Neil Perry closes Eleven Bridge
Celebrity chef Neil Perry is closing his Sydney fine diner Eleven Bridge.
The restaurant was the last surviving remnant of Perry’s Rockpool empire which was sold to private equity-backed Urban Purveyor Group. Market speculation had the sale price at $60 million.
The Rockpool Dining Group, which is spread across four states and has more than over 3000 employees, is planning to turn Eleven Bridge into a new restaurant opening mid-2017 but details at this stage are scarce.
Closing Eleven Bridge brings to an end the chapter in Perry’s 28-year career as a restaurant proprietor in partnership with his cousin Trish Richards.
But Perry, who turns 60 this year, is still continuing.
His Qantas consultancy is still going strong after 20 years, and he is now working as a consultant for David Jones, under a separate entity as Rockpool Consulting.
Perry is now the Rockpool Dining Group’s chief brand and culinary officer.
He is also putting a lot of focus into Japanese cuisine, reworking menus for Sake, all part of its roll-out of a pret-a-manger takeaway spinoff called Sake Jr, as well as more Burger Projects.
And he has plans for a top-end Cantonese restaurant.
So Eleven Bridge will shut its doors on May 13. Staff will have the opportunity to join the new group.
Meanwhile, Perry executive chef executive chef Phil Wood is striking out on his own after winning awards, including Gourmet Traveller’s 2016 restaurant of the year.
Wood said his work at Rockpool/Eleven Bridge was special.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure and honour to add to the legend of an iconic restaurant in Australia,” Wood told Business Insider.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Neil and Trish. They have taught me a lot about the industry, for which I’ll be forever indebted to them.
“After eight years, it’s time for me to seek a new challenge and broaden my career.”
by Leon Gettler, March 16th 2017
