Celebrity chef Manu Feildel has pulled the plug on his World Square restaurant which was open for just one year.
Duck In Duck Out launched in November 2017 with an all-duck menu designed by Feildel and his business partner Phil Davenport.
Davenport confirmed the closure to Good Food, but didn’t go into specifics. “We closed due to the market. I’m not at liberty to say anything else at this stage.”
Feildel and Davenport tested the Duck In Duck Out concept with a Surry Hills pop-up before moving to a permanent location after receiving positive feedback from the dining public.
The restaurant joins a string of closures for the My Kitchen Rules judge. Kings Cross restaurant Aperitif, which he opened with Miguel Maestre, shuttered in 2011 after less than 12 months in operation.
Feildel’s Paddington restaurant L’Etoile closed in 2014 before Feildel went into business with George Calombaris’ MAdE Establishment. The pair launched Le Grand Cirque in South Yarra which was open for four months, during which it received a number of less than favourable reviews.
Duck In Duck Out had all the markers of a successful venue and was a new concept for Feildel. The chef was positive about the restaurant’s future and championed its casual nature during the launch period last year.
“What I enjoy about having this type of restaurant is that I am not going to be having any critics coming in,” Feildel told news.com.au.
“I’m going to cook for the customers and the customers are going to be my critics. It took me a long time to get back in the game. I got hurt, big time but now I’m excited.”
The closure of the venue proves the restaurant industry is tougher than ever, even for celebrity chefs.
Image credit: GQ