Melbourne chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell has announced he is bringing his venues together under one name.
Dubbed Trader House Restaurants, McConnell says he hopes the move will help provide clarity on the concepts he’s responsible for.
“After a couple of decades in the game, I have decided to bring all of my venues together to sit under one family name,” the chef tells Hospitality.
“The phrase ‘McConnell Group’ has been used a lot and it wasn’t a name I chose; just an easy way to refer to all the venues at once. It never felt right given my brothers and cousin are all doing great things in the industry.”
The McConnell name is prevalent in the hospitality scene, with a combined 13 venues and counting between the family.
Andrew runs seven restaurants including Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co and Supernormal and his brother Sean McConnell has recently opened Rebel Rebel in Canberra.
His other brother, Matt McConnell, is behind Bar Lourinha on Little Collins Street with cousin Jason McConnell running San Telmo, Palermo, Asado and Pastuso.
But don’t expect any changes, Andrew says it’s business as usual for the newly named group.
Image credit: Pete Dillon, Broadsheet
