Zac Poulier, who has cooked around the world, worked as private chef for Russell Crowe during Gladiator, and most recently ran the award-winning Stillwater at Crittenden, has joined Wallara’s Sages Café as Senior Job Coach and Chef. With deep experience in top-tier hospitality, Zac is now supporting and training people with disability in the café kitchen, building real skills for real jobs in the industry.
For Zac, the role is personal. His daughter, 19, has additional needs and recently transitioned into open employment. Now, he’s helping others do the same.
“The people here are no different to anyone I’ve hired before, except they bring even more passion. They really want to be here.”
Why now is the right time
The move comes at a time when Australia faces a critical shortage in hospitality staff. Chefs, pastrycooks, and waiters all appear on Jobs and Skills Australia’s national priority list, yet only 56% of people with disability are currently employed.
Poulier sees a clear opportunity.
“Hospitality needs people, and we have a workforce ready to go. The goal is to run this café just like any other commercial kitchen, so when they move into open employment, it’s a natural next step.”
Together, they’re building a pathway from training to job-readiness that blends industry excellence with real inclusion.
