Alex Herbert is closing her restaurant to focus on family. Source: ak.images
Chef Alex Herbert has decided to call last orders on her critically acclaimed bistro and cafe, Bird Cow Fish announcing it will shut this Saturday after five years of operation.
Herbert said she will open for dinner only this week to give regulars and loyal fans of the bistro the chance to come and dine one last time.
She's promised that popular BCF classics like her prawn gnocchi, the seared hanger steak with a sweet & sour veal jus, the beef cheek pie and of course the chocolate tart will be on this last menu.
Herbert said that after 23 years as a chef she's decided it's time for a new focus "beyond the daily grind of the kitchen and running a busy restaurant".
"I've loved running Bird Cow Fish, mark II, even more than the original, which we opened in Balmain in 1996," she said. "But I have two boys who are very important to me: a teenager and the other about to become one, who, at this critical stage in their lives, deserve and need more of their mum's time."
Herbert's career began at Berowra Waters Inn in 1989 under Gay Bilson and Janni Kyritsis. She also worked with David Thompson, Martin Boetz, Maggie Beer and Christine Manfield. However, her own impressive talents saw Bird Cow Fish receive five consecutive one chef's hat awards in The SMH Good Food Guide since opening in March 2006.
Unfortunately, amid that success were some tough personal challenges for Herbert including the loss of her father and separating from her long-term partner and the father of her boys, Howard Gardner, who is also Bird Cow Fish's co-founder and co-owner.
Herbert said she is keen seek new directions and opportunities.
"There's no doubt it's getting tougher to make a living in the highly competitive Sydney dining scene,"she said.
"The economic climate remains uncertain, margins are tight and finding good staff is a challenge, although I've been lucky to work with some great people. These are additional reasons why I've made the difficult decision to retire Bird Cow Fish now, while it's still strong. That way, I leave with great memories of our achievements, the great food and our happy customers."
"Howard and I would like to thank all our staff, both past and present, our customers and our fabulous suppliers for their long and loyal support and love. It's meant a lot to us and made the long hours away from family more bearable."
Herbert will continue to operate her weekly food stall at the Eveleigh Farmers Market from which she will take a short break while she focuses on her new projects.
