1800 Lasagne enters administration but keeps the doors open – for now
Melbourne’s beloved lasagne hotspot, 1800 Lasagne, has, as of 30 July, entered voluntary administration, leaving fans of the popular Thornbury eatery wondering what’s next for the cult favourite.
The venue, famous for its unapologetically niche Italian comfort food, began life in 2020 as a home-delivered lasagne service from founder Joey Kellock’s kitchen during COVID-19 lockdowns. It wasn’t long before the hype turned into something bigger, with a bricks-and-mortar restaurant opening later that year on High Street in Thornbury.
Since then, 1800 Lasagne has earned itself a loyal following – and some serious acclaim. In 2023, it became Melbourne’s first lasagne-focused restaurant to earn a prestigious chef’s hat. Food critic Besha Rodell called it, “simply nothing about it not to love.” That same year, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver visited while filming MasterChef in Melbourne and described the venue: “Jazz was playing, the wine was flowing. Nice energy with the staff.”
But despite the accolades, administrators Todd Gammel and Matthew Levesque-Hocking of HLB Mann Judd were recently appointed to take over operations.
In a post to its social media channels, the 1800 Lasagne team confirmed the news, describing it as “an exciting but challenging time”.
“1800 Lasagne has entered into voluntary administration, and we are working closely with the administration team to streamline and restructure our model to ensure we take the best steps while moving forward,” the statement read.
“Our loyal suppliers and our beloved staff are and will continue to be our highest priority through this process.”
The good news? It’s business as usual – for now. The restaurant says trading hours and deliveries remain unchanged.
“1800 Lasagne has always been about people, passion, and plates of love – and that hasn’t changed,” the team said, thanking the community for its continued support and urging locals to keep backing the hospitality industry.
There’s no word yet on the fate of Kellock’s other planned venues, including a sandwich shop (Cinque) and a live-music bar (Dopolavoro), both slated for High Street in Northcote.
For now, the administrators are reviewing the business to determine the next steps, which could include restructuring, a sale, or potential liquidation.
Jonathan Jackson, 6th August 2025
