Sydneysiders who enjoy their food sprinkled with liberal doses of profanity will have to wait—controversial chef Gordon Ramsay has decided to open his first Australian restaurant in “hard-ass” Melbourne. Ramsay, who has spent the past four days in Sydney being feted by thousands of loyal fans, revealed yesterday he had chosen Melbourne to launch his assault on Australian tastebuds because of its long-standing food culture. “I’d like to open here. But I don’t think you open in Sydney before opening in Melbourne,” he said. “Melbourne is like New York. It has that culture of foodies that are finicky, hard-ass and very possessive about their city. Sydney’s a lot more relaxed. A lot more cosmopolitan and flashier.” The decision, which will involve Ramsay’s company investing millions of dollars in planning and construction of a new restaurant, follows years of speculation over when the Scottish-born chef would add an Australian venture to his expanding international empire. He estimates his first Australian restaurant will be open within the next 18 months and he will appoint a local chef to run it on a daily basis. “It’s about the chef. That’s the fundamental key ingredient. I’d be stupid not to employ a local Aussie.” Ramsay said there were significant differences in food style between the two cities and “you only have to look at the wine lists in terms of who orders what and the integrity that goes into it.” Ramsay has spent each night dining in Sydney’s finest restaurants and had been amazed by the quality and standards. “Australia is really up there,” he said. “Extraordinary stuff. Elegant. Simple, delicious.” He rated a dish of slowly-braised belly of pork at Aria and the wagyu beef at Guillaume at Bennelong as among his favourite dining experiences in Sydney. The Daily Telegraph, June 23.
Jun 30
