Cruising Yacht Club of Australia moves Dedes Waterfront Group into the kitchen
The exclusive Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) in Rushcutters Bay has taken back its food operations from The Boathouse Group.
The Club has moved Dedes Waterfront Group into the kitchen, just a year after The Boathouse Group took over the menu.
Dedes Waterfront Group operates CBD fine-diner Alpha and has the captains of the Dydnedy to Hopbart race excited about filling their bellies with a slow-cooked Greek lamb feast before setting sail on Boxing Day.
According to CYCA Commodore Sam Haynes, Boathouse took the club to a new level during its tenure but there were cultural differences.
“They are more of a commercial operation, we’re member-driven,” he said.
Haynes noted “that the club might want to do something not profitable because we’re providing a member service”.
Boathouse Group chief executive Antony Jones said the organisations failed to find common ground but “there’s no bad blood”.
Haynes explained that while the Boathouse partnership was previously a joint venture, the CYCA has now taken over food management at its waterfront venue, with Dedes joining as its hospitality partner.
Restaurateur Con Dedes, known for venues like Pyrmont’s Flying Fish, is taking the helm of an ambitious food program.
Dedes brings significant experience with club dining, having managed food operations at both the Sydney Rowing Club and the Regatta Club in Haberfield. His first step will be reintroducing a seafood platter to the club’s menu.
Dining at this waterfront club, where annual fees can reach $700, is currently limited for Sydneysiders who live within 5 kilometres unless they are signed in by a member. However, under the NSW Government's Vibrancy Reforms, clubs are now permitted to relax these restrictions.
Haynes noted that the new laws will allow clubs like CYCA, which have the 5-kilometre rule in their constitution, to decide whether to maintain or remove it before December 2026.
“We are reviewing this amongst our overall strategic review, which is underway,” Haynes said.
Jonathan Jackson, 12th November 2024
