Bistro Dom Announces New Head Chef

Southwood is excited to step into the new role, saying in a release that he has “always had an affinity with Bistro Dom” and that the “building and this venue have a really special vibe which I admit I was drawn to.” “I wasn’t planning on taking a step like this – I have two-year-old twins – but opportunities like this don’t come around often and when they do, you have to grab hold, otherwise they pass you by.” Southwood earned his stripes as a chef working in some of Barcelona’s top restaurants in the 1980s, and has since worked a variety of prestigious roles, including as head chef at Dish in Byron Bar, which earned the Byron Bay restaurant a one star rating from Gourmet Traveller, as well as head caterer at Sanctuary, known affectionately as the ‘world’s most exclusive rehab.’ In 2013, Southwood reached popularity notoriety for his role as a contestant on Masterchef: The Professionals, working under the tutelage of Marco Pierre White, and finished 8^th in the competition. Speaking with The Adelaide Review in late 2013, Southwood explained that his greatest influences as a chef come from the Mediterranean, in particular the Catalan and Basque regions of Northern Spain. Now Southwood says he thinks “Adelaide is ready for something new” and looks forward to bringing that Spanish influence to Bistro Dom, focussing on food that “will be for enjoying, loving and sharing” with “simplicity and elegance that will blow your mind.” “I am very excited by healthy, fresh food and that will be a focus of the restaurant going forward. It will be Spanish influenced, modern Australian, which will utilise local ingredients.” Bistro Dom has seen a collection of highly celebrated and diverse chefs move through its kitchen in past years. Duncan Welgemoed was head chef before moving on to his own venture, the much-loved Africola, while Shane Wilson also held the position before moving on to the soon-to-open The Henry Austin. Bistro Dom’s new menu will be released later this week. Read The Adelaide Review’s 2013 interview with Luke Southwood here. bistrodom.com.au