Acclaimed Australian chef Will Meyrick will showcase his culinary musing with the opening of Monsoon in Hong Kong this July.
The global epidemic, and the resulting travel bans, has made life tricky for jet set chefs like Will Meyrick. However, employing conferencing technology and installing a trusted prodigy in place, the popular Aussie cook is set to open Monsoon, his second Hong Kong restaurant, at Elements Mall, in the coming weeks.
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Known for his passion for the flavours and textures of Southeast Asia, Meyrick taps into his extensive travels and, in place of setting up the new kitchen in person (the chef is presently stuck at his home in Perth), will reach into the archives of his own memories and adventures of travelling through Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia to present a menu of authentic comfort dishes, each laced with the finest ingredients and given a modern twist.
Chef Meyrick’s passion for the culinary culture and rich heritage of Southeast Asia is what really drives his creativity and sets him apart as a chef and restaurateur. Best known for his tenures at Sydney gastronomic icons Longrain and Jimmy Liks, Meyrick will cook vicariously through trusted Head Chef Gede Budiana, an expert on Indonesian and Southeast Asian cuisine who has been working for Chef Meyrick for over 17 years.
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Budiana, who worked with Meyrick at Bali’s flagship fine-dining restaurant Sarong, Ubud’s acclaimed Hujan Locale, and at the island’s original Mama San (the Central outlet of which was the chef’s first foray in Hong Kong’s dining scene), will lead Monsoon’s culinary team, with inspiration from Will piped in via regular video conferencing and through a curated collection of video tutorials that will guide the team through his new creations and ensure authenticity and consistency in his absence.
“This is going to be the new ‘normal’ for the restaurant business,” says chef Meyrick. “We have to be willing to adopt new technology and be flexible when it’s just not practical to travel to Hong Kong to train the team in person. If anything, this is a return to the basics as we slow down the process, document all the recipes, and create an archive that the culinary team will always be able to refer to. Chef Budiana knows my style intimately, and I have faith that he will only exceed my expectations.”
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Catering to 100 guests, Monsoon will combine inventive and inspiring takes on classic Southeast Asian fare, which will be served in exotic and vibrant Art Deco interiors reminiscent of the colonial architecture still lovingly preserved across the region. The main dining room will be complemented by a private dining room and an elegant bar area where guests can sample from the restaurant’s comprehensive cocktail and wine lists.
In addition to the new restaurant, the Aussie chefs’ new tech-driven approach will also benefit foodies around the world as he prepares to launch Monsoon at Home, a series of insightful online cooking demonstrations that will be distributed via the restaurant’s social media channels so that avid fans will be able to create their favourite Monsoon dishes at home.
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