One of the world's best restaurants, Noma, announced it will relocate to Sydney for ten weeks from January 2016, to share the best of Australian produce as seen through the eyes of head chef Rene Redzepi and his team.
Noma will temporarily close in Copenhagen, Denmark, to open its new waterfront home at Barangaroo on Sydney Harbour, as part of an exciting collaboration with Tourism Australia and Lendlease.
"I have always been attracted to the incredible diversity you find in Australia's landscapes and ingredients, because they are like no other place I've seen before," said Redzepi. "Australia combines strong influences from its Indigenous people with new communities from around the world. When you mix it all together, the result is something truly inspiring. It really is the perfect place to come and learn."
The Noma team will find the best of Australia's produce to design an original menu, focusing on producers who have a respectful and passionate engagement with the sea and the land. Pastry Chef Malcolm Livingston II continues to craft the dessert menu at Noma, after joining the acclaimed restaurant following a successful stint at New York City’s wd-50.
"We look forward to the new year and this new exploration. It will be a different journey, but one that I am incredibly excited about -- the opportunity to broaden our horizons, to expand our minds and our tastes, to make new friends, and catch-up with old ones, as we delve into this magnificent landscape," Redzepi added.
Tourism Australia Managing Director John O'Sullivan said that Noma Australia was a natural extension of its already successful Restaurant Australia campaign.
"A big part of Restaurant Australia has been about improving Australia's perception as a food and wine destination. And, with one of the world's top ranked restaurants about to open in Sydney, I'd say our country's culinary standing has never been higher," he said.
Noma Australia will be located in the acclaimed Anadara building at the Barangaroo precinct, which is set to become Australia's landmark future food and beverage destination. The location was selected for its synergy to Noma in Copenhagen, which is also on the water and strongly connected to the sea.
As a vital part of Noma's research in the lead up to the restaurant opening, Rene and his team have already embarked on several Australia-wide visits to meet with producers, local communities, farmers and chefs, and explore the diverse landscape and multi-faceted culture of the country. Tourism Australia is supporting these important research trips, and providing assistance with travel and marketing.
Noma Australia will launch in January 2016 and will open for lunch and dinner five days per week.