Chef Phil Wood to leave Pt Leo Estate

He put Pt Leo Estate on the culinary map, but chef Phil Wood is leaving the venue and the state thanks to our snap lockdowns and quick-to-close borders.

Pt Leo Estate will lose its culinary director Phil Wood on March 28.

One of the state’s top dining venues is losing its acclaimed head chef due to Victoria’s continuing lockdowns.

Pt Leo Estate culinary director Phil Wood has announced he’ll leave the Mornington Peninsula venue and return to Sydney.

“We tried to be good Victorians, but last year really took its toll, not being able to see friends and family.

The situation is still so uncertain (with border closures), it’s hard to be apart from family,” he said.

“It’s a really hard decision, it’s been an awesome time and in another time (my wife and I) would’ve stayed.”

Culinary director Phil Wood Pt Leo Estate, Merricks, Mornington Peninsula

Chef Phil Wood moved to the Mornington Peninsula from Sydney in 2017 to lead the kitchen team at the estate that along with its sculpture park, winery and cellar door, features two dining options – the bustling Pt Leo restaurant and a refined 45-seat fine diner called Laura.

It was a gamble that paid off for the chef who was Neil Perry’s longtime right-hand man, with Pt Leo being named the number 1 restaurant in the state in the 2018 delicious. 100.

Wood championed Mornington Peninsula produce including Ryan Sharpley’s mushrooms. Picture- Nicole Cleary

Wood’s elegant and approachable fare made a star of Mornington Peninsula produce, with his menus featuring such dishes as fried Flinders mussel sandwiches, local mushrooms “glazed like a chicken wing” and Red Hill cherry granita.

“The Peninsula is a remarkable part of Australia, and I will miss the amazing producers, growers and winemakers I have met,” Wood said.

“It was always my intention to make the most of the region and it’s been great to know the farmers. If you’re in a regional area you should promote that area. I’m lucky this is such a wonderful area,” he told the Herald Sun in 2018. “Victorians are such a wonderful dining crowd. They appreciate honest, tasty food.”

The bustling Pt Leo restaurant

Potato duchess at Laura

Pt. Leo Estate General Manager Roger Lancia paid tribute to Wood’s contribution in making Pt Leo one of Australia’s top dining destinations.

“We were incredibly lucky to lure Phil to Victoria four years ago and he played a huge part in putting Pt. Leo Estate on the map as one of Australia’s best food, wine and cultural destinations,” he said.

Wood said he was proud to be leaving the dining destination in such capable hands, with Ainslie Lubbock running service, Andrew Murch leading the wine program and new sous chef Joseph Espuga in the kitchen.

“Things are good, the team’s great and service is firing. It’s been a great reopening (since November).”

Wood will cook his last meal at Pt Leo on March 28.