Overview
Scott Pickett, one of Australia's leading chefs and most well-known restaurateurs, has appointed administrators for two companies associated with his hospitality empire. However, Pickett has insisted that the appointment does not impact his restaurants and that they will continue trading as usual.
The Scott Pickett Group operates a diverse range of award-winning restaurants across Melbourne. Pickett set up Estelle in 2011 and went on to establish a string of restaurants, including Matilda in 2018, Chancery Lane in 2020, and Smith St Bistro and Audrey's at The Continental Sorrento in 2022.
Just days before news of the administration broke, the group announced that Audrey's was set to close, to be replaced with Ember, a new fire-driven coastal diner. While Pickett will continue to oversee the food and beverage direction across The Continental, Jake Furst, the Chief Officer of Kickon Group, was announced to be taking the reins in the kitchen.
As reported by The Age, Pickett released a statement saying that while he needed to find an investor or strategic buyer, he wanted "to make it clear to everyone that the remaining companies in the group, which include my restaurants, are not affected. Our restaurants will continue to trade as usual and all bookings and vouchers will be honoured. All staff remain employed. Their wages, superannuation contributions and entitlements are fully up-to-date and will continue to be paid on time."
Images: Tim Grey, feature image, Simon Shiff.
The Scott Pickett Group Restaurants continue to trade as usual at the time of writing. Book a table now at Matilda for contemporary Australian food cooked over flames, or at Smith St Bistro for classic French fare.