OUR TEAM

We are building our Lúc Lắc family! From front-of-house to back-of-house, and all things in between - We have opportunities available to join our journey. Share your interest today through the recruitment link below.

Luc Lac is led by an expert team of industry professionals, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Find out about the team below.

MEET OUR TEAM

Jake Nicolson | Ghanem Group Executive Chef

Acclaimed Executive Chef Jake Nicolson brings a wealth of experience to Ghanem Group's portfolio of award winning hospitality venues. Jake’s wealth of well-travelled culinary experience plays a major role in Luc Lac’s kitchen operation. He embarked on a research and development trip to South East Asia alongside Ghanem Group managing directors, Adonis & Nehme Ghanem, and has lovingly developed a menu for Lúc Lắc that both educates and excites.

  • Ghanem Group Executive Chef Jake Nicolson began his cooking career at the Lake House in Daylesford, Victoria under the guidance of respected chef and owner Alla Wolf Tasker. In 2004 he was the winner of the Borges/Ferran Adria culinary Scholarship and in the following year in 2005 he was also selected to represent Australia at the International Food & Wine Festival in Dubai. Going from strength-to-strength Jake was named Appetite for Excellence Young Chef of the Year in 2008, which saw him travel to Venice where he competed in the prestigious international San Pellegrino Cooking cup in which he placed third. Finally, prior to joining Ghanem Group, Jake worked at Circa the Prince in Melbourne for seven years, taking over as Head Chef in 2010. The restaurant earned two Hats from The Age Good Food Guide 2012. Jake’s work experience also includes a stint at the famous El Bulli in Spain and previous to that in London at The Vineyard, The Square and The Ledbury.

    Since joining Ghanem Group as Executive Chef in 2013, Jake's portfolio has continued to grow, alongside the group’s expansion. During his time at the culinary helm, Ghanem Group has opened Blackbird Bar, Dining and Events, Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room, Bisou Bisou and Iris Rooftop in Brisbane, as well as Le Bon Ton in Melbourne. He also oversees Byblos Bar & Restaurant in both cities.

    Outside of his kitchen, Jake is a member of the Queensland State Judging Panel for the Delicious Produce Awards, he’s an ambassador Ora King Salmon, and hospitality clothing brand Chef Works, and is a member of the Royal National Agricultural beef judging panel.

Aaron Clark | Ghanem Group Beverage Director

Aaron Clark's journey with Ghanem Group began in 2009 as Bar Manager of Byblos Bar & Restaurant. Over the years, his wealth of expertise has secured endless beverage programs awards for each of Ghanem Group's venue openings to follow. including Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events, Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room, Iris Rooftop, Bisou Bisou. Ahead of the opening of Lúc Lắc, Aaron was part of a reconnaissance team taken to Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore for a gastronomic field trip, by Ghanem Group Directors. Now fuelled with inspiration, he has created a beverage list of “higher concept” that draw on the unique Asian flavours, inspired by local rituals. Aaron describes Lúc Lắc's beverage program as bold and diverse.

  • Before Aaron Clark’s long history with Brisbane-based Ghanem Group, he was living a successful bar tending life in London, where he was in the London Bartender of the Year Top 10 for three consecutive years whilst working at Lonsdale in Notting Hill and Milk and Honey in Soho. He was also part of the Restaurant & Bar team of the Year 2008 while at the flagship Gaucho restaurant at Piccadilly Circus. During this time, Aaron also worked at a number of exclusive locations, including private members bar Soho House in London’s Notting Hill, The Grammys in New York and Cannes Film festival.

    The highly awarded beverage professional returned to his hometown of Brisbane in 2009 to become Bar Manager at Ghanem Group’s flagship Byblos Bar & Restaurant. He earned his Byblos stripes before leaving to pursue his dream of opening his own restaurant and bar, in Fortitude Valley. In 2014 he returned to the fold to be part of the launch team of the acclaimed Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events.

    An 18-month stint as a Trainer at Bacardi Martini followed, before returning to Ghanem Group where he has been part of the group’s steady and successful expansion, developing beverage programs and building skilled bar teams for the launch of Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room, Iris Rooftop, and Lúc Lắc at The Star Brisbane. 

    “The thing I love about Ghanem Group is that every venue is different and with every new launch we raise the bar within our own group, but also within the Brisbane hospitality industry,” Aaron says.

    “I like that every day is different with such a diverse group, and I love coaching and training team members, which will always be a highlight of my role.”