British-based chef Simon Rogan, whose restaurant group holds a total of five Michelin stars (a number only a dozen chefs have achieved worldwide), brings a taste of his restaurant L’Enclume to Balmoral Beach’s iconic Bathers Pavilion for a six-week residency from 15 July to 30 August.
The two Michelin starred L’Enclume, located in Cartmel in The Lake District (UK), won Restaurant of The Year in The Good Food Guide UK (2020) which it has done for five out of the last seven years. This will be the first ever Australian residency for Rogan and his team, who will strive to encapsulate the iconic L’Enclume experience 10,000 miles from home.
Vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers grown at Rogan’s own farm typically take centre stage at the Lake District restaurant, alongside meat and fish dishes sourced from some the finest quality suppliers in the north. Located within a former 13th century blacksmiths workshop, since opening its doors in Cartmel in 2002, L’Enclume has held a farm-to-table ethos at its core, with a menu that celebrates exceptional produce and the natural environment.
L’Enclume and Bathers’ Pavilion philosophy remain closely aligned. With plans to adapt a handful of dishes to incorporate native ingredients from farms and fisheries located close to Sydney, Rogan has already started to seek out Australian suppliers who meet his high standards.
When he arrives in Sydney in July, Rogan will not only replicate the L’Enclume menu – a single, multiple course tasting experience – but also the crockery (to be handmade in Australia), cutlery, glassware, menus and service elements to deliver this unique dining experience. Wine pairings and a comprehensive wine list will be overseen by Rogan’s world-class sommelier team. Throughout the six-week residency, L’Enclume in the UK carries out business as usual.
Rogan comments, “It’s a dream to bring the L’Enclume experience and ethos to the other side of the world, and to a country I personally have a real affinity to. Showcasing what we do so far from home will be a great opportunity to engage with a different audience who may know nothing about us. Both L’Enclume and Bathers’ Pavilion are in areas of natural beauty and in destinations that are awash with outstanding ingredients. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate place in Sydney to do it. Guests can expect a menu of some of our favourite dishes from L’Enclume, to include some classics, but with a few seasonal tweaks here and there according to the ingredients we have available to us.”
Joining Rogan in Australia will be Sam Ward, the Managing Director of Simon Rogan Restaurants, alongside other key members of the UK team.
Cameron Johnston, head chef of Bathers’ Pavilion restaurant, is set to work alongside Rogan and his team during their time Sydney. Johnston will head to L’Enclume in April 2020 in preparation for Rogan’s visit.
L’Enclume’s Sydney residence runs from 15 July to 30 August at Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral Beach. Open for lunch Wed–Sun, and dinner Tue–Sun, $350 for the food menu, payable at time of booking. Tailored wine pairings available on the night at $200, $350 and $1100 per person.
There is also a private dining room that can accommodate 20 diners.