Roger Lancia
General Manager
Roger Lancia is Pt Leo Estate’s first General Manager and a veteran hospitality management specialist. During his extensive 15-year career, Roger has worn many hats within the food and beverage industry, including Executive Chef, Restaurant Manager, Venue and Operations Manager and now General Manager at Pt Leo Estate, joining the team in December 2017.
Rogers impressive resumé includes a roll-call of the some of the most renowned local venues and Victorian hospitality groups including Lancemore Group (Lindenderry), Port Philip Estate, Van Haandel Group (Stokehouse), ACCOR and Grossi Group. Roger brings a wealth of experience to his role at Pt Leo Estate, specialising in team and project management, employee training and development, marketing, and sound business acumen.
Roger has successfully helped steer Pt. Leo Estate since its remarkable first year in operation, achieving a string of national awards including New Restaurant of the Year in the Good Food Guide 2019 and Australian Gourmet Traveller, and international recognition by Lonely Planet and Relais & Châteaux. Not only is Roger incredibly well-credentialed and a passionate Mornington Peninsula local, but he also sits as Chairman on the Regional Tourism Panel, is one of the most proven managers in the region and a genuine hospitality natural.
What is your favourite Pt. Leo Estate sculpture?
Dreams of Ordinary People by Peter Tilly. To me, this sculpture tells a powerful story of both the apprehension felt and the bravery required to open the many doors ahead of us all to peruse our dreams.
Sunrise East March by Ugo Rondinone. This piece speaks to the true intention of art. Often, when taking the property owners through park, we walk past this piece to the eye-roll of one of the owner’s and the glowing smile of the other. Hence requiring the most diplomatic of conversations from me.
What is your Pt. Leo Estate beverage?
Pt. Leo Estate 2018 Method Traditional – It is the perfect aperitif sparkling wine to be enjoyed with delicate oysters, shellfish, and an array of crudo.
What is your favourite Pt. Leo Estate dish?
This is a very difficult question, and I will break it down by space.
Laura – Chestnut custard, Joselito jamon, quail egg, pine mushrooms
Pt. Leo Restaurant –Fresh burrata, Ramona’s chorizo XO, balsamic radicchio, green peas
Wine Terrace – Roasted Porchetta, fig salad, balsamic glaze. This dish starts its life in our wood-fired oven before being carved to order.
What is your favourite thing to do on the Mornington Peninsula?
There is so much to see and do on the Mornington Peninsula and all the experiences are uniquely diverse. As a resident of the Peninsula, I am fortunate enough to enjoy so many mini-escapes from twilight yacht racing, tree climbing, great walks and gallery visits. Time with my beautiful family is so important to me, so I am often spotted on Mills Beach cheering on the Nippers at the Mornington Life Saving Club with a coffee in hand over the warmer months or riding the many trails through Moorooduc and the back of Mornington when the mud is the perfect landing pad for an overly ambitious old man. If we are not dining at Pt. Leo Estate, great family lunches are often had at the Green Olive, Portsea Hotel, or fish and chips from Morgan’s Beach Shack in Sorrento. If we want to spoil someone, then it must be Tedesca for me. On a workday, there is nothing better than a coffee and chat with my mate Jake (usually about footy) at the Merricks General Store before driving into the Estate for a fun-filled day at work.