Vincent Martzloff takes operational leadership of ESCA Group
Vincent Martzloff has been appointed Group General Manager of ESCA Group, an Australian hospitality group specialising in premium dining and contemporary restaurant concepts.
He has held the position since April 2026, following an initial three-month assignment as Group Operations Manager – Premium.
Based in Sydney, he oversees operational performance, brand development, commercial results and the quality of the guest experience across the portfolio.
His stated remit covers approximately 350 employees.
His responsibilities encompass fine-dining restaurants, contemporary dining concepts, bars and more casual venues.
ESCA Group, an independent player in Australian hospitality
Based in Surry Hills, in metropolitan Sydney, ESCA Group is a privately owned restaurant group founded in 2021, according to its corporate profile.
Its development has been driven in particular by Ibby Moubadder, co-founder and Creative Director, and a strategy focused on creating venues with distinctive culinary and architectural identities.
The group favours differentiated concepts inspired by a range of international culinary traditions.
Its portfolio includes:
- AALIA, a Middle Eastern and North African restaurant at Martin Place, awarded two Chef Hats by the Good Food Guide;
- NOUR, a Surry Hills restaurant offering a contemporary interpretation of Lebanese cuisine;
- ITŌ, a restaurant combining Japanese and Italian influences;
- JŌJI, a rooftop bar and restaurant located above the Cartier building on George Street;
- BESA, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Bondi;
- Henrietta, a casual dining concept with locations in Surry Hills and Bondi Beach;
- AALIA Wine Room, a venue dedicated to wine and dining.
The group is also developing Amé, a Nikkei cuisine concept located on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst.
This diversity is one of the defining characteristics of ESCA’s business model: bringing together several commercial identities within a single organisation while preserving the individuality of each venue.
Leadership experience at Rockpool Bar & Grill
Before joining ESCA, Vincent Martzloff served as Brand General Manager at Hunter Street Hospitality from September 2022 to August 2025.
He oversaw the three Rockpool Bar & Grill restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
His remit covered approximately 300 employees, with responsibility for operational performance, brand positioning and service standards.
These restaurants are among the established names in Australia’s upscale dining market.
The role gave him experience leading a multi-site organisation built around a shared culinary identity and demanding service standards.
From Gambaro Group to Sofitel and Shangri-La
Vincent Martzloff’s career also includes several leadership positions in Australian hospitality.
Between November 2019 and July 2022, he was General Manager of Gambaro Group in Brisbane.
He oversaw several restaurants, an events centre and a 68-room five-star hotel, with approximately 150 employees.
Previously, he worked at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, notably as Food and Beverage Operations Manager, contributing to the management of seven outlets and a team of more than 130 people.
His Australian experience also includes positions with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and several restaurant establishments.
This career path has enabled him to develop expertise combining team leadership, financial management, guest experience and business development.
A French career foundation built in prestigious hospitality establishments
Originally from Versailles, Vincent Martzloff began his career in restaurant service and hospitality operations.
His professional background includes experience at La Tour d’Argent, Hôtel de Crillon and Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, as well as Trianon Palace in Versailles.
He also worked at The Savoy in London and with Bateaux Parisiens.
A graduate of FERRANDI Paris, he has a background in hotel and restaurant management.
These early experiences in prestigious establishments preceded his long-term move to Australia, where he progressively advanced into multi-property management roles.
LTH Analysis | Multi-concept restaurant groups are strengthening their corporate leadership structures
Vincent Martzloff’s appointment illustrates the increasing professionalisation of independent restaurant groups operating several concepts within a single corporate structure.
For ESCA Group, the challenge is to preserve each brand’s identity while sharing management expertise, operational standards and performance oversight across the portfolio.
This model requires leadership capable of addressing financial performance, human resources, service quality and brand development.
Vincent Martzloff’s experience in multi-site fine dining and international hospitality addresses this dual requirement for commercial differentiation and operational discipline.
For independent restaurant groups, strengthening management structures becomes a decisive factor as portfolios diversify and workforces grow to several hundred employees.
At a Glance
Executive: Vincent Martzloff.
Position: Group General Manager.
Company: ESCA Group.
Location: Sydney, Australia.
Effective date: April 2026.
Joined ESCA: January 2026.
Previous ESCA role: Group Operations Manager – Premium.
Team: Approximately 350 employees, according to his professional profile.
Group positioning: Independent, multi-concept hospitality and restaurant group.
Key venues: AALIA, NOUR, ITŌ, JŌJI, BESA and Henrietta.
Previous employer: Hunter St. Hospitality.
Previous responsibility: Brand General Manager, Rockpool Bar & Grill Australia.
Earlier experience: Gambaro Group, Sofitel, Shangri-La and luxury hospitality establishments in France and the UK.
Education: FERRANDI Paris.
LTH perspective: Strengthening operational leadership within a diversified premium restaurant portfolio.
