Rick Stein on Opening a Restaurant in Coogee
Some celebrity chefs divide opinion or attract specific audiences, but Rick Stein is universally loved. The UK chef and TV personality has been part of the east coast dining landscape for over 15 years, visiting so often he feels like an unofficial Aussie.
This summer, he plans to energize Sydney’s dining scene by bringing his signature simple yet spectacular seafood to the Eastern Suburbs. Stein already runs two successful restaurants in NSW: Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook, opened in 2009, and Bannisters Port Stephens, established in 2018.
New Venture in Coogee
After several years without news of expansion, it was announced earlier this year that Stein and his wife Sarah (‘Sas’) will launch a 224-seat restaurant, Rick Stein at Coogee Beach, located in the new InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach.
The Secret Ingredient to Success
“The truth of it is that the two Bannisters hotels and my restaurants were taken over by [investment management group] Salter Brothers in October last year,” Stein says. “And that was a bit of a surprise. But actually starting to work with Salter Brothers, I realised how professional they were and how much I liked working with them.”
Author's Summary
Rick Stein is expanding his Australian restaurants with a new venture in Coogee, backed by fresh professional partnerships, promising to enrich Sydney’s seafood scene.