Well-known Australian celebrity chef, Kylie Kwong will close the doors to her highly-regarded restaurant following what she dubbed a 'tough time' for the industry.
She said that it felt like the right time to close, adding that she had given that piece of her life everything she could. The decision to close has also been with great sadness, however she felt another door was opening, as it does when another shuts. Her current restaurant, Lucky Kwong, has scheduled it's last day of service for June 26.
Kwong, who has based her career around the Sydney restaurant scene for the past 30 years, said she was ready to take a break from the culinary industry, with plans to relax and reflect.
She said that for all the many challenges that come with being in the hospitality industry, she considered herself fortunate to have had far more positive experiences than negative. She also admitted that the high costs of operating a business in the hospitality industry was a driving factor behind her decision.
Having worked under prolific chef Neil Perry at his signature restaurants Rockpool and Wokpool for six years in the 1990s, Kwong became one of the first female Australian chefs to rise to national prominence upon the opening of her first restaurant, Billy Kwong, with co-founder Bill Grainger. She then pioneered a new type of cuisine with a rich array of flavours showcased on the menu.
The Billy Kwong menu included dishes of native Australian ingredients and home-styled Cantonese recipes that became widely successful among foodies and critics. Grainger passed away in late 2023.
Kylie Kwong said that by integrating Australian native produce with her Cantonese-style food literally revolutionised the menu and viewpoint of the world.
Her future plans will be to pursue her links with Indigenous communities and charity groups in Sydney.
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