Australia’s newest luxury destination, The Langham Gold Coast, has unveiled a new chapter of its restaurant, Akoya, focusing on fresh, locally-sourced produce in one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic beachfront locations, with the recent appointment of leading Australian hospitality chef, Matthew Woolford, available from June 19, 2023.
Inspired by the spirit of a coastal palette, and the pleasures of eating together, the menu is brimming with a bounty of Australia’s freshest and finest ingredients, with a particular focus on seafood such as freshly shucked oysters and lobster.
Guests can enjoy shared plates or a la carte dining during lunch and dinner and the signature buffet on Friday and Saturday nights. At the same time, the experience is designed to be interactive. The room is bathed in sunlight with a completely open kitchen to evoke typical conversation between chef and diners.
Executive Chef Matthew Woolford said that Akoya celebrates the laidback coastal lifestyle and unparalleled beauty of Queensland’s beachside surroundings with signature dishes best passed along tables with conversation.
“The menu’s suitably local and seasonal. As for mains, much is cooked on the theatrical asado grill seen from the restaurant’s dining room into the open kitchen, from wood-fired Moreton Bay bugs basted in whipped sea urchin butter to the responsibly sourced trawler-caught prawns in the coast of North Stradbroke,” said Chef Woolford.
Throughout his over 30 years of experience from his time in countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and Korea, Chef Woolford has worked for several hotel chains such as Marriott, Starwood, Four Seasons and Le Meridian and Hyatt. He comes to Akoya after working at Pialligo Estate in Canberra, having recently relocated back to Australia.
General Manager of the Langham Gold Coast, John O’Shea, said the brand was thrilled to welcome someone of Chef Woolford’s calibre to lead the culinary team.
“We’re honoured to have someone with Woolford’s expertise and industry knowledge join the team to bolster our growing reputation for luxury service and exceptional flavours within South-East Queensland’s dining scene,” said O’Shea.
In addition to exceptional coastal cuisine, Akoya offers an extensive beverage selection, including a curated wine list featuring local and international labels such as Capricorn Gin, which features in Chef Matthew’s dishes. The sommelier and mixologist are available to recommend the perfect pairing for each dish, enhancing the overall dining experience.
