MasterChef star Callum Hann and Themis Chryssidis open the bar of Eleven, their first CBD restaurant
Despite COVID uncertainty, MasterChef’s Callum Hann and fellow foodie Themis Chryssidis say “now is the right time” to open their first CBD restaurant.
Food & Wine
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MasterChef star Callum Hann is stepping into a new reality with his first city restaurant, Eleven, which opens its bar today.
Hann and fellow foodie Themis Chryssidis are behind the flagship eatery in Waymouth Street’s new multimillion-dollar plaza.
Refined tasting plates are now available at the bar, while the restaurant is set to open in March with head chef Daniel Murphy (Appellation, Fino).
Chryssidis, who runs cooking school Sprout with Hann, said “now’s the right time” to open their anticipated venue. The pair also recently opened eatery Lou’s Place in the Barossa Valley.
“There are always nerves with doing anything new, but one thing I’ve noticed is how resilient this state is,” he said.
“People want to get back to the city and workers are sick of working from home, and we want to be a place where they can come.”
Eleven will cater for 200 people and offer a “refined, premium experience in a humble environment”.
Chryssidis welcomed the recent ease of space restrictions in hospitality venues, from 1-in-4 sqm to 1-in-2 sqm, saying it was “fundamental” for business – as was opening in time for summer.
“We’re super excited, we’ve got this beautiful weather and it’s such a unique CBD bar nestled between the buildings,” he said.
Respected Adelaide chef Nigel Rich will join Murphy in the kitchen, while Geoffrey Hunt is sommelier.
Restaurant and Catering Australia CEO Wes Lambert said consumer confidence was rising as SA moved out of the “COVID-sleep”.
“As the hospitality industry begins to recover from the pandemic and as we move into summertime, which is traditionally the peak season in hospitality … consumers are spending the money they normally would have spent on overseas holidays,” Mr Lambert said.
“We think that’s going to continue into 2021 as businesses return to work (and) sates feel more comfortable removing work-from-home suggestions.”
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