Adelaide hospitality empire collapses: liquidators probe pre-sale asset transfers at 13 venues

Liquidators have moved to wind up 11 companies linked to one of Adelaide's largest hospitality groups, and are now examining whether 13 restaurants, cafes and dessert bars were sold at fair value before the businesses collapsed.

The Chahoud Group companies behind the venues were placed into liquidation or administration following an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) audit that uncovered unpaid tax debts. Before liquidators were appointed, the businesses and assets tied to the venues had already been transferred to related companies. These transfers will now form part of the liquidators' investigations.

All 13 venues remain open and trading while the review is carried out.

Nathan Schwarz of Clifton Hall, the appointed liquidator, said the pre-appointment sales would be scrutinised as part of the administration and liquidation process.
"We have been advised that the businesses and assets of the companies were sold prior to our appointments. The transactions will be investigated as part of the administrations and liquidations, as applicable, and any material findings will be reported to creditors and other relevant stakeholders in accordance with our statutory obligations." 

Schwarz said the ATO audit that triggered the appointments involved "unanticipated tax assessments," and that the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation is understood to be the largest creditor across all 11 companies. He said it was too early to put a figure on the total debts owed.

Venues under review

• Da Vinci Ristorante, North Adelaide
• Cafe Palazzo, North Adelaide
• Pellegrini Cafe, North Adelaide
• Cafe Paparazzi, Unley
• Sorrelli Cafe Ristorante, Ingle Farm
• Maranello Cafe, Salisbury
• Hanson Pizza Bar, Woodville North
• St. Louis bars — North Adelaide, Mawson Lakes, Tea Tree Plaza
• Ah-Sai-Yee bars — North Adelaide, Marion, Rundle Mall
  
  

Chahoud Group's wider portfolio of more than 20 venues across Adelaide and Melbourne — including Byblos on O'Connell Street, Li Beirut in Prospect, The Original Pancake Kitchen and the newly opened Stories & More in Hyde Park — is not affected by the liquidation.

Jonathan Jackson, 9^th September 2026