Celebrity chef George Calombaris to join Sydney Greek restaurant Alpha as creative partner
Celebrity chef George Calombaris will take up the reins at popular Greek restaurant Alpha next month as creative partner.
The former MasterChef judge will head north to Sydney and will have big shoes to fill Alpha’s founding chef, Peter Conistis left the Castlereagh Street restaurant.
“What Peter’s done for Greek food in Australia is amazing,” Calombaris told Good Food.
“I’m nervous as hell,” he says. “I come here with so much respect, joining somewhere steeped in history.”
Calombaris was lured by a new start in a fresh city and this will be his first restaurant venture in Sydney, excluding fast food souvlaki bar Jimmy Grants. He will spend two alternating weeks in Sydney per month for six months before deciding on his next move.
He was also lured by the Greek surrounds.
“The Greek consulate is across the road, there are Greek men playing backgammon behind [Alpha], it has a great feel,” he said.
Calombaris is keen to create “Fresh, bright, light, yummy, super-interesting, not cliched”, Greek food.
“I want the place to be fun. I’m into fun dining, not fine dining.”
Alpha opened in 2013, with chef Peter Conistis at the helm to the beginning of this year. It is now owned by Public Hospitality, behind El Primo Sanchez, Maybe Sammy, Ricos Tacos.
It is likely that Public will draw on Maybe Sammy bar team to advise on Alpha’s drinks and bar.
Alpha may also get a raw bar, new oven for fresh bread and even a “Greek karaoke room”. It will also see Calombaris bring in general manager Joey Commerford (The Press Club, Vue de Monde) up from Melbourne.
They will work with the existing Alpha team, including head chef Alessandro Mandelli, on a new menu which won’t be unveiled until next month.
Jonathan Jackson, 11th March 2024
