Gogglebox star Jad Nehmetallah to open cafe at Parramatta Park

The rebuilt Parramatta Park restaurant will transform into a landmark venue for Lebanese cuisine in the hands of its new tenant Jad Nehmetallah. Find out what he has in store.

Joanne Vella

@Parramatta_News

2 min read

February 27, 2021 - 6:00AM

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Gogglebox star Jad Nehmetallah is opening a casual eatery and function venue at Parramatta Park and is assembling a “superstar team” to run it.

The hospitality guru turned on-screen larrikin previously ran The Picnic cafe at Burwood, which he sold last month, and has ambitious plans to turn the former Parramatta Park Cafe into an eatery and function space with a capacity for 200 guests overlooking Little Coogee.

“When I opened Burwood I knew the next one was going to be in Parramatta because there’s something about Parramatta I’m quite attracted to,’’ he said.

Jad Nehmetallah is reopening the function space at Parramatta Park.

“It’s different to what it was three years ago. It’s a rapidly growing community.’’

There will also be a greenhouse where fresh produce will be cultivated for Mediterranean-inspired meals and food that pays homage to Mr Nehmetallah’s Lebanese heritage when the cafe opens about August.

Guests will be encouraged to unfurl picnic blankets and feast on share plates in the great outdoors.

Jad Nehmetallah and Andy Webb at the cafe and function venue.

“I wanted to introduce a new concept and new vibe to Parramatta,’’ Mr Nehmetallah said.

“It’s going to be approachable, sophisticated and Mediterranean with a big emphasis on different textures and simplicity.’’

Mr Nehmetallah’s most recent venture will replace the cafe that fire destroyed on Boxing Day 2016. A 22-year-old was charged with lighting the blaze.

Firefighters contain the blaze at Parramatta Park Cafe on Boxing Day 2016.

Mr Nehmetallah loves the high ceilings, trusses and natural light that fill the space and said he had already fielded 16 inquiries for functions.

“We wanted to put a big emphasis on making this a venue for everyone,’’ he said.

“It’s going to be that great go-to suburban eatery.’’

The 35-year-old is “building a superstar team’’ including Andy Webb, who helmed Cafe Morso at Pyrmont for 15 years and worked as an operations manager with celebrated chef Bill Granger before that. He will be the licensee for the Parramatta venue.

Mr Nehmetallah, who is best known for being one part of a trio with his mates Sarah-Marie and Matty Fahd on Gogglebox, continues to film the Channel 10 show which has made him a household name but hospitality is his first love.

Jad Nehmetallah and with friends and Gogglebox castmates Sarah Marie and Matty Fahd, and their son Malik.

After running a promotion and events company, he opened Jad’s Place cafe at Burwood followed by The Picnic, and has other projects in the pipeline while working towards opening the Parramatta production.

“I’ve never said no to anything,’’ he said.

“I’m always looking for a new challenge to work on, different people to collaborate with and push myself in the hospitality sector.

“I love hospitality, I love food, I love people. It’s not just a job, it’s my life.’’