Best Chef Residencies in Sydney Right Now

What Is a Chef Residency

A chef residency is a temporary arrangement in which a guest chef takes over the kitchen of an established restaurant for a defined period. The residency can last from a single night to several months. The format has become increasingly popular in Sydney over the past three years as restaurants look for ways to differentiate themselves and give chefs a platform to experiment outside their own restaurants.

The Residencies to Book

The Moon Under Water in Surry Hills is hosting chef James Viles from the rural New South Wales town of Braidwood for a three-month residency from September to November. Viles is known for his foraging-focused cooking and his work at the two-hatted Biota restaurant in Braidwood. The residency will feature a 10-course degustation menu built around native Australian ingredients including wattleseed, finger lime, and mountain pepperberry. The price is $160 per person. Bookings are essential.

The Loft in Potts Point is hosting chef Thi Le from Melbourne for a two-week residency in October. Le is known for her modern Vietnamese cooking and her work at the one-hatted Anchovy restaurant in Melbourne. The residency will feature a six-course degustation menu built around Vietnamese ingredients including fish sauce, star anise, and galangal. The price is $140 per person.

The Wild Duck in Balmain is hosting chef Sean Moran from the Mornington Peninsula for a month-long residency from November to December. Moran is known for his work with seafood and his cooking at the two-hatted The Provenance restaurant in the Mornington Peninsula. The residency will feature a seven-course degustation menu built around local Sydney seafood including Sydney Rock Oysters, King George whiting, and southern bluefin tuna. The price is $150 per person.

The Kitchen at The Grounds in Alexandria is hosting chef Peter Gilmore from Quay for a one-night residency on 15 October. Gilmore is one of the most recognised chefs in Sydney and has led Quay to three hats. The one-night residency will feature a 12-course degustation menu that includes some of Gilmore's signature dishes including the famous "Chocolate Ethereal" dessert. The price is $250 per person. This residency will sell out quickly.

The Benefits for Restaurants and Chefs

Chef residencies benefit both the host restaurant and the guest chef. The host restaurant gains access to new ideas, new techniques, and a temporary boost in profile. The guest chef gains access to a new kitchen, a new audience, and the opportunity to experiment outside their own restaurant. The format also benefits diners, who get access to cooking that they would not otherwise be able to experience.

How to Book

Most chef residencies in Sydney require booking in advance. The Moon Under Water and The Loft both use the Resy booking platform. The Wild Duck accepts bookings by phone only. The Kitchen at The Grounds will release bookings on 1 October at 9am and is expected to sell out within hours.