The Star Brisbane has announced the appointment of Sky Deck Executive Chef, Shayne Mansfield, who will oversee and direct the three venues soaring 100 metres above the Brisbane River: Cicada Blu, Babblers and Aloria.
The Michelin-Star trained Chef joins The Star Brisbane team after more than a decade-long culinary journey interstate and overseas, returning to his hometown to share his philosophy of sustainability, local sourcing and minimal waste across the three Sky Deck venues.
Shayne’s global travels deepened his culinary skills, leading him back to Australia in December 2015 to The Long Apron in Montville Queensland, with a strong focus on sustainability and whole animal butchery. In 2019, he launched The Flotilla in the New South Wales’ Hunter Valley, which earned a spot in Australia’s top 100 restaurants.
He later became Executive Chef at QT Newcastle overseeing five venues, before returning to Brisbane in recent months to be part of the country’s newest leisure and entertainment destination at The Star Brisbane.
Born and raised in Brisbane, Shayne trained under Philip Johnson at E’cco Bistro, sparking his passion for fine dining. He then ventured overseas, making his mark in London at the formidable Scott’s and Pollen Street Social, contributing to the launch of City Social, earning a Michelin Star within four months of opening.
His global travels deepened his culinary skills, leading him back to Australia in December 2015 to The Long Apron in Montville Queensland, with a strong focus on sustainability and whole animal butchery. In 2019, he launched The Flotilla in the New South Wales’ Hunter Valley, which earned a spot in Australia’s top 100 restaurants.
Shayne later became Executive Chef at QT Newcastle overseeing five venues, before returning to Brisbane in recent months to be part of the country’s newest leisure and entertainment destination at The Star.
"After spending so many years away from Brisbane, developing and refining my culinary skillset alongside some of the best Chefs in the world, I am so pleased to return home with my family and deliver three of The Star Brisbane’s most anticipated venues,” Shayne says.
Sky Deck, The Star Brisbane’s bustling sky-high playground, has launched the first two of its three venues, opening the ultimate day-to-night destination, Cicada Blu on August 29 and all-day dining experience, Babblers on September 13.
"It has been a privilege to be part of such a significant opening in Brisbane’s history,” Shayne says. "Each venue has been crafted with exceptional care and detail to offer unique and memorable experiences for everyone who visits or calls Brisbane home and I am incredibly excited to complete the Sky Deck offering with the opening of signature restaurant, Aloria, next month.
"With sustainability and minimal waste in the kitchen at the core of my culinary journey, these principles have been strongly considered across the menu design phase of all three Sky Deck Venues. Our smoked carrot tartare on Aloria’s menu involves smoking the body of the carrot to curate the tartare filling, followed by the sauce from the carrot skin and finally the green tops are then cooked to form a cracker to complete the dish. The whole dish is prepared without any food waste, and is something we are immensely proud of.”
Taking centre stage on Sky Deck, Cicada Blu (now open) is the captivating day-to-night destination that moves to the rhythm of the city, while on the eastern end, Babblers (now open) brings together thoughtful handcrafted food with brave flavours to deliver a bustling all-day dining experience.
The Star Brisbane’s much-anticipated signature restaurant Aloria (coming soon) is the hero of the Sky Deck trio; an elegant dining venue where Queensland’s leading land and sea produce are the stars of the show.
Aloria’s menu will showcase a range of locally sourced produce including Fraser Island spanner crab, finger lime and brown butter crumpet to Stockyard’s dry-aged beef Bistecca, complemented by a 12-page wine list, featuring hand-picked vintage selections from the most renowned wine producer in the world, Château Lafite Rothschild.
The Star Brisbane General Manager Food & Beverage, Dustin Osuch is thrilled to see the energy and vibrant atmosphere already igniting from Sky Deck:
"Sky Deck is certainly a standout feature within The Star Brisbane and broader Queen’s Wharf precinct and to see such a warm response from locals and visitors experiencing a new chapter for Brisbane so far shows the tremendous appeal for destinations that showcase our city in a new light,” Dustin says.
Joining the Sky Deck culinary team at the helm of the ‘cellar in the sky’ is Brisbane-born Damian Danaher, leading Aloria’s exceptional wine list as Head Sommelier. Damian joins from a decorated decade-long career in Sydney where he sourced some of the most unique vintages and whiskies from around the globe for the likes of Peter Gilmore’s Bennelong and steak house, The Gidley.
"Brisbane has grown into a city full of culinary curiosity, which is remarkable to see,” he says. "It’s a wonderful time to be at the forefront of one of the country’s most in-demand destinations and we cannot wait to welcome guests to Aloria.
"Our wine list has been carefully curated and finessed, with a mix of award-winning varietals to more fun, flirty and fascinating blends to broaden horizons.”
Open-air bar Cicada Blu is now open from 3 pm to late Wednesday through to Sunday, while Sky Deck’s relaxed all-day dining experience.
Babblers provides locals and visitors with an array of breakfast, lunch and dinner options from 7 am to late daily. The Star Brisbane’s signature restaurant, Aloria, will complete the Sky Deck offering in October, with the trio of venues set to become the perfect dining and entertainment destination.
