Company behind Asami teppanyaki restaurant at Q1 Surfers Paradise in liquidation after court wind-up

The company behind a popular restaurant at a famous Gold Coast landmark was wound up owing almost $1.8 million in tax and super. So how is it still being managed by the same couple?

The company behind a popular restaurant at a famous Gold Coast landmark is in liquidation owing almost $1.8 million in tax and superannuation.

The company behind Asami, a teppanyaki restaurant at the base of Q1, was wound up in court after the ATO took action on the hefty debt.

Despite the liquidation, the restaurant is still being managed by the same couple that has run it for the past five years.

Asami Pty Ltd was wound up on August 23, after an application by the Australian Taxation Office on April 23.

Federal Court documents show the ATO issued Asami with a statutory demand for payment of $1,795,810 in unpaid tax and superannuation, including penalties and interest for the overdue amounts.

The company behind the Asami teppanyaki restaurant, at Q1 in Surfers Paradise, has been wound up over a tax debt.

ASIC records show Parkwood couple Shane Tomkins, 55, and Mary Joyce Palermo, 48, were joint directors of Asami until June 11 – seven weeks after the wind-up action was lodged – when Ms Palermo resigned.

Both remain joint shareholders of the company in liquidation.

Ashley Leslie of Vincents was appointed liquidator.

A statement from Vincents’ marketing department did not respond to specific questions but said “preliminary investigations revealed that the business operated by the Company ceased trading prior to liquidation”.

However, the restaurant’s website was still taking bookings and Ms Palermo answered “Good morning, Asami Teppanyaki” when the Gold Coast Bulletin called the restaurant’s number on Thursday.

She declined to answer questions about the liquidation or the tax debt, handing the phone to Mr Tomkins, saying she had to talk to her “boss”.

Joyce Palermo and Shane Tomkins of the Asami Teppanyaki restaurant at the base of the Q1 tower.

“Asami was sold,” he said.

“Asami, there was the wind-up of the previous owner, but that was, um, no Asami is not wound up, it’s not not operating if you know what I mean.”

Mr Tomkins said the restaurant was “absolutely” still open but declined to say who the business had been sold to.

“You can look that up,” he said.

“That’s the only comment that I’ve got, thank you.

“The facts are not correct, thank you.”

In a follow-up call, Mr Tomkins said he and Ms Palermo were managing the restaurant “for the new owners”.

He said he was not linked to the new owners.

“We’re just working for them,” he said.

“I’m just sweating here at the moment and digging holes. I can’t think what the terminology is at the moment.”

The call was then disconnected and the number went unanswered after that.

The company behind Asami teppanyaki restaurant at Q1, Surfers Paradise, has been wound up over a tax debt.

Company records show a new company, originally named Asami (Qld) and then renamed Alymarus, was created in November last year but does not hold an ABN.

It is directed by Ms Palermo and jointly held by Mr Tomkins and is not in liquidation.

Mr Tomkins said Alymarus was not running the restaurant.

An investment trust, Trustee for the Asami Teppanyaki Trust, has an ABN but no registered business names.

Originally published as Company behind Asami teppanyaki restaurant at Q1 Surfers Paradise in liquidation after court wind-up