Celebrity chef Curtis Stone will lead the culinary direction of Australia’s first ever Waldorf Astoria at One Circular Quay in Sydney.
The venture marks Stone’s first restaurant on Australian soil, with the Melbourne-born chef having begun his career in London, where he began cooking at 18, undertaking stints at the Savoy Hotel, and under Marco Pierre White at the Café Royal and Mirabelle.
He established his name as a television chef on programs like Surfing the Menu, My Restaurant Rules, and the UK’s Good Food Live and Saturday Kitchen. He’s since appeared on MasterChef Australia All Stars, My Kitchen Rules, and various talk shows with the likes of Oprah and Ellen.
“Coming to Australia to create something of this scale is incredibly meaningful for me. These dining experiences are deeply personal projects, inspired by the producers, seasons, and hospitality culture I grew up with,” said Stone.
“To partner with Waldorf Astoria Sydney and bring these ideas to life overlooking one of the world’s most spectacular harbours is both an honour and a milestone in my career.”
Stone currently owns and runs one-Michelin starred restaurant Gwen in Hollywood, Woodend at the Maroma Hotel in Mexico, and The Pie Room in Beverly Hills (which took over from Maude, an earlier restaurant of Stone’s which also held a Michelin star).
Waldorf Astoria has a track record of creating award-winning dining experiences, boasting Rome’s only 3-Michelin star restaurant La Pergola, led by Heinz Beck; four-time James Beard Award winning Lex Yard in New York, led by Michael Anthony; and one-Michelin star Zijin Mansion in Beijing, led by James Wang.
Hilton Vice President of Luxury Brands (Asia Pacific) Candice D’Cruz noted that culinary excellence has always been integral to Waldorf Astoria.
“Working closely with our owners, we curate collaborations that connect guests to each destination. Partnering with a globally renowned Australian chef like Curtis Stone for our Australian debut reflects our commitment to creating unforgettable dining experiences that are unmistakably Waldorf Astoria,” said D’Cruz.
The hotel group says this restaurant will take on a “distinctly Australian expression” with Australian produce, culture, and hospitality “reimagined through a Waldorf Astoria lens”.
Waldorf Astoria Sydney General Manager Marlene Poynder said introducing Waldorf Astoria to Australia marks a defining moment for the brand.
“To work with a chef of Curtis’ calibre makes this especially meaningful,” added Poynder. “Together, we’re creating a destination where exceptional hospitality, world-class dining, and perhaps one of the world’s most remarkable harbourfront settings come together to deliver an unforgettable guest experience.”
Sydney’s Waldorf Astoria, which will be owned and developed by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s property company Fiveight, is expected to open in 2027 with two dining offerings.
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