International Women's Day - Director Renee Mcconnell

“I’ve always thrived on being busy, meeting people and using my creativity”

Walking up and down Chapel St handing her resume into every single store, 14 year old Renee Mcconnell was hungry for an opportunity to be creative. Her passion for styling, merchandising and customer service eventually landed her to a job at the prestigious Harrods in London. “I still dream about Harrods till this day, and returning home with that on my resume was certainly a good thing. I never stopped working!”

After London, Renee worked in a series of jobs including a brief stint in the car industry. “I was working in a man’s world selling product that I didn’t believe in. So I went back to school and got my Diploma of Management at Swinburne. I do not consider myself a scholar so it was my work ethic that helped me the most"

Like many University students, Renee found Hospitality was the perfect direction as she could work multiple jobs at night and complete my course in one year. Taking a position as a waiter at a friends restaurant, Renee was able to combine that experience with her learnings from school. This is where her passion for the restaurant world made its beginnings.  

Fast forward to the year 2000, 27 year old Renee and her now husband Jason Mcconnell opened their first café, New York Tomato in Richmond. “It was in the back streets on the corner of New and York Street’s hence the name. This we began on our own off the smell of an oily rag! We literally could not be funded because NO ONE believed in us” 

Because of these beginnings Renee and Jason had to lodge above the café in a tiny space that also doubled as a storage cupboard. Sleeping amongst potatoes and beverages, Renee and Jason developed a following for their circumstances and dedication. “We’d always overhear our patrons saying that they couldn’t believe we lived in the storage cupboard!" 

Thankfully the reward was greater than the risk “It’s important to have strong foundations. You must to have the confidence and experience to keep going” 

In 2002, Renee and Jason began works on their first bar The Vic on Victoria St which they still own. It was at this time that their first son Hunter was born. After the success of The Vic, The Aviary Hotel also on Victoria St and Hoo Haa on Chapel St soon followed. “I was constantly working at Hoo Haa, it was one of my favourite builds. At the time we couldn’t afford an architect, so I was able to get creative and let loose. Hoo Haa eventually became an institution. It was the new school `dinner and dance’ club”

After a few years of the late night caper, Renee decided it was time for a break. “Off to Argentina we went!” Little did they know that they were about to start a journey bigger than just a flight to Buenos Aires!

“What was supposed to be a romantic getaway with the Hubby, turned into a lifelong passion and way of life for our family. We loved Argentina so much, it was the food, the culture and more than anything, it was a surprise! We had no idea how good Argentinian cuisine was and why we had nothing like it in Melbourne. We were so passionate about the idea for an Argentinian restaurant that we developed the business plan on the plane coming home” 

Not long after they returned, San Telmo (and their third son Finn) was born. Little did they know that this was the beginning of a big adventure. 

“Along with our business partners we returned to Argentina annually, one year deciding to include a trip to Peru. At this point San Telmo was still only an infant along with my humankind. I had no interest in opening another restaurant. However, my partners knew that Peruvian food needed a place in Melbourne’s food culture. I believe the words they said to me were `Well Ren, we are doing it so don’t miss the train’ and just like that I was in. I couldn’t miss that opportunity; Peruvian food is next level and something so new to Melbourne at the time.” 

Eventually San Telmo and Pastuso’s successes lead to two more Argentinian restaurants in Melbourne with Palermo opening at the end of 2017 and Asado on Southbank following in August of 2018. The San Telmo Group was born and had taken over Melbourne. “I truly believe our success in this area is because we dared to be different”

Outside of the San Telmo Group, Renee’s love for the industry didn’t stop growing with the purchase of a small restaurant and bar in McKinnon that eventually became Allora Cucina. An authentic Italian Cucina with a nod to all things Italiano. “Think Sophia Loren eating a bowl of spaghetti and riding a vintage Italian vespa!” 

“I consider myself to be incredibly lucky to have the people behind me that I do. It is because of them we have expanded our group. In my career I have forged relationships that have connected me with amazing talent, travel and life experiences. These amazing humans are my, husband, business partners, and work colleagues some of which have worked for us for over 15 years! It is because of these people that I have been able to be a Wife, a Mum, a boss and a friend. I love what I do!