Leading culture change in the hospitality industry

When she was 25 years old, Christine opened her first restaurant, Diablos, in Auchenflower, Brisbane. It was a bold move and one that would not only prove successful, but also position her as a pioneer for women in the culinary industry. 

Since then, Christine has opened a further nine restaurants, worked as a teacher, authored three textbooks and a memoir, established herself as a renowned food critic, and created her own publishing house. 

She said her decisions in life have never been a response to the question of ‘why?’, but rather an exploration of ‘why not?’ 

These days, Christine identifies most strongly as a writer and publisher. She is based in Tasmania and regularly interviews celebrity chefs and professionals for her food industry website Just the Sizzle, while building what is perhaps her most important business venture to date, the publishing house Remember Press. 

Remember Press aims to simplify the process of book creation for individuals from all walks of life by offering an accessible system for capturing and preserving stories.  

‘It is about letting anyone write, publish and share their stories,’ Christine explained. ‘I am hopeful it will turn the publishing industry on its head’. 

Christine credits her collaborative, inclusive approach to business and life to her time at Girls Grammar. 

‘Brisbane Girls Grammar School was really the making of me,’ she said. 

‘I had an awful period in my life when my parents were going through a messy divorce, and I do not know where I would have ended up if I didn’t have Grammar. 

‘It was really a phenomenal education, and we didn’t have boundaries, we didn’t have traditional roles. We didn’t compete with the boys’ school for anything. We didn’t even compete with each other. We competed with ourselves, and that’s something I continue to do.’  'BGGS gave me the courage and confidence to succeed at anything in life. At Grammar, we don’t get shaped,  we're allowed to blossom, to believe, in ourselves. I thank you every day.'

Christine has had countless career highlights, but regards her proudest achievement as the influence she has had on her team, and particularly her young apprentices over the years. 

‘To see them grow, prosper and succeed has been an absolute privilege,’ she said.