Chef quits Australian Restaurant of the Year

The head chef of Australia’s No.1 restaurant, Agnes in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, has resigned.

The head chef at Australia’s No.1 restaurant, Agnes in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, has resigned.

Alex Gregg has left the fire-powered eatery, which was last year crowned Australian Restaurant of the Year in the coveted Gourmet Traveller Awards – only the second Queensland restaurant in the awards’ 44-year history to win the trophy, after E’cco Bistro in 1997.

Agnes Restaurant in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

“It’s been an amazing three years,” he said.

“My partner and I are thinking of a bit of a coastal change so that was the driving force behind it.”

Under the group leadership of executive chef Ben Williamson, Mr Gregg elevated the restaurant to be the best in the country with his unique dishes all cooked using nothing but fire, flame and smoke.

Alex Gregg has resigned as head chef of Agnes restaurant.

Mr Gregg had previously worked at Melbourne’s acclaimed MoVida restaurant, before making the move to Queensland in 2021.

“[I’m] super happy with everything I achieved at Agnes – definitely finished up on a high note,” he said.

He said he has no plans “set in stone” for his next role, but will be looking to run something smaller, perhaps, on the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile at Agnes, sous chef Ryan Carlson has stepped up to take over the role as head chef.

“He will smash it I’m sure,” Mr Gregg said.

Originally published as Chef quits Australian Restaurant of the Year