Paul Bongiovanni - Executive Chef

Born in New Zealand, Paul made his way to Australia in 2009, joining the team at the acclaimed three-hatted Jacques Reymond Restaurant in Prahran, Melbourne.

Three years later, he set off overseas, honing his craft in Michelin-starred kitchens across London and Europe. When he returned to Australia in 2014, Paul reunited with the Reymond family — working across their venues, Bistro Gitan in South Yarra, and helping open L'Hôtel Gitan in Prahran.

Starting a family prompted a shift away from traditional restaurant kitchens. Paul joined The Mulberry Group as Head Chef of its ambitious new café concept, Higher Ground, in Melbourne's CBD — a venture that would go on to be named Café of the Year and collect numerous industry awards during his tenure.

In August 2020, Paul and his family made their own sea change, relocating to the Bellarine Peninsula where he joined Sea Change Hospitality Group, and has since played an integral role in shaping the culinary offerings across both The Dunes and At The Heads — where he now serves as Executive Chef.

Paul's cooking draws on his experience in some of Australia and Europe's most respected kitchens: a focus on quality produce, thoughtful technique, and food designed to bring people together.

Jak Evans - Managing Director

Jak is proof that At The Heads has never really needed to look outside for talent.

He started at the venue as a dishy at 16 — the classic first rung on the hospitality ladder — and simply never left. Over the years that followed, Jak worked his way through the ranks, picking up every skill the kitchen and floor had to teach him, before earning his place as co-owner.

Today, as Managing Director of Sea Change Hospitality Group, Jak brings that same ground-up understanding of the business to bear across each venue. It's a perspective few operators have: not someone who arrived with a management theory to apply, but someone who learned the business one shift at a time and now shapes its direction from the inside out.

When he's not on site, you'll usually find him on the footy field!