About Beach

Beach Byron Bay celebrates incredible local produce, cooked with imagination and passion, in one of the most spectacular beachfront locations on the East Coast of Australia.

With unparalleled waterfront views, Beach Byron Bay offers healthy, casual options via the Kiosk during the day, while the Restaurant offers a very special dining experience for waterside long lunches, sunset drinks, and dinner.

Meet the Beach Team

Beach Team

Beach Byron Bay is supported by a longstanding team of warm, knowledgeable, professional staff who are known for delivering personal and authentic dining experiences and events in Byron.

Beach Byron Bay is co-owned by Ben and Belinda Kirkwood together with Fink, a leading Australian restaurant group including Bennelong, Firedoor, OTTO Brisbane, OTTO Sydney, Gildas, and Quay.

BELINDA KIRKWOOD

DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

With nearly two decades of experience, Belinda’s reputation for creating unique weddings and events with style and innovation is well documented and trusted. Her clients, including Mercedes-Benz, Optus, Westpac, Canon, Volkswagen, Rio Tinto, and L’Oreal, speak of her consummate professionalism, personal attentiveness, and brilliant organisational skills.

BEN KIRKWOOD

DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

Ben’s commitment to hospitality has seen him take leadership roles across a number of campaigns for Tourism NSW, Northern Rivers Tourism, and Restaurant and Catering Association NSW. He is also active locally as a board member for both Byron United (Chamber of Commerce) and Byron Visitor Centre; as Chair of the Restaurant and Cafe sub-committee of Byron United; and Vice President of both the Local Tourism Organisation (Byron Shire) and the Artscape Biennial (outdoor sculpture exhibition).

Kitchen Team

KARL KANETANI, KATRINA KANETANI, CAUÃ MELO

The Beach kitchen is led by Karl and Katrina Kanetani, alongside Cauã Melo, with an emphasis on showcasing local, seasonal produce from the Northern Rivers region and surrounds.

A talented husband and wife team, and two of the region’s top local chefs, Karl and Katrina’s noteworthy resumes spans some of Sydney’s best restaurants – chef Karl at Quay, Est., and Tetsuya’s, and pastry chef Katrina at Pier where she was named Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide’s Chef of the Year 2006 – and to Town, their multi-award winning and Chef Hatted restaurant and café in Bangalow.

Cauã joined the Beach team from Brazil via Sydney, progressing quickly from Chef de Partie up to Senior Sous Chef. He continues to grow and work alongside Karl to lead our close-knit team.

LEO OFFREDI

RESTAURANT MANAGER

Leo Offredi is Beach Byron Bay’s Restaurant Manager. Originally from Nimes, France, Leo began studying business management in 2008 and has since worked in restaurants and hotels across Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Moving to Sydney in 2015, Leo worked in managerial positions across Sydney.

After over seven years in Sydney, Leo was looking for a change of scenery and found a new home in Byron Bay while holidaying in the area. He relocated in October 2022 to join the Beach team as Restaurant Manager, bringing his personability, warm service, and passion for food, wine, and people.

LUCAS CHICHE

BEVERAGE MANAGER

Lucas Chiche is the Beverage Manager of Beach Byron Bay. He began his hospitality career working in Nice, France, before travelling to Australia where he fell in love with the culture so much he decided to relocate to Byron Bay. Lucas loves how the Northern Rivers area heralds its local producers and unique native ingredients. Lucas joined the Beach Byron Bay team in 2020, quickly earning a promotion to Bar Manager and, in 2022, Beverage Manager. As Beverage Manager, Lucas oversees the wine selection and bar menu where he is the mastermind behind cocktails like his favourite the Native Gimlet, with local lemon myrtle and Byron Bay gin by Brookies, which showcase his talent and his continued affection for the Byron Bay area.