Neil Perry comes to David Jones
Neil Perry is working hard on his latest venture.
With the David Jones’ deluxe foodhall at Westfield Bondi Junction opening on August 3, the celebrity chef is adding his personal touch.
The food hall will be the launching pad for David Jones’ $100 million strategy to put the up-market department store on the Australian food map.
So as part of that strategy, it headhunted Perry to be the culinary mastermind and put it all together.
The Rockpool founder said the “purpose-built” blueprint project at Bondi Junction would set the direction for David Jones food brand.
The old food hall on the ground floor has been torn down and replaced with a foodie Mecca featuring oyster, sushi and salad bars, a cafe, formal restaurant, butcher, fishmonger, bakery, fresh produce, a grocery store and more.
“I don’t think Australia has ever seen a food hall with such a commitment to food service as this one,” Perry told the Wentworth Courier.
“You are going to see produce treated like jewellery and we are going to have experts in their field behind the counters.”
He said the food offering ranging from sustainably sourced local produce to ready-to-go meals to premium pasta sauces from Italy will be a “taste testing” for the retail products on offer with meat, cheese and dairy for sale in the butcher, fish shop or cheese counter available at the cafe or restaurant.
“It’s really making sure we are showcasing our wares and we are doing the simple things well so if you’re having an oyster, it’s been freshly shucked for you and if you’re having a steak, it’s been dry aged and cooked on the grill,” Perry told the Wentworth Courier.
“I think this is going to be one of the most exciting things to happen in the eastern suburbs for a long time.
“It will allow people to experience fantastic food at every level from a simple cafe offering right up to a premium restaurant experience.”
by Leon Gettler, July 19th 2017
Image Credit: Landini Associates
