognized as one of Australia’s finest restaurants celebrating the best food and wine while Oriental, La Trattoria and Azure should be known in their own right for an individual and personalized style of dining and service,” he said.

“We will also further develop the resort’s philosophy of taking dining outdoors – to special locations in the rainforest, on the beach and into numerous other stunning island settings – and out into the reef.”

“As an island destination, we have lots of opportunities to create amazing memories for guests which is an exciting prospect for me working closely with a great team.”

Hayman Managing Director, Lloyd Donaldson said Dietmar’s appointment would signal “a new and exciting phase for our island to evolve into a true culinary destination”.

“Dietmar brings to Hayman a wealth of experience, creativity and innovation which has contributed to the incredible success he has enjoyed at the restaurants and hotels at which he has been associated both in Australia and overseas,” Mr. Donaldson said.

“Hayman will present Dietmar with many opportunities to showcase his unique and individual style of cooking and service across our restaurants and to guests wishing to dine in the countless outdoor island and reef locations which provide perfect settings for anything from a gourmet picnic to a candlelit dinner under the stars.”

Hayman is owned and operated by Mulpha Australia Limited and is a member of the prestigious organization, The Leading Hotels of the World.

For bookings and further information, contact Hayman Reservations at + 61 7 4040 1838 1800 075 175 (Toll Free in Australia), or email [email protected].

About Hayman
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Hayman is Australia’s premier luxury nature-resort destination, located on the northernmost of the Whitsunday Islands in the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland.  Hayman, which covers 726 acres, offers guests an unparalleled experience of tranquility and natural beauty in the resort’s 210 stylish accommodations situated within separate locations throughout the property, including the stunning new residences—all with access to the turquoise waters and access to the Reef.  The resort—and the island on which it is located—are named in honor of Thomas Hayman, the sea navigator who chartered the island’s waters and has been an oasis for guests since the 1950s.  In 2004, Mulpha Australia Limited acquired ownership of this unique destination and has enhanced the offerings available at the modern tranquil hideaway.  With four restaurants, Hayman Spa and fitness facilities, picturesque meeting and special event areas, and 24-hour butler and concierge service, leisure and luxury are offered in many forms throughout the island. Visit www.hayman.com.au.