By Renee Wood
Winery and restaurant Innocent Bystander is celebrating its fifth birthday this weekend, hosting an event for patrons to mark the occasion.
Events manager Declan Scott said it’s an exciting milestone to reach for staff after tough times for the sector.
“It’s super exciting to be honest, especially after the last two years of everything being really uncertain and struggling, along with every other business,” Mr Scott said.
The community’s invited to come and enjoy the festivities on Sunday 13 March from 3pm to 7pm.
Live music, signature cocktails and baked treats will be available, as well as crowd favourite menu items from the past five years.
“Being a long weekend, we are expecting it to be quite busy because Monday is the public holiday, which I think will be great for the event and it will give it a good atmosphere,” he said.
Innocent Bystander started off as Giant Steps and was purchased by the Brown Family Wine Group in 2017.
Mr Scott said the move to the current venue at the same time helped to cement the label’s identity.
“I think having the venue on its own really differentiates us as our own brands, giving us a Yarra Valley home and our own HQ – creating its own identity and its own experience.”
The business has also been a home for many staff members over the years, boosting employment in an ideal climate with as many as 40 people working in the front of house team and up to 30 more in back of house roles.
Unfortunately, like many others, Innocent Bystander has been struck with staffing shortages due to the pandemic, forcing reduced hours and service offerings, going from seven days a week down to five.
“We were really lucky in the fact that we were able to retain a lot of our staff through Covid. But I think it also gave people that time without working to reassess and ask, what do I want to do?
“We also had a few people finish up their studies, so it meant that they were moving on to their career.”
Mr Scott said going back to seven days is a priority and they are looking to recruit more staff to kick off their fifth year.
Roles are available in various areas, including duty managers, chefs, kitchen hands, bar and table service.
“We’re already talking about how can we get back to seven days again and what do we need to do to make that happen.”
