Superstar chef Crenn to launch in Melbourne

Dominique Crenn, one of the highest-profile chefs in the world, is to open a restaurant in Melbourne.

French-born Crenn will open Petit Crenn in partnership with Australian hospitality operators Salter Brothers next month in the Rialto building at 495 Collins St.

Petit Crenn will bring together French hospitality and Melbourne's vibrant dining culture, Salter Brothers said in a media release.

"Petit Crenn comes from my own life, from the cafes in France where you can sit for five minutes or five hours and always feel welcome," Crenn said. 

"I've wanted to bring that feeling to Australia for a long time." 

As the chef behind the three-Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, Crenn was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2024. Her portfolio also includes Bar Crenn, Café Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas and Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn in Beverly Hills.

The new eatery will offer everything from morning coffees to late-night gatherings.

Crenn says the restaurant will reflect her approach to everyday French bistro cooking; drawn from her childhood memories, shaped by place and community, and guided by seasonality and simplicity.

The intimate 40-seat venue has been designed by Crenn herself in partnership with Salter Brothers’ design team. It draws on the landscapes and coastline of Brittany, her home region in France.

On the menu, guests can expect signatures including steak tartare with egg yolk jam and sauce au poivre, alongside a croque madame with jambon and gruyère. Seasonal tartines, composed salads, and daily French classics will complete an all-day menu.

Matthew Butcher, director of culinary at Salter Brothers, said “This is a landmark moment for Australian dining. Dominique Crenn is one of the world’s most celebrated culinary voices and to bring her vision to Australia for the first time is incredibly special.

"Petit Crenn reflects exactly the type of partnership we are focused on building; globally recognised talent, a distinctive hospitality concept, and a city with the energy and appetite to embrace it. Melbourne is the right place, and this is the right moment.”

See www.petitcrenn.com.au

Star chef rings in the changes in the Barossa

 

Star chef Jake Kellie has rung in the changes following his recent appointment as culinary director at Orleana, the signature dining space at historic country house estate and hotel Kingsford The Barossa. 

Kellie's first à la carte menu invites diners to explore the next chapter in the estate’s story with Kellie showcasing some of South Australia’s best growers, farmers and producers.

Open to both the public and residents, the restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows and a modern, elegant interior.

“At Orleana, our approach is deeply rooted in South Australia’s seasonal ingredients, and our menu showcases the distinctive flavours of the Barossa," Kellie says. 

"By celebrating the incredible produce on our doorstep and creating an immersive dining experience, we’re able to share the story of this beautiful region. 

"I’m proud of what we’ve created for our guests and excited to continue evolving our offer with new wedding menus, special offers for locals and so much more."

The chef honed his craft at Burnt Ends in Singapore before founding arkhé in Adelaide in 2021.



Think starters offerings like Barossa crudité with smoked eggplant and macadamia; zucchini flowers with Spencer Gulf prawn and sauce diavolo; and Two Gulfs crab with brown butter sauce and warmed brioche. 

Highlight mains include Mayura Station Wagyu rump cap with house-made mustard; roasted Lyndoch duck with caramelised orange and choux farcis; and Ferguson Rock lobster with shio koji beurre blanc and shellfish oil.

Desserts, meanwhile, include a chocolate macaron filled with pistachio ganache and pickled cumquats, and a Comté cheese tart (although the Jura is not exactly local).

Orleana’s beverage program features Barossa wines alongside wider Australian and international favourites. So names including Seppeltsfield, Penfolds, Henschke and Langmeil.

“This menu showcases Jake’s technical expertise and creativity, grounded in a deep respect for the region’s finest offerings," says General manager Martin Hamilton said:

" We’re excited for what’s ahead in 2026, with the team already preparing a raft of special events across the estate, which we look forward to sharing with both locals and visitors to South Australia.

Orleana is open for lunch Saturday to Sunday and dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

If Kingsford Homestead looks familiar, it was known as Drover’s Run over eight seasons of popular Australian TV series McLeod’s Daughters.   

See www.kingsfordbarossa.com.au