Food influencer Brenda Loveday quits Nina restaurant, six months after ‘choking’ claim against former co-owner and ex-boyfriend Leonardo Loureiro
A popular food blogger has quit the top Adelaide restaurant she co-owns with a celebrity chef, six months after accusing him of domestic violence.
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A popular food influencer has quit the Adelaide restaurant she co-owns with top chef and ex-partner Leonardo Moreira Loureiro, six months after accusing him of domestic violence.
Ms Loveday has remained a part-owner of trendy city restaurant Nina, alongside business partners Mr Moreira Loureiro and Jessica Purcell, since the allegations were aired in court last year.
Mr Moreira Loureiro, 32, of Seaton, has yet to plead to charges of aggravated assault without a weapon and choking, suffocating or strangling a person in a domestic setting.
A lawyer for the Adelaide chef has told the court his client will be contesting the charges.
On Thursday, Ms Loveday revealed she was departing the Spanish-inspired restaurant she helped launch in October 2023. She was also responsible for the eatery’s marketing and social media.
“After one and a half years, I have made the decision to leave Nina and will also no longer be running their social media,” Ms Loveday wrote on her social media channels.
“I’m grateful to have been part of the opening and journey of this restaurant, and to see the incredible response from everyone who has visited, but it’s time for me to move onto my next venture.
“I appreciate everyone who has supported me along the way and I’m beyond excited for you all to see what I do next!”
Mr Moreira Loureiro is on continuing bail and is expected to enter his plea later this month.
A court was told in September that Mr Moreira Loureiro is accused of choking Loveday with one hand to the right side of her throat, causing her to feel dizzy and struggle to breathe.
Ms Loveday said Mr Moreira Loureiro eventually released his grip and she remained in pain as a result of the alleged attack for about eight days, the court was told.
Mr Moreira Loureiro and Ms Loveday were together for 18 months but split soon after the incident, and have since removed each other from their social media accounts.
Ms Loveday started her food blog, Freaky Feeds, in 2016, becoming a big success on Instagram and TikTok, earning tens of thousands of followers across both platforms.
She works in social media full-time, managing more than 10 venues in Adelaide as well as overseeing her own accounts.
Last month, she was unveiled as an ambassador for Fringe hub Gluttony.
Mr Moreira Loureiro has previously worked with industry icons including Jock Zonfrillo, Matt Moran and Italian legend Massimo Bottura.
Starting out as a lawyer in his homeland, the Brazilian-born chef switched careers after three years, eventually emigrating to Australia to study at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney.
He spent time at Moran’s acclaimed venue, Aria, before moving to Adelaide where he worked at Zonfrillo’s Rundle St fine diner, Orana, as a commis chef and chef de partie, and at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
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Originally published as Food influencer Brenda Loveday quits Nina restaurant, six months after ‘choking’ claim against former co-owner and ex-boyfriend Leonardo Loureiro
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