Rosheen Kaul will be cooking for two nights only at Bar Rochford. Photo: Instagram/Rosheen Kaul.
The team at Bar Rochford have recently celebrated their ninth birthday, farewelled long-term chef Josh Lundy and are now gearing up for a second collaboration with Melbourne chef and cookbook author Rosheen Kaul.
Co-owner Nick Smith says they always enjoy working with different people in the kitchen.
“Rosheen came up to do an event for our seventh birthday a couple of years ago and we’ve been keen to do something else with her,” he told Region.
“She’s such a pleasure to work with, such a great spirit. I respect her a lot with what she’s done with food in Melbourne. She’s a young gun and it’s so great to work with people with that energy.”
The pop-up will feature a menu of Chinese-French Bistro inspired dishes. Image: Tom Bonin.
Rosheen Kaul is the author of an award-winning Chinese-ish cookbook which celebrates her Asian-Australian heritage. She was formerly the head chef at award-winning Victorian restaurant Etta, she is a recipe columnist, and regularly runs pop-ups with venues around Melbourne.
The collaboration with Rosheen will run for two nights in April, and will showcase a menu of “French-Chinese Bistro” cuisine. The menu is yet to be finalised, but Nick says that Rosheen is designing an entirely new menu especially for the occasion.
The Rochford bar staff will be slinging a few special cocktails to match the dishes, along with European wines. Nick says they’re even looking into some natural Chinese wines (still to be confirmed) which is a sure sign that punters are in for a fun experience.
Rosheen will also have a vegan friendly and FODMAP friendly version of the menu, and guests can choose either four or seven courses for $70 or $100.
Bar Rochford owner and general manager Nick Smith. Photo: Lean Timms.
Nick said he’s sad to farewell head chef Josh Lundy but he understood it was time for the long-serving chef to spread his wings and gain some experience overseas. The team has welcomed Alisdair Brook Taylor to the kitchen. The Australian-born chef has spent years working in Europe and the UK, including as the owner of The Moorcock Inn, before returning to Canberra. He was most recently seen behind the pass at Ben Willis’ fine dining French Bistro Louis.
Fans of Bar Rochford’s menu can be assured that favourites will remain, but Nick says that they’re really offering a “blank canvas” to the chef, so exciting new dishes can be expected.
“It’s always nice to have different chefs in the kitchen because it keeps the food interesting,” Nick said.
“We are looking forward to doing something different. It’s always great to work with someone who inspires us at Rochford.”
Rosheen Kaul will be cooking at Bar Rochford on 8 and 9 April. Book online. Some bar space will be available for walk-ins. Bar Rochford is located on the first floor of 65 London Cct, Canberra. It is open from 5 pm until late Tuesday to Saturday. Follow Bar Rochford on Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.
