{"id":60689,"date":"2026-07-29T06:19:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T06:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/60689\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T06:19:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T06:19:09","slug":"andrew-mcconnell-set-to-take-over-operation-of-melbournes-stokehouse-hospitality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/60689\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew McConnell set to take over operation of Melbourne’s Stokehouse – hospitality"},"content":{"rendered":"

The owners of\u00a0Stokehouse\u00a0in Melbourne\u00a0will hand over the reins of the St Kilda dining room to McAndrew McConnell and Jo McGann.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The current operators \u2013 Frank, Sharon, and Hugh van Haandel \u2013 have run the venue for 36 years, and describe McConnell and McGann as their restaurant peers and long-time friends.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

McConnell, the chef behind Gimlet, says he and McGann feel incredibly\u00a0privileged to become the next custodians of\u00a0Stokehouse.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s played such a pivotal role in shaping the city\u2019s hospitality landscape,\u201d says McConnell.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIts reputation for exceptional food, warm service, and memorable experiences in Melbourne\u2019s best restaurant location has earned it a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. There is nowhere else like\u00a0Stokehouse.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The pair will take the helm of the St Kilda venue in October, working alongside the existing\u00a0Stokehouse\u00a0team to ensure a seamless transition through the busy summer period. They plan to make a \u201ccarefully considered\u201d refresh of the restaurants in 2027.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

McConnell\u00a0has worked alongside Frank and Sharon during his career, sharing many of the same values around hospitality,\u00a0people, and long-term stewardship. He credits the prolonged success of the\u00a0venue\u00a0to the\u00a0existing leadership team of Hugh van Haandel, Executive Chef Jason Staudt, General Manager Lee Smith, and Head Sommelier Will Martin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur intention is not to change what makes\u00a0Stokehouse\u00a0special,\u201d he says. \u201cWe have enormous respect for its history and for the team that has helped shape it. We\u2019re inheriting strong foundations, and we\u2019re committed to investing in its future while preserving the qualities and the people that have made it so well loved.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Frank\u00a0van Haandel says St Kilda beach is one of Melbourne\u2019s greatest assets and going to the beach each day for the past 36 years has been a gift.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOver this time we\u2019ve formed lifelong friendships with staff, customers, and suppliers, and I\u2019ve taken tremendous pride in watching talented young people develop and go on to thrive in their own ventures,\u201d he says.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve built a venue that is truly cross-generational. Everyone has a story at\u00a0Stokehouse.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the venue was destroyed by a fire in\u00a02014,\u00a0van Haandel says they rebuilt with a commitment to championing sustainability throughout\u00a0the design and construction, through to the day-to-day operations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe created a five-star green-rated building that is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It\u2019s architecturally and aesthetically striking, and it\u2019s a building that will stand for 100 years, a legacy I am proud of,\u201d he says.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the current team, the\u00a0Stokehouse\u00a0is the best it\u2019s ever been. It\u2019s the quintessential Australian seaside restaurant, and I couldn\u2019t hand it to better people than Andrew and Jo.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

For exclusive hospitality news every Tuesday and Thursday, subscribe here<\/a>\u00a0or follow us on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n