Heston Blumenthal to take Fat Duck and Dinner to Melbourne

By Richard Siddle

Published: 31 March, 2014

Heston Blumenthal is to close his three Michelin star restaurant, the Fat Duck, and re-open it in Melbourne, Australia as part of a six-month deal with the Crown Melbourne Resort. When it returns to the UK it will be replaced by his other UK Michelin restaurant, Dinner.

It will be the first time that Blumenthal has opened a restaurant outside the UK. After six months the Fat Duck will then re-open in its original Bray setting in December 2014.

Not only does the move give Blumenthal the chance to take his brand to the other side of the world, it will also give time for major renovation work to take place at the Fat Duck in Bray.

Blumenthal intends to take the entire Fat Duck team with him to Australia for the six month relocation.

When the team returns to the UK, the Crown Melbourne Resort will then play host to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal which will open up a new permanent restaurant in the same location, giving the residents of Victoria an opportunity to sample two of the leading restaurants in the world.

The move will also provide a major opportunity for Australia's winemakers, particularly those in Victoria, to showcase their wines to the award winning Blumenthal and his team.

Blumenthal said: "This is an incredible opportunity and I am thrilled that it has worked out the way it has. The Fat Duck is part of a Grade II listed building, so I always knew there would come a time when it would need a little attention and the building itself would require a bit of modernisation - after all, it was built in 1640. I just couldn't bear the thought of closing for an extended period, though. When we first started conversations with Crown, I saw the potential of the situation and really began to hope. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome."

James Packer, chairman of Crown Resorts, added: "Heston's decision to relocate The Fat Duck to our Melbourne resort is an incredible result for Crown Resorts and the Victorian tourism industry. To attract an internationally renowned chef and innovator of Heston's calibre is a reflection on Melbourne's culinary reputation and Crown's commitment to dining excellence. The relocation of the coveted restaurant will be a big boost for local tourism, attracting interstate and international guests to Melbourne so they can experience a once in a lifetime dining opportunity."

Printer friendly version