Foodies delight at Chin Chin’s Geelong arrival, 1000 on the waiting list

The news iconic Melbourne restaurant Chin Chin is coming to the Cattery has made foodies paw-sitively giddy, with more than 1000 already on the waiting list.

Chef Benjamin Cooper will be making the trip down the highway for Club Chin Chin Picture: Brad Fleet

The news iconic Melbourne restaurant Chin Chin is coming to the Cattery has made foodies paw-sitively giddy, with more than 1000 people already on the waiting list.

The Asian eatery will be opening a pop-up, called Club Chin Chin, at Kardinia Park late next month.

The Geelong Advertiser on Saturday revealed Lucas Restaurants, which operates several Melbourne eateries including Chin Chin, is coming to the stadium.

The group has since been inundated with interest.

While bookings are not yet open, foodies can sign up to a mailing list on Chin Chin’s website and be sent the latest news.

Lucas Restaurants chief executive, Chris Lucas, who hails from Belmont and is a self-described “crazy Cats fan”, said his team had been “blown away” by the response.

“We expected it to be big but not this big,” he said.

“There is a waitlist of more than 1000 eager guests ready to visit, we just can’t wait to get the doors open.

“The love for Chin Chin that we’ve seen from fans in Geelong and the surrounding regions has been incredible … having a world class restaurant like this in my home town certainly has got the locals buzzing.”

Phones have been ringing off the hook, Mr Lucas said.

“The Geelong Football Club team said their phones weren’t even this busy for (the 2022) grand final.

“Everyone wants to know when they can get a seat.”

Excitement was evident on social media, with many commenters welcoming Chin Chin to the Cattery.

Geelong Cats AFL player Patrick Dangerfield with restaurateur Chris Lucas (right) and chef Benjamin Cooper from Chin Chin. Picture: Brad Fleet

“Can’t believe my favourite Melbourne restaurant is opening in my home town,” one wrote.

It’s the restaurant’s first dip into regional waters, after Chin Chin Sydney opened in 2017, and is the first partnership where “an entire restaurant is being moved into a grandstand”.

The 200-seat restaurant will sit inside the recently opened Joel Selwood stand, and will run seven services across four days.

Chin Chin’s executive chef, Benjamin Cooper, will make the trip down the highway – with exclusive Geelong dishes to be revealed.

Originally published as Foodies delight at Chin Chin’s Geelong arrival, 1000 on the waiting list