Peter Kuruvita to open cooking school and dining precinct

After leaving Sofitel’s Noosa Beach House last month, the TV cook has an exciting and ambitious, multi-venue new project in the works.

Celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita has revealed bold plans to open a massive new culinary venture on the Sunshine Coast, including a restaurant, cafe, providore, cooking school, event space and more.

ALBA by Kuruvita will take over the former site of Fish Parkridge in Noosa Heads and will mark the next chapter (and perhaps final) for the TV cook, who last month wrapped up an eight-year tenure at Sofitel’s Noosa Beach House along ­Hastings St.

“It’s probably going to be my swan song and I just want to create something unique and memorable,” Mr Kuruvita said.

Peter Kuruvita at the site where he is building his new food precinct ALBA By Kuruvita in Noosa. Picture: Lachie Millard

The multi-venue premises in Alba Close will operate from morning to night with a relaxed cafe and pizzeria serving up locally roasted First Batch Coffee, alongside everything from breakfast classics such as eggs benedict to Mr Kuruvita’s signature Sri Lankan string hoppers.

But he says the cafe’s wood and gas-fired oven will be the star of the space, turning out pizzas with a sourdough crust made using a starter he created at home when the pandemic began last year.

Construction has begun on the multi-venue premises in Noosa. Picture: Lachie Millard

“When Covid hit, I started baking bread like everyone did and I have made a sourdough starter and that starter will be transferred to the restaurant,” the chef said. The precinct will also feature a cocktail bar with an appealing all-day snack menu similar to that of Noosa Beach House. That offering will then shrink of an evening as the 80-90-seat restaurant comes to life, serving four entrees, four mains and four desserts, including an array of global dishes inspired by Mr Kuruvita’s travels, as well as his signatures – such as his Sri Lankan fish curry – all using the best of local produce.

Interior of the kitchen at Peter Kuruvita's restaurant ALBA. Picture: Lachie Millard

And to cater to the 700 homes surrounding the precinct, the chef will open a bottle shop and providore selling everything from bread and milk to cheese, charcuterie, pre-made meals and wine.

But the most exciting element of the development for Mr Kuruvita will be his first official cooking school.

Featuring state-of-the-art equipment and room for 24 students in a hands-on capacity, the classes will cover myriad genres, including Sri Lankan food, knife skills, filleting and fish preparation and how to break down and cook a chicken.

The kitchen star also plans to call upon his famous culinary friends to host guest classes; while the space will be able to be used for private classes of just 10 participants as well.

ALBA by Kuruvita is pushing for a mid-November or early December launch.