Sydney, Australia's most anticipated restaurant opening this October is Mark Best's Pei Modern at the Four Seasons Hotel. After the roaring success of Pei Modern Melbourne, the Four Seasons looks forward to hosting the modern bistro concept along with its commitment to locally sourced, quality seasonal produced within their iconic property overlooking Sydney Harbour.
"Sydney never fails to excite. It’s the diversity of the food offering as well as the freshness and vibrancy of the restaurant scene."
Despite the quickly approaching October 15 opening, chef and owner Mark Best took the time to answer a handful of questions posed by an Andrew Harper staff member. The world-renowned chef of Pei Modern Melbourne and Marque Restaurant has a dizzyingly-impressive resume: "Josephine Pignolet Award" for most inspiring young chef, stages with Alain Passard at L'Arpege and Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir au Quat' Sais and a remarkable, numerous bevy of "Best" and "Top" restaurant list victories.
Our Andrew Harper staff member delved into Pei Modern's new Sydney outpost, the importance of Australia as a culinary destination and the exciting spring season opening in the interview below. Best stayed true to his hometown when asked his favorite food city in the world: "Sydney never fails to excite. It’s the diversity of the food offering as well as the freshness and vibrancy of the restaurant scene." We are certainly excited to see what this creative talent brings to the table upon the restaurant's opening – and we were lucky enough to receive a sneak preview of Best's offerings for the first menu!
Click here to learn more about Pei Modern Sydney.
Advance reservations can be made by phone (+61 (2) 9250 3160) or email.
ANDREW HARPER STAFF (AHS): What are you looking forward to most with running Pei Modern at the Four Seasons Sydney?
MARK BEST (MB): It’s a wonderful location in a beautiful and iconic modernist space. Four Seasons gives its lustre of luxe, glamour and sophistication to our very earthy and natural cuisine style. It’s a great mix.
AHS: What do you think sets Australia apart as a culinary destination?
MB: Firstly the produce - abundant, sun kissed and incredibly fresh. It is also the fresh take on cuisine that a young food-obsessed culture can bring to the mix. No tradition but no rules either. We also have an incredible multicultural society that informs the choices we make. Chefs and customers eat a very varied cultural diet and that allows us to cook from a very broad palette of ideas, and ingredients.
AHS: Did you take any special considerations in opening Pei Modern Sydney in your hometown?
MB: Pei Modern is tailored to Sydney, its location, the customers and the relationships we have in place with our producers. This is definitely a bespoke operation.
AHS: What ingredients are you excited to cook with your October opening?
MB: We are opening in spring and a time of abundance. I’m very excited to be cooking from the gardens of our amazing organic gardener, Tim Johnstone. Things like bronze fennel, the 'Mortgage lifter tomato', beetroots of all kinds, will be paired with incredible local seafood like giant Yamba prawns, organic chicken, and Flinders Island lamb.
AHS: Can you give us a sneak peak of items that will premiere on your Pei Modern Sydney menu?
MB: Just for you, 'Wood Fired diamond Clams with Mussel & Seaweed Butter,' 'Chicken on a string,' and our already famous 'Cassarece with Reggiano & Chicken Dumplings' and 'Doughnuts with Blood Orange Curd.'
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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