Joshua Blake

Chef Concierge, Member Les Clefs d’Or Australia

“A lot of what we do you won’t find in any brochure. We always keep things up our sleeve.”

Four Seasons Tenure

Since 2014
First Four Seasons Assignment: Current

Employment History

Holiday Inn Darling Harbour, Hyatt Regency Perth

Awards

Highly Commended, 2019 Les Clefs d’Or Awards

Education

Certificate 3 in Retail Management, Certificate 3 in Hospitality, Member Les Clefs d'Or Australia

Birthplace

South Australia

Languages Spoken

English

With more than a dozen years experience as a concierge, including many at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Josh has an arsenal of local knowledge and connections to help guests discover the city’s many treasures. He is one of just 58 concierges across Australia to be named a member of Les Clefs d’Or, which recognises concierges who are at the top of their game. He is also on the interview committee for prospective members who must meet stringent qualification criteria; less than half of applicants are successful in joining the exclusive Paris-based organisation.

His favourite part of being a concierge? “Not knowing what to expect every day. Sure, you have bread and butter questions such as local restaurant recommendations and day tours, but you never know what guests are going to ask, and I love that,” says Josh.

His most challenging request was to create an hour by hour, 14-day land-sea-air itinerary with just a few weeks’ notice, for a couple who wanted to see as much of Australia as possible. They travelled by private jet to Uluru, Hayman Island, the Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania’s rainforests; took helicopter tours to the Hunter Valley and Wolgan Valley; and a private cruise around Sydney Harbour on a 120-foot yacht. “Luckily, money was no object in this case. The itinerary changed quite a bit day to day during their stay, and covered most of Australia on day trips,” he says.

More common guest queries include the most Instagrammable spots around The Rocks and Harbour district (Josh’s tip: the mysteriously foggy Moore Steps on a cool morning), while local Sydneysiders enjoying a staycation and re-exploring their city seek Josh’s help to find their childhood haunts.

Whatever the request, Josh loves engaging with guests and helping them to peel back the layers of Sydney’s rich history and cosmopolitan lifestyle. When he’s not working, he can often be found on a golf course, and is an active member of the community who chairs the Sydney Concierge and Hospitality Ball to raise money for autistic and special needs children.