Formerly Head Chef at St Kilda’s Stokehouse Pasta & Bar, Mr Anderson brings more than 15 years’ culinary leadership experience in hatted and fine-dining restaurants across Australia and Canada.
Sharing the new owners’ vision to transform the hotel into a leading regional food destination, Anderson will relocate to Rutherglen from his native Melbourne, where he has occupied roles in multiple venues within the esteemed Van Haandel Group – including flagship Stokehouse Restaurant – along with tenures at Circa in St Kilda and Yarra Valley’s Chateau Yering.
He has also garnered considerable experience in Canada, working at award-winning establishments such as L’Abattoir in Vancouver, Eden @ Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, and Cedar Creek Estate Winery in Kelowna.
Under Mr Anderson’s stewardship, the menu at The Victoria will showcase Northeast Victorian producers, with a focus on cooking over fire and charcoal. The newly designed, well-appointed kitchen will feature a custom-built FIReNACE Parilla Grill and Kuma Forni wood fired oven imported from Italy.
"Joining The Victoria as Head Chef is an exciting opportunity for me to be a part of building something from the ground up in a thriving regional setting," Mr Anderson said.
"I look forward to using the amazing local produce and working with a talented team to create a menu that highlights the best of the region and incorporates cooking over fire."
Owner of The Victoria, Matt Halpin said it’s a coup to secure a Head Chef of Anderson’s calibre.
“I approached Brendan directly after learning of his reputation as a young gun within the industry, particularly his talent in the craft of cooking with fire,” he said.
“He sees the same opportunities for The Victoria as we do in terms of offering a point of difference within the region, while complementing Rutherglen’s already strong food, wine, and distilling landscape.
“Our intention is to create even more reasons for guests to visit Rutherglen, which we believe is undergoing a real renaissance, with visitors travelling from Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra to experience the best of Victoria’s Northeast.”
Set to open in Spring 2023, The Victoria is in the final stages of a multi-million-dollar redevelopment, which will incorporate trans-seasonal dining zones for 150+ guests, expansive open-air beer garden, corporate meeting and private dining spaces and boutique accommodation.
9°C