Chef Joseph Vargetto leaves Cinque Terre restaurant at Chadstone Shopping Centre

The chef behind the launch of Chadstone’s new Italian restaurant has left after three months — but his exit was always expected.

Joey Vargetto and David Mackintosh at Cinque Terre. Picture: David Caird

The chef behind the first restaurant to open in Chadstone’s new foodie hub has left the project — but that was always the plan.

Sicilian chef Joey Vargetto’s consulting contract at Cinque Terre came to an end this month, three-months after creating the food direction for the Italian Rivera-inspired restaurant.

Business partner and restaurateur David Mackintosh said Vargetto’s departure was always expected.

“It was a three month consulting contract from December 1 to end of February,” he said.

“Joe was keen to pursue other things and I enjoyed the three months we worked together. He introduced us to some great people and whatever he does next will be awesome — we’re all good, all happy and it’s business as usual.”

Cinque Terre opened on December 1 last year and was the first restaurant to launch at Chadstone’s premium food and entertainment precinct, The Social Quarter.

Next month even more restaurants, cafes and bars will open in the space; something Mackintosh said will take Cinque Terre to a new level.

“It’ll bring a fresh shot of excitement and energy,” he said.

“Everyone at Cinque Terre is looking forward to the outside space of Social Quarter opening and presenting the full vision with stripy umbrellas and sofas and gardens. Until then, the space has always felt like it was half finished.”

Vargetto and Mackintosh launched the restaurant before Christmas and had a bumper trade in the lead up to New Year.

Mackintosh said the team was actively recruiting for a new head chef.

Vargetto is behind Kew stalwart Mister Bianco and last year opened the short-lived CBD restaurant Cucina Povera Vino Vero with Iceberg’s owner Maurice Terzini.

He’s understood to be working on new projects to open later this year.