Introducing Ben Myhill

A note from Kerrie Phipps “I’m delighted to introduce Ben Myhill, who’s an inspiring young man in our neighbourhood! And creator of fabulous food – including the best squid I’ve had anywhere :-)
This nomination comes from a customer we met in the restaurant and he was delighted to share a few comments about Ben and his wife Amanda….

Both Ben & Amanda have inspired me to follow my dreams and make them a reality, I am sure their path hasn’t been easy but they still made success and high public opinion their primary achievement. They deliver excellent customer service, meal presentation and quality of food and staff. Ben & Amanda are genuine people who work hard and generously contribute to the community. Their success shows me that their character is one to learn from and to admire.” – Rod Winner

Ben Myhill

Ben Myhill was a local Tamworth man who left school in 2002 to pursue his passion for cooking. Ben started his career at 16 with the Tamworth originated Franchise sSs BBQ Barns as a kitchen hand. In 2002 this led to Ben commencing an apprenticeship, where he completed his goal of becoming a qualified chef.  It wasn’t long before he was offered the head chef position of sSs BBQ Barns Tamworth, the head restaurant of the Australian franchise. Ben assisted the franchise with supply and demand of franchise goods and often helped other stores to open their sSs BBQ Barns franchise. Ben managed the original site of sSs BBQ Barns up until November 2007 when the opportunity arose to take on a dream, to own his own restaurant. Ben and his wife Amanda took on the challenge and hit the ground running. Ben met his wife through school sports and his passion for the industry inspired Amanda to pursue a career in hospitality too. Ben and Amanda have no regrets in taking on such a challenge at a young age and have learned quite a lot from the challenges they have faced through out the years.

In May 2012 Ben created his own unique restaurant ‘The Lions Pride Restaurant’. It was an enormous leap from the support network of a franchise to a locally Family owned Restaurant, out in hospitality on his own but it was well worth all the blood, sweat and tears to achieve his long term goal in such a short period of time. This wouldn’t have been achieved without the support of his family, friends, and team, plus loyal supportive customers who Ben, Amanda and their two young daughters consider as friends.

Ben and his young family are happy to call Dubbo home, as they have both of their passions of hospitality/cooking and sport at their finger tips.

1. How do you love to explain your business to others? We love to talk about how we cater for everyone, families, business person, large or small groups. We love to make you feel welcome from the time you walk through the door, with a friendly smile and welcome, to the smile and goodbye “we will see you next time” we love to share our passion for hospitality with everyone. We love to see that smile on your face when you take that first bite of your meal, to that very last one of our mouth watering desserts. We want to make you feel like “ KING OF OUR PRIDE”

2. Who are your greatest supporters? My wife Amanda is definitely been my biggest supporter, she has always been there by my side helping push and drive the business where we want it to go. Also my family and friends. They have really helped out and supported me from the very start. They have seen the amount of work I have put in and what I have given up to pursue my passion for the hospitality industry. Lastly my two little girls, Lilly-Anne and Bianca who are always there to give me a great big smile and hugs and kisses when I get home.

3. How did you move from dreamer to achiever? Taking that first step outside of the comfort zone was the hardest, but having that passion, belief and drive in the hospitality industry, plus the support from family, friends and our wonderful team, we knew we would succeed.

4. How does your business contribute to your community? Our business contributes to local sporting teams, a lot of local community events and fundraisers. We also offer a lot of products from local producers and suppliers on our menu through the food and wine. From Lime Grove in Narromine, meat from Bunninyong Butchery and wine from Red Earth Estate Dubbo.

Contact details
Ben Myhill
Head Chef / Restaurateur
The Lions Pride Restaurant (formally known as sSs BBQ Barns Dubbo)
Corner of Cobra and Darling streets, Dubbo NSW
Phone (02) 6884 3333 fax (02)6884 3717
Mobile 0409 127 710
www.thelionspride.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/thelionspriderestaurant