Former Raspberry Fool chef Gail Sellin to join the Fern Tree Tavern, Steve Cumper joins Pigeon Hole

A popular Hobart chef will soon take the reins at the Fern Tree Tavern following the departure of Steve Cumper.

Chef Gail Sellin at Raspberry Fool. Picture Nikki Davis-Jones

A FAVOURITE Hobart chef will soon take the reins at the Fern Tree Tavern following the departure of Steve Cumper.

Gail Sellin was previously the owner of popular city cafe Raspberry Fool, which closed in January last year.

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Fern Tree Tavern owner Leanne Minshull said today she was excited to welcome Sellin on-board.

“We’re still going to have cakes but we’re also going to have more of a focus on classical, pub-style food,” Ms Minshull said.

Fern Tree Tavern's new chef Steve Cumper. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Cumper will now join the kitchen at West Hobart’s Pigeon Hole Cafe.

“It was too good an offer to pass up,” he said.

“I’ve always loved the Pigeon Hole.”

He said he was drawn to the cafe because of its paddock to plate ethos and connection with its owners’ farm.

“I’ve always admired what [owners] Richard and Belinda [Weston] have done with the cafe.”

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Cumper, who was part of a revitalisation of the Fern Tree Tavern, also wished that business the best.

“I hope that the business continues to forge ahead and be even more successful,” he said.

“The priests come and go, but the church will always be there.”

Cumper was the owner of Cygnet’s Red Velvet Lounge which was devastated by fire in 2015. He sold the cafe in 2016, almost a year after it reopened.

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