Head Chef over at The Lady Hampshire and formerly a member of the Baba's Place team, Brendan King is already carving out his mark as one of Sydney's most exciting young chefs at the age of 25. Derrel's is his nostalgic neighbourhood diner in Camperdown.
Derrel's comes to Parramatta Road from King in partnership with PUBLIC Hospitality (The Empire, Oxford House, Maybe Sammy) right next door to The Lady Hampshire. King's former colleagues at Baba's Place Creative also lent a helping hand in nailing that lived-in suburban energy.
A bright pink countertop, an office panel ceiling, menus printed on the back of Woman's Weekly covers from the 80s, Bend It Like Beckham playing proudly on the 2000s-era TV and an abundance of secondhand furniture all transport you back to a trip to your grandparents or your best friend's house for dinner after school.
Inspired by his grandfather Derrel's passion for Indian home cooking, King has created an inviting casual eatery and takeaway spot designed to provide affordable feeds to Inner West residents and complement The Hampshire's offerings.
The menu is kept simple. There are a few snacks and share plates like samosa chaat and tandoori wings, a trio of kathi rolls that pile tandoori chicken or hara bhara onto flaky paratha flatbread, and a selection of curries paired with rice, roti, lime, onion and chutney.
You can also order hot chips with curry sauce or kachumber salad on the side — and round out your meal with a sweet treat like paratha with Nutella (a favourite of King's grandpa).
The restaurant is BYO, so feel free to grab a few beers from Camperdown Cellars across the road or bring a bottle of your favourite natty wine to pair with your tandoori chicken plate.
Better yet, Derrel's is open late. Paddington has Indian Home Diner offering late-night revellers with curry-filled wraps, and now Derrel's is here to provide anyone out in Camperdown with a kathi roll up until 2am.
