Just In: Kylie Kwong Is Closing Lucky Kwong and Stepping Away From Running Restaurants
When she leaves Cantonese dining behind, the acclaimed restaurateur will focus on sharing the stories of First Nations people and multicultural communities through food.
After 24 years in the culinary industry, renowned chef and restaurateur Kylie Kwong is moving away from the fast-paced culinary world of restaurants — which does indeed mean that South Eveleigh's Australian-Cantonese gem Lucky Kwong will be shutting its doors at the end of June.
Instead, Kylie Kwong will be embarking on a journey to amplify the voices of Indigenous cultures through food and beverage. Kylie Kwong broke the news this morning via her personal Instagram.
"At the end of June, I am hanging up my restaurateur hat in order to make space for that which has become closest to my heart," said the chef in her Instagram post.
"Through the lens of food and interconnectedness, I wish to place all my energy, focus and time into helping share and amplify other peoples' stories, particularly the important voices of First Nations people and our multicultural communities, who make Australia the rich and diverse country that it is today."
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Over the course of her time in the food and drink space, Kylie Kwong collaborated with local organisations like Two Good Co., 107 Projects, Weave Youth Community, Redfern Jarjum College, the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, and the Womens' and Girls' Emergency Centre across two beloved Cantonese-centred venues. This new chapter aims to further foster these relationships and work alongside these organisations to give back to the community.
Kwong's legacy spans from Potts Point locale Billy Kwong, which closed in 2019, to Lucky Kwong in South Eveleigh. The revered chef has showered her fellow staff and the local community with gratitude for having venues such as these under her belt.
"For me, food and cooking is an exploratory and conscious act, not only a pleasure for the senses but also a platform for cultural exchange, storytelling and building community," continued the Australian chef via Instagram. "I want to go deeper and look forward to uncovering other peoples' rich narratives."
As for Lucky Kwong, you've got less than two months to secure your last meal. You'll want to book in sooner rather than later, though — reservations are sure to be snapped up quickly.
Find Lucky Kwong at 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh until the end of June. Head to the venue's website for more details — and you'll find the full announcement post at Kylie Kwong's personal Instagram.
