Griffith Exies Club Brings International Flavour to Regional NSW

By recruiting internationally-trained chefs and building a vibrant, open-plan dining precinct, the Club is redefining what food can look like in a small country town — and locals are responding in droves.

Two years on from its major renovation, Griffith Exies Club is experiencing a culinary renaissance. 

A key part of this transformation is the Club’s bold decision to recruit chefs from overseas — each with a minimum of five years’ experience in Dubai, one of the globe’s most diverse and demanding food destinations.

The team now features chefs from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Estonia and other regions, all bringing their own traditions, techniques and creativity to the kitchen. 

These chefs not only execute a broad menu but also develop weekly specials that add fresh global influences to the Club’s dining experience.

Garry Tucker, the Club’s General Manager, says the move has helped solve long-standing regional recruitment challenges.

“It’s really hard to get qualified chefs to move to the country, so we’ve invested in bringing in people with international experience who are passionate about what they do,” he says.

The results speak for themselves. Following the renovations and the shift in culinary direction, food and beverage trade has quadrupled, with guests responding strongly to offerings such as premium steaks, Asian-style dishes and a recently introduced Japanese section that includes sushi.

“We wanted to offer the community something they hadn’t seen before in a Club — a menu that genuinely feels global,” says Garry. 

“Everyone who comes in is surprised by the quality and variety.”

The design of the new dining space plays a major role as well. Inspired by the Italian heritage woven into the Griffith community, the Club’s interior now feels like an open piazza, with sightlines across the venue and multiple zones that make dining relaxed and social.

“We’ve opened the whole area up so people feel like they can choose their own experience,” says Garry. 

“You can see every part of the Club as soon as you walk through the front doors, and it really changes the atmosphere.”

With more upgrades planned for the Sports Club site and a busy year of events ahead in the Riverina, Griffith Exies Club continues to build on a reputation for delivering something special. And they’ve proven regional towns can offer big-city flavour.