Companies behind restaurants Maman, Naami, Lucia Tapas and Milky Lane owe more than $2m

Creditors of the collapsed companies behind restaurants Maman, Naami, Milky Lane and Lucia Tapas have been revealed – and they’re owed millions.

Collapsed restaurant companies linked to organisers of failed music festival The Grass is Greener have debts of more than $2.3m to unsecured creditors, according to reports lodged with ASIC.

Three restaurant companies operated by festival co-founders Oli Frost, also known as Oliver Fines-Frost, and Jonathan “Johnny” Eddings went into voluntary liquidation, and another into voluntary administration, on July 24.

The entities behind Burleigh bar Naami, Surfers Paradise burger joint Milky Lane and Lucia Tapas at Tugun are in liquidation, while the company behind influencer hot spot Maman is in administration.

Despite the company collapses, the restaurant websites, booking portals and social media pages remain open and a slew of new companies with similar names have been created by the festival founders.

The collapse drew in professional athlete Matt Poole, who is owed almost $30,000 after investing in trendy Maman when he and Mr Frost were friends.

Tom Vandermeer of BCR Advisory said liquidators were “currently conducting the sale of the businesses through a public advertisement campaign on Grays online”.

He said a creditors meeting would be held in about three weeks, with a more detailed report to be lodged with ASIC before that.

Champion ironman Matt Poole (right) with business partner Oliver Frost (left), with whom he opened a new restaurant called Maman in Burleigh Heads. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Maman opened with a star-studded party, amplified by the presence of Mr Poole – a 2017 NutriGrain Ironman series champion – and social media superstar Tammy Hembrow, his partner at the time and mother of his daughter.

Documents lodged by BCR Advisory liquidator John Morgan, the same liquidator dealing with the collapsed festival company, reveal more than $2m is owed by the restaurant companies – with much of the funds owed to related parties.

The Bulletin has contactedMs Fines for comment.

Mr Frost and Mr Eddings, via a public relations representative, declined to comment.

A report for Nam Bar, the company that operated Naami in Burleigh, said it owed it more than $85,700 for unpaid tax and superannuation.

Oli Frost launching Lucia Tapas in Tugun. Picture: Adam Head

The report, completed and signed by director Oli Frost, said Nam Bar had $10,980 in realisable assets and that it owed him $10,976 for a loan.

Nam Bar was owed a further $45,734 by Tugun Beers and $2737 by Maman, according to Mr Frost’s report.

The company behind the Grass is Greener festival is Nam Bar’s largest creditor, and is owed $121,184.

Another of the companies in liquidation, Lewis Invest Holdings, which operated Milky Lane at Surfers Paradise, is owed $89,866 by Nam Bar.

Investors Stirling Sanderson and Aaron Van Zeeland are listed as being owed $75,000 and $42,000 respectively.

Restaurant suppliers are owed $26,848, according to Mr Frost’s report.

A director report by Mr Eddings for Lewis Invest said it owed $518,000 in unpaid tax and superannuation.

Mr Eddings’ report said the Milky Lane company had $22,325 in realisable assets and that it was owed $39,946 by Nam Bar and $155,976 by another related company, Tugun Beers.

The company behind the Grass is Greener festival is Lewis Invest’s largest creditor, and is owed $117,231.

Suppliers are owed almost $13,000, according to Mr Eddings’ report.

Creditors include CUB, Paramount Liquor, Seek, GC Ice Sales, Metcash Trading and PFD Foods.

Maman and Naami on James St in Burleigh Heads.

Another report signed by Mr Frost, revealed the company behind Lucia Tapas, Tugun Beers,

had debts to unsecured creditors of $826,847.

Andrew Scerri is listed as being owed $57,394, while Mr Frost’s mother Karen Fines is listed as being owed $10,000.

Supplier creditors include Bidfood Australia, Moet Hennessy Australia, Jensen Market Supplies and PFD Food Services.

Craft House is owed $40,235 in vendor finance for equipment.

The company owes $227,894 in tax and staff superannuation.

Related companies, including the other restaurants and Grass is Greener company Hand Picked Events and Marketing, are owed $499,650 between them.

The collapsed Maman Bar and Kitchen company is solely directed by Mr Frost’s mother Karen Fines.

According to Ms Fines’ report on the company’s affairs lodged with the liquidator, Maman owes $216,000 in tax, $25,000 in superannuation and $18,262 to suppliers.

Shareholders are also listed as creditors, including Mr Poole with a $28,893 loan and Mr Van Zeeland with $13,205.

Ms Fines has listed her son as the largest non-tax creditor, with Mr Frost reportedly owed $100,539 for a loan.

Originally published as Companies behind restaurants Maman, Naami, Lucia Tapas and Milky Lane owe more than $2m