Rodney Dunn takes centre court with Agrarian Kitchen Eatery & Store in New Norfolk
A DERELICT ward at the former Willow Court mental hospital has been transformed into New Norfolk’s newest epicurean attraction.
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A DERELICT ward at the former Willow Court mental hospital has been transformed into New Norfolk’s newest epicurean attraction.
Run by Rodney Dunn and wife Séverine Demanet, the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery & Store has welcomed its first special guests today ahead of opening to the public tomorrow.
It will follow the same paddock-to-plate principles as the couple’s acclaimed Lachlan cooking school.
Mr Dunn, who moved to Tasmania about nine years ago, was an apprentice under internationally renowned chef Tetsuya Wakuda and formerly food editor at Australian Gourmet Traveller.
He said since the renovation, the 1925-built Bronte House had been transformed.
“If you had asked me if I was scared of ghosts before this, I would have said yes. But the more time I have spent in the building and on the site, the more comfortable I am,” he said.
“I saw the building about nine years ago when we first moved here and it was completely derelict and it was a bit freaky but with it all done up it has a different feeling.”
Mr Dunn said his inspiration for the venture was to offer similar experiences to the cooking school but to make them more accessible.
“At Lachlan we get loads of people coming out thinking that we might be a restaurant or calling asking for a table for four and we have to say ‘oh sorry it’s just cooking classes’.”
“We really want to give everyone the experience of the classes ... but it’s also an opportunity to give something more to New Norfolk.”
The kitchen will be led by Ali Currey-Voumard, who has returned to her home state after a stint in Melbourne working at eateries including the Builders Arms Hotel and Cumulus Inc.
Adi Ruiz, who hails from Bulletin Place in Sydney’s Circular Quay, will be in charge of the drinks menu.
Former Garagistes co-owner Katrina Birchmeier will head up the management to keep everything ticking along.
The Eatery will be open from Friday to Monday from 11am to 5pm, as well as Friday and Saturday night for dinner from 6pm.
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