Big blow for The Star as Dany Karam quits Black Bar & Grill

The Star has been dealt a big blow with top chef Dany Karam leaving the belleaguered entertainment venue. He reveals his reasons for wanting out here.

Top Sydney chef Dany Karam is bowing out of The Star.

Confidential can reveal the executive chef at Black Bar & Grill, one of the city’s most prestigious steak restaurants, is hanging up his hat with the business.

Karam, 37, (pictured) confirmed he had handed in his notice and would finish up at Black at the end of December.

It ends a seven year run with Black and 13 years at The Star for Karam.

“I have had an amazing time, seen many incredible sights and worked with some wonderful people,” Karam told Confidential.

Dany Karam at The Star’s Black Bar & Grill.

“It is however time for me to look at other ventures and I am excited to sink my teeth into my events business.”

Karam would not divulge too much detail although it is understood he is looking to open a new restaurant in the future.

He is focused for now on events and consultancy work so watch this space.

Father of two Karam grew up in Sydney’s west and has risen to the top of the chef pool alongside other big names in the business.

Mr Karam will finish his time at The Star in December. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Just before Covid hit in 2020, he opened Bar Tikram, also at The Star, and is stepping away from that business too.

It comes after a series of major changes at the Sydney hospitality venue, including Marquee nightclub announcing it was pulling out of The Star.

Crown, on the other side of Darling Harbour, has meanwhile been thriving with its hospitality offerings.

Last month, Star Entertainment Group copped a $100 million fine for failing to stop money laundering at its Sydney casino complex following an inquiry headed by Adam Bell SC that found it had disguised almost $1bn of gambling transactions on Chinese debit cards as hotel charges.

The group’s licence to operate the casino has also been suspended.