Sunny Gilbert & Philipp Hockenberger
Hofbräuhaus
Sunny Gilbert — Executive Chef
Sunny Gilbert is the Executive Chef at Melbourne's iconic stalwart Hofbräuhaus. After working for a hospitality group known for its authentic German cuisine and spending some time overseas in Germany, Switzerland and Austria studying the finer details of their true authentic cuisine, Sunny teamed up with his expat friends to spearhead the Melbourne operations in Melbourne.
Previous to this, Sunny’s prosperous career also included a four-year stint as Head Chef at the popular Movida Next Door, where he proved to be a huge asset. Sunny firmly believes in creating opportunities for his colleagues, allowing his team to grow and prosper under his tutelage. He has also helped to bring to life multiple hospitality concepts during his time as a hospitality consultant, from casual diners to ambitious Michelin-star concepts overseas.
At the beginning of his culinary career, Sunny’s first mentor, a German expat in the NT, introduced him to the proper authentic German cookery and flavours. After completing his schooling, Sunny studied Commercial Cookery at Palmerston University in the Northern Territory for three years. Around this time, he held various additional roles, including consultancies for Australian Food Promotion at the Regal UN Plaza in New York and at the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, where he also held one-day workshops demonstrating Australian flavours to the region’s major Executive Chefs.
In 1998, Sunny Gilbert starred in three episodes as a Guest Chef on Channel Seven’s ‘Troy Dan Outback Adventures’, showcasing his passion for native cuisine.
In that same year, Sunny commenced his career in hotels, taking the Chef de Partie role at the Novotel Atrium, before relocating to Melbourne in 2000 to work as Executive Chef at the Mercure Hotel.
His dedication to the industry was evident, and in 1999, 2000, and 2001, Sunny was nominated for the Young Australian of the Year Career Achievement Award.
Following his award nomination, Sunny held managerial roles across numerous Melbourne venues including; Orange, Movida Next Door and Mount Erica Hotel.
Sunny particularly enjoys dining out in his vibrant home city of Melbourne. Some of his favourite restaurants are Gimlet, Movida, or a late-night snack at Bar Margaux with a great glass of wine. In his spare time, he enjoys watching his two sons, Bodhi and Austin, grow up. The latter just took his first steps in his Dad’s footsteps and started his apprenticeship at Reine and La Rue.
Philipp Hockenberger — Brand Manager and “Mr. Authenticity”
Philipp Hockenberger is the Brand Manager and “Mr. Authenticity” at Hofbräuhaus. Since 2018, he has infused the iconic Melbourne institution with the ‘Gemütlichkeit’ (good vibes).
Born and raised in Germany, Philipp brings his entrepreneurial spirit, love for German culture and infectious humour to his role. Funelling his creative energy into Hofbrauhaus, Philipp amplifies the German spirit through food, culture, and brand storytelling.
In 2012, while pursuing his Bachelor of Business degree abroad, Philipp embarked on his inaugural voyage to Melbourne. He experienced the city’s magnetic pull with its warm community, diverse offerings, and cultural offerings before returning to Regensburg to complete a Master's in Entrepreneurship and Brand Management.
After completing his studies and looking to put his degree into practice, an opportunity soon presented itself during a German Bier, no less, with a former boss turned friend, who persuaded Philipp to return to Melbourne to join The Hof Hospitality Group, the family-owned group with strong relationships to Bavaria and Austria.
Following visa approval in late 2017, Philipp arrived in Melbourne and began working as a Brand Manager. The role provided Philipp with the perfect exposure to hospitality marketing, from everything to understanding food costs, seating times, and hospitality laws. All proved to prepare Philipp for his next role as Brand Manager at Hofbrauhaus Melbourne, which he began in 2018.
As Hofbräuhaus continues to captivate diners with its immersive German experience, Philipp Hockenberger remains dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich culinary heritage of his native Germany. Not only is his role about authenticating German terms, pairing the right Bier with the right dish, electing the right live music brand, and ensuring the team has the correct German outfits, but it also involves intertwining all of these things, like the perfect textured German pretzel.
Drawing from his experiences and expertise, Hockenberger collaborates closely with Sunny Gilbert and Kristin Gonzales to shape Hofbräuhaus’ brand identity and menu offerings. With his unique blend of marketing acumen and hospitality expertise, he ensures that every visit to Hofbräuhaus is an unforgettable exploration of German cuisine and culture.
“There are two distinct personalities at Hofbräuhaus. There’s the high-quality, authentic German food, served in hearty portions that deliver value for money. Then there’s the ambience and experience, the vibe, or as we like to say: ‘it’s das wibe”.
Charismatic, energetic, and passionate about the hospitality industry, Philipp is keen to share his knowledge with the community about leadership, mentorship, and coaching in the industry.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
About Hofbräuhaus
18-28 Market Ln, Melbourne, VIC 300
Hofbräuhaus Melbourne has been an iconic institution in Melbourne's culinary landscape since 1968. It is famous for its authentic German cuisine, imported German premium Bier and live entertainment on the weekend. As the oldest Hofbrauhaus outside Germany, it's one of the only non-Asian eateries in the heart of Chinatown and showcases how diverse Melbourne City is.
Media image gallery link: via Google drive
Hofbräuhaus Team
- Executive Chef – Sunny Gilbert
- Brand Manager and “Mr. Authenticity” – Philipp Hockenberger
- Head Chef – Kristin Gonzales
Private Dining Spaces and Capacity
- The Bierhall:
- Semi-private areas available for 20-64 people
- The upstairs Bier Hall is an all-time favourite among patrons and anyone who’s shared in the Oktoberfest spirit. Featuring long, communal benches, it’s the ultimate destination for events that crave authentic Oktoberfest energy. This vibrant space comfortably seats 125 guests and boasts its very own bar. But that’s not all—a live band takes the stage every Friday and Saturday night, making it the closest thing to celebrating Oktoberfest without leaving town!
- Max Seated 125
- Max Cocktail 200
- Semi-private areas available for 20-64 people
- Restaurant:
- Step into the historic venue, where the oldest part of the restaurant offers a warm and authentic Bavarian experience. Live music and traditional decor create the ambience of a cozy German tavern, complete with vintage tables and Bavarian landmarks on our walls. Embrace the essence of “gemütlichkeit,” the German concept of warmth, coziness, and a sense of belonging.
- Max Seated 149,
- Max Cocktail 230
- Semi-private areas available for 20-58 people
- Table combinations available for up to 16 people
- Step into the historic venue, where the oldest part of the restaurant offers a warm and authentic Bavarian experience. Live music and traditional decor create the ambience of a cozy German tavern, complete with vintage tables and Bavarian landmarks on our walls. Embrace the essence of “gemütlichkeit,” the German concept of warmth, coziness, and a sense of belonging.
Website: www.hofbrauhaus.com.au
Instagram: @hofbrauhaus_melbourne
Facebook: @hbmelbourne
For media enquiry, please contact:
Jasmine Geraridis | | Reymond Communications
E jasmine@reymond.com.au | M +61 437 786 377
Renata Kopinski | Reymond Communications
E: Renata@reymond.com.au | M: +61 (0) 438 567 252
