[image]
[title]Every year, thousands head to Melbourne Park to watch the superstars of tennis battle it out for a Grand Slam title. But just across the road, the Australian Open is serving up another ace on the court for 2018: the AO Chef Series.
In a Grand Slam first, the Australian Open will be bringing superior culinary experiences to Melbourne in a brand spanking new pop-up restaurant at The Glasshouse on Olympic Boulevard.
Four A-list chefs will be putting on exclusive dining experiences across 12 days of the Australian Open tournament. These culinary events allow guests to interact and learn from high class international chefs, including Peter Gilmore from Sydney’s Quay and Bennelong restaurants, Angela Hartnett from London restaurant Murano, Alejandro Saravia from Melbourne restaurant Pastuso, and Jake Nicolson from Brisbane’s Blackbird Bar and Grill. Each feast will be a multi-course degustation-style experience that shows off each chef's signature style, and will be paired with matched wines – not to mention exciting dinner conversation.
Get to know the chefs participating in the debut AO Chef Series below.
Jake Nicolson presents Blackbird Bar and Grill (Jan 15-16)
Jake Nicolson has charred, sizzled and seared his way into the hearts of many a Brisbanite through the top notch fare he serves up at Blackbird’s riverside bar. Jake prides himself on using high quality seasonal produce and he places emphasis on simplicity and punchy flavours.
Come along to see this executive chef present a premium four-course degustation menu. The Australian heritage-style meal will feature some of Queensland’s finest produce, with handpicked wines to match.
Jake Nicolson will be presenting dinner on both Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 January. Buy tickets here.
Alejandro Saravia presents Farmer’s Daughters (Jan 18-20)
You’ll know Peruvian-born chef Alejandro Saravia from his South American-style restaurants Pastuso and Che, but in January this talented chef would like to share his love of regional Gippsland produce with a sit-down menu at AO Chef Series. He’ll be previewing the new restaurant Farmer’s Daughters with an open kitchen experience. Guests will get to meet and greet with Alejandro as he explains the menu and shows off some of Gippsland’s abundant fresh produce that he’s so very fond of.
Speaking about the event, Saravia says: “I’m super excited, because after planning this for a long time, and working with a lot of different regions in Gippsland with a huge variety of produce, we are finally ready to show it in the amazing space that is the Glasshouse.”
Alejandro Saravia will be presenting dinner on Thursday 18, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 January. Buy tickets here.
Angela Hartnett presents Murano of London (Jan 21-23)
If you’ve ever visited the stylish district of Mayfair of London, you’ll know that Angela Hartnett’s Murano restaurant is quite the hot ticket. Angela’s Italian-influenced menu is matched perfectly with elegant surroundings and impeccable service – and that attention to detail is what this world-renowned chef prides herself on.
At the AO Chef Series in January, guests will be able to chat with Angela before she cooks up a five-course degustation menu of modern, seasonal food with Italian accents. Each dish served will be paired with premium matched wines, which you can enjoy while hearing about the story of Murano.
Angela Hartnett will be presenting lunch and dinner on Sunday January 21, Monday January 22 and Tuesday January 23. Buy tickets here.
A night with Peter Gilmore (Jan 24)
The coup de gras of the AO Chef Series will be a one-night-only appearance by executive chef Peter Gilmore. He’s practically Australian culinary royalty thanks to the success of his Sydney restaurants Quay and Bennelong, and for the first time ever in Melbourne, you’ll be able to enjoy a five-course degustation personally created by Peter.
Guests will be invited to chat with Peter in an intimate and exclusive dining experience as he shares the story behind his menu and the expertly matched wines.
Peter Gilmore will be presenting an exclusive dinner on Wednesday January 24. Buy tickets here.