Rick Stein on Opening a Restaurant in Coogee
Some celebrity chefs divide opinion, and others appeal only to a niche crowd. Yet Rick Stein has managed to win over nearly everyone. The much-loved British chef and TV personality has been part of Australia’s east coast dining world for more than 15 years. His frequent visits have made him feel like an honorary Australian—and locals wouldn’t have it any other way.
Expanding a Coastal Legacy
This summer, Stein is set to liven up Sydney’s dining scene once again with his signature approach to elegant, unfussy seafood. He already runs two successful restaurants in New South Wales: Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook, opened in 2009, and Bannisters Port Stephens, launched in 2018.
The New Coogee Venture
After several quiet years with no new projects, Stein surprised fans when he and his wife Sarah (known as Sas) announced their next chapter: a 224-seat restaurant named Rick Stein at Coogee Beach, located inside the new InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach.
Partnership and Professional Growth
“The truth of it is that the two Bannisters hotels and my restaurants were taken over by Salter Brothers in October last year,” Stein says. “And that was a bit of a surprise. But actually starting to work with Salter Brothers, I realised how professional they were and how much I liked working with them.”
His enthusiasm for collaboration suggests that this partnership might bring fresh energy to both his existing venues and the upcoming Coogee project.
Author’s Summary
Rick Stein returns to Sydney with a fresh seaside restaurant in Coogee, blending his relaxed seafood style with a new partnership that promises growth and innovation.