Ioannis Benardos began a career in hospitality at the age of eighteen in Double Bay’s Ritz Carlton Hotel. After the hotel’s cessation Ioannis moved companies to the Four Seasons hotel where he stayed while completing his commercial pilots license and until leaving for London to take a position in front of house at Claridge’s, Mayfair.

Upon his return to Australia he again worked in front of house operations as concierge for the Quay Grand hotel in Sydney but again had his sights set for international endeavours.

He joined the team at the Aspen Mountain Club – one of Colorado’s most exclusive skiing clubs – for the 2004/2005 ski season.

Returning to Australia, he was appointed assistant manager of the Grand National Restaurant – at the time a one hat restaurant – where he remained until he took jobs managing two high profile Sydney restaurants. A move to Canada to get married saw a switch to the vibrant, Vancouver bar scene and after a ski season stint in Collingwood, Ontario back to Australia to work on the Bernie’s Diner project.