Prized Adelaide chef Shannon Fleming leaves Jock Zonfrillo restaurant Blackwood
WE’VE got the first interview with top Adelaide chef Shannon Fleming following news of his departure from Jock Zonfrillo’s Blackwood restaurant.
JOCK Zonfrillo’s restaurant Blackwood will get a new name, a new look and a new chef, as current head chef Shannon Fleming steps away from the kitchen.
Fleming took over the role at Blackwood about six months ago, in an attempt to step back from the demands of Zonfrillo’s fine dining establishment Orana, situated on the upper level of the Rundle St site.
Now he has decided to take a break from the industry all together, to spend more time with his young family.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and these hours aren’t getting any easier,” said Fleming, 35, who has three children aged 4, 6 and 7.
“It’s time for me to make them the focus.”
Fleming said he is not stepping into another chef role, but would do some work with his carpenter brother in the Adelaide Hills, where he plans to move.
“I’ve been very proud of what I’ve achieved here (at restaurants Orana and Blackwood),” he said.
“Jock introduced me seven years ago to all these fantastic native Australian flavours and it’s a passion I want to use for the rest of my life. I thank him for that and what he’s done for my career.
“I still want to be a part of food and native (food), that’s what I’m sure about.”
Fleming was working at native food specialist Orana when it became the first back-to-back winner of the prestigious Best Restaurant title at The Advertiser Food Awards in 2014 and 2015.
Following rumours of his impending departure several months ago, Zonfrillo announced on social media he and Fleming were in fact parting ways, “for now”.
“After seven incredible years it is with much sadness we soon say goodbye,” he wrote.
Zonfrillo is now looking for a new head chef to join the Rundle St restaurant but said the pair remained “very close friends”.
“I’m understanding of his situation, I have kids myself and I know how demanding cooking can be,” he said. “It’s with great fondness that I say goodbye to Shannon and I look forward to seeing what he’s going to do.”
Fleming is one of last members of the original group that left Restaurant Magill Estate in 2013, to start restaurants Orana and what was then Street-ADL. Sommelier Josh Picken is now working at Leigh St restaurant Shobosho, and former restaurant manager Aaron Fenwick has set up The Summertown Aristologist in Basket Range. Greta Wohlstadt remains at the Rundle St restaurants as manager.
Zonfrillo has also revealed to The Advertiser that Blackwood — his “bistro version of Orana” — is set to get its second shake-up since transforming from Street-ADL at the beginning of 2016.
While food will remain the same, Zonfrillo said the dining space would get a “fresh new look” by August.
“We’ll a get new chef in and then renovations in August gives him time to find his feet (before relaunch),” he said. “It will be a complete new look. There are a lot tables and chairs, to walls and lights and everything, it’s quite a turnover.” He said the name would “change slightly”.
Sam Christopher is the current head chef at Orana.
Fleming, who will remain at Blackwood until about mid-June, said he was confident about the future of the restaurants. “I’m leaving Orana in a really good spot, with Sam in the kitchen and Greta,” he said. “They’re still very good friends of mine.”
