Rockliffe Hall’s Clubhouse hires local ‘hospitality icon’

Five-star hotel and spa, Rockliffe Hall, has appointed Salvatore Obinu, the former owner of the Darlington-based restaurant Sardis to its Clubhouse team as its restaurant team leader.

Obinu is considered a “hospitality icon” along with his brother Francesco in their hometown Darlington, County Durham, North East England. Both brothers had owned Sardis for 30 years, gaining a reputation of great food and exceptional hospitality.

Obinu, 55, moved in the 1980’s from Sardinia, where he completed a management and concierge course at Catering College. He had worked in a Northallerton-based restaurant before starting his entrepreneurial journey with his brother.

After the restaurant closed in January due to an offer to sell the property, Obinu began working at Rockliffe a few months later. He has already been awarded Team Member of the Month.

Obinu said: “I wanted to work somewhere where I was passionate about the food and proud of the surroundings so when the opportunity came up for me at Rockliffe Hall’s Clubhouse, it was an easy decision. My number one priority is the customer and I love working front of house.”

Clubhouse restaurant manager, Ben Hunt, said: “It’s a great coup for us to have Salvatore join us in The Clubhouse. We’ve got a brilliant team here and he brings so much experience with him, our younger members of staff have already learned so much from him.

“He’s a true hospitality icon and a breath of fresh air, his rapport with the customers and his attention to detail is exceptional and he’s a pleasure to work alongside.”