Some of Australia’s most highly regarded chefs and food identities including Matt Moran, Clayton Wells, Palisa Anderson and Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo will lead the extended food and beverage options across the expanded Art Gallery of New South Wales when the new building opens in December.
Visitors will be able to experience two new dining options upon the completion of the Sydney Modern Project. The Fresh Collective has also been reappointed to manage the restaurant, cafe, kiosk and event and catering services across the Art Gallery.
Leading the dining options in the Art Gallery’s new building, MOD. Dining by Clayton Wells, will be an all-day relaxed experience located on lower level 1 in a light-filled space featuring views over both the internal atrium and Woolloomooloo Bay with outdoor seating on a harbour terrace. Clayton Wells is known for his Chippendale establishments Automata and A1 Canteen which have consistently made Australia’s top restaurant lists. His menu at MOD. Dining will reflect multicultural Sydney, offering creative, edgy and diverse dishes using Australia’s best produce and an all-Australian wine list. The menu will include items such as a fried prawn sandwich with old bay mayo; wild rice bowl with red cabbage kimchi, soy glazed pumpkin, pickled wood ears and mustard greens, lamb shoulder with za’atar, beetroot hummus, tahini, pickles and pita; and coconut sorbet with black sesame and freeze-dried plum.
Visitors will also encounter Kiosk, a casual takeaway option situated in the new building’s outdoor Welcome Plaza. Kiosk’s menu has been developed by Gamilaroi elder Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo and will highlight Indigenous Australian ingredients with light snacks and sweet treats including cinnamon morning buns with Daintree chocolate ganache and wattle seed praline; a white wine, chicken and lemon myrtle pie, and ice creams including Dunoon macadamia choc-tops and Kensington Pride mango ice-cream sandwiches. Aunty Beryl is a sought-after expert on Indigenous ingredients and how they are used in cooking. She currently works with the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Redfern providing hospitality training and mentoring to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Art Gallery and The Fresh Collective continue their partnership with chef and restaurateur Matt Moran, with the popular Art Gallery Restaurant, Crafted by Matt Moran in the existing building. Since opening in March 2021, Crafted by Matt Moran has quickly become one of the city’s most iconic all-day restaurant experiences and reflects Moran’s signature style showcasing locally sourced produce and premium Australian meat and seafood through a light, Mediterranean-inspired menu guided by the seasons. Guests can continue to enjoy special menus from Moran aligned with featured artists and exhibitions.
Australian food identities including Palisa Anderson and Mindy Woods will be involved in putting together special menus and pop-up activations across the year for The Gallery Cafe, located downstairs in the existing building, which remains a welcoming space for visitors.
Art Gallery of New South Wales director of development John Richardson welcomed the continued collaboration with The Fresh Collective in the expanded collection of dining spaces across both buildings.
‘We are delighted to renew our partnership with The Fresh Collective who have brilliantly led the food, beverage, event and catering offerings at the Art Gallery since January 2021. Their innovative team has delivered diverse dining and event experiences to our visitors and guests, and we look forward to seeing what inventive new things we can achieve with them in the exciting spaces available in our new home for art,’ Richardson said.
The Fresh Collective’s Managing Director, Peter McCloskey said: ‘We are thrilled to continue working with the wonderful Art Gallery team on the launch of the Sydney Modern Project. This opportunity allows us to expand our presence and profile by adding two new venues that sit within the Art Gallery’s new building, continue operating the venues within the existing building, as well as additional event destinations.’
The Art Gallery Restaurant, Crafted by Matt Moran, and The Gallery Cafe are currently open for guests in the existing building. MOD. Dining and Kiosk will welcome guests in the Art Gallery’s new building when it opens to the public on 3 December. |
