Crown Resorts and MasterChef Australia are setting the table to welcome fans and foodies to a new pop-up restaurant and unique, dining experience called ALUMNI at Crown Melbourne – the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
ALUMNI will see a rotating cast of MasterChef Australia alumni at the pop-up restaurant for a limited time, serving dishes from the cuisine they are best known for.
Each ALUMNI chef will take up rotating residency for three weeks within the exclusive surrounds of Crown’s Evergreen restaurant and its impressive city and Yarra River views.
This will include:
- 16 May – 2 June: Kishwar Chowdhury, 2021 Masterchef finalist
- 6-23 June: Callum Hann, 2010 Masterchef finalist
- 27 June -14 July: Khanh Ong, 2018 and 2020 Masterchef
- 15 July – 4 August: A surprise MasterChef Australia chef who will be announced in late June.
Each chef’s residency will feature a four-course set menu for $150 per person and $75 for children.
Marty Benson, Director of Content, Melbourne, Endemol Shine Australia said: “Showcasing diverse and talented Australian cooks is at the heart of MasterChef Australia and ALUMNI is a wonderful celebration of our legacy and success stories.
“MasterChef Australia is a life changing experience with so many of our contestants carving out entirely new careers so it’s wonderful to see the ongoing impact of our show through the ALUMNI dining experience.
“And just like MasterChef Australia, ALUMNI will celebrate food from around the world with Kishwar, Callum and Khanh reflecting their cultures through their unique cuisine.”
Kishwar Chowdhury said: “I am so excited to be the first MasterChef off the rank for the ALUMNI at Crown residency! I’ve curated a special menu featuring some of my signature dishes, showcased across India and Bangladesh, including the dessert that took me to the MasterChef finale. I’m so excited to be bringing this menu to Crown Melbourne to share with you all!”
Callum Hann said: “MasterChef set me on the path towards the career I have today; from the age of 19 it’s been a part of my life and story so I’m very excited to showcase my love for Aussie produce and take the best of what’s in season to create an unforgettable menu. As one of the earliest MasterChef alumni, I’m also super proud to show my kids where the dream began.”
Khanh Ong said: “I’m super excited to be part of this amazing event at Crown. I’ve put together a menu that really brings out the best of my Vietnamese heritage and mixes it with some fine dining flair. We’re talking bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and little twists along the way that I hope everyone will love!”
Bookings for each ALUMNI chef will open in stages, with reservations for Kishwar Chowdhury’s Bangladeshi and regional Indian menu now available.
For more information and ALUMNI bookings visit crownmelbourne.com.au
