MasterChef favourite launches new Barossa-based restaurant
One of MasterChef’s favourite contestants, Callum Hann will launch his first restaurant in his home town of the Barossa Valley.
Hann and business partner Themis Chryssidis, are set to open the doors to their new Mediterranean restaurant, Lou’s Place, this Friday, at the Lou Miranda Estate cellar door in Rowland Flat.
Even before the doors are open at Lou’s Place, there’s talk of a second restaurant launching in the not too distant future.
“It’s something we’ve thought about for a long time. Themis and I were pretty close to tears the other day when we realised we were opening for real … it’s pretty special,” said Hann.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather do it. The fact it is in a place where I grew up … and where I have so many family and friends, it just feels perfect.”
Hann was hesitant to take on this new venture, particularly due to the pandemic. However, Themis changed his mind.
“Themis listed off about 100 reasons why now was a good time and pitched this vision that combined family, friends, good food, good wine, and a family owned and operated Italian winery that I just couldn’t say no,” Hann said.
Hann and dietitian Chryssidis operate Sprout Cooking School together. They opened in 2011.
Chrissidis has expressed that working with a family-owned boutique winery was a “match made in heaven”.
“It just felt right. The Lou Miranda Estate family have been amazing to work with and they share our vision,” said Chryssidis.
“For us food, wine, family and friends are the most important things in life so Lou’s Place will be a collection of these things.”
The venue will initially be open for lunch Friday-Sunday.
Hann and Chryssidis have also revealed their plans to open a second restaurant in Adelaide’s CBD, with Chryssidis confirming they will open up an outdoor bar and a “refined” modern Australian restaurant on the ground floor of the ANZ building by the end of January.
“Right now the Adelaide CBD is in struggle town. We want to bring some life back to the CBD, we want to bring people back there and make Adelaide a vibrant, bright city,” Chryssidis said.
“It’s going to be a place where you can come together, have a coffee or a glass of wine, or catch up socially with friends for a meal.”
Their Sprout business which offers a cooking school and catering amongst other services, will continue as usual.
Irit Jackson, 9th August 2020
