icc sydney team

Lynell Peck

DIRECTOR OF CULINARY SERVICES

A senior practitioner with more than 30 years in hospitality and event management at leading five star venues, Lynell joins ICC Sydney following a stellar four years as Executive General Manager for Hospitality, Events and Operations at the Australian Turf Club. Lynell spent 17 years of career with Australian Jockey Club Ltd across a variety of food and beverage roles that culminated with Executive Director for Hospitality and Events.

Lynell’s Sydney expertise will provide memorable and creative culinary experiences to our clients, featuring the very best in locally sourced, seasonal produce. One of her first goals at ICC Sydney is to grow a dedicated team that will focus on earnest collaboration with both our clients, suppliers and farmers.

The exceptional service and commitment displayed by Lynell and her teams throughout her career has been recognised by numerous industry awards and accolades including; Restaurant and Catering’s 2014 ‘Function / Convention Centre Caterer of the Year Award' and 2013 ‘Meetings & Events Industry Award’ for the ‘NSW 500+ delegates’ category.

Tony Panetta

Executive Chef

A senior practitioner with more than 20 years of industry experience at leading Australian venues, Tony Panetta joined ICC Sydney as Executive Chef in 2015.

Tony has always had a passion for his craft, beginning his culinary journey at just eight years old in his parents’ Italian café, where he helped his mother cook food inspired by their Calabrese heritage. He worked his way through various hospitality roles, including notable venues such as the renowned Aitken Hill Conference and Events Centre and The Yacht Club Hotel before a five year period at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

Under Tony’s leadership, his team won several industry awards for their food offering and were responsible for the culinary services planning and execution of some of the largest conferences ever held in Australia.

Adding to his luminous career, Tony worked as part of the pre-opening team at ICC Sydney being given the opportunity to build his own team from the ground up as well as create a brand new menu of quintessential Sydney cuisine by sourcing local fresh, seasonal produce across regional NSW. Producing innovative culinary solutions using local produce has always been his life-long passion.

Today, Tony leads a team of 40 full time and more than 50 part-time team members who are setting new culinary standards with their Feeding Your Performance philosophy of ‘local, seasonal and fresh’. The team focuses on creating ‘smart food’ by exploring the science behind ingredients and the nutritional qualities that drive physical and mental performance.

To get a taste for ICC Sydney’s philosophy, take a look at the culinary delights sure to feed your performance on Instagram.

William Wilson

Beverage Operations and Cellar Manager

With almost 30 years’ experience, William brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as Beverage Operations and Cellar Manager, having worked at top calibre venues across the USA, UK and Australia, including the former Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

William’s numerous accolades for excellence in his field and extensive large-scale event experience positions him perfectly amongst an esteemed culinary leadership team, who will cater to a year round calendar of exhibitions, conventions and entertainment events.

A creative and innovative professional, William’s exceptional knowledge and expertise with local produce is the perfect accompaniment to ICC Sydney’s world class culinary experience. His commitment to his craft and love affair with homegrown produce will pay homage to boutique wineries, small-batch distilleries and award-winning Sydney-based breweries, not to mention healthy house made beverages, including spa waters and variety of infused teas.

William is an avid contributor to the industry as NSW Chapter Secretary of the Wine Communicators of Australia, a founding member of the Craft Beer Industry Association, head steward at the Sydney Royal Beer and Cider Show, a member of Sommeliers Australia and steward at the Sydney Royal Wine Show.