Chef Mark Best has confirmed he's closing the doors to his fine diner, Marque Restaurant, on 30 June.
Best released a statement earlier today confirming the two-hatted Surry Hills diner will next month call it a day, after 17 years.
He'll now commit more time to his Pei Modern venues in Sydney and Melbourne and will continue his consultancy work.
In a piece written for Gourmet Traveller, Best reflects on his decision and says Marque's closure is in no way representative of the state of the fine dining industry in Australia.
"The idea that me closing Marque is somehow evidence of the death of fine dining is something I reject completely. I'm sure the same tired tropes will be rolled out with this announcement, but this is a personal business and it's a personal decision," he wrote.
Best's statement can be seen in full below:
After 17 years of creative, personal and emotional investment in this small space I have decided it's time for change. It is of course with mixed emotions that I have made this decision, however it
seems sensible, timely and prudent to do so. The personal investment in a small business takes its toll, and it's with a combination of a sense of loss, pride and relief that I bring this phase of my career to a close.
My partners in Pei Modern in Melbourne and at The Four Seasons in Sydney will be pleased to have my full attention as each establishment goes under a significant refurbishment later this year. I remain a proud ambassador for AEG domestic appliances and a member of the culinary panel for Holland America Line, and I will continue to be involved in restaurant brand consultancy.
Marque has achieved far more than I ever envisioned opening a ‘small bistro’ in 1999. It was
fairly evident from the start it was never going to be just that. Many hats, stars, awards and
a bit of international renown later, I can look back with pride on what was achieved in this small shopfront on Crown Street. Marque’s proudest legacy will be the young people who in their formative years, have come through its doors, embraced the process and pushed themselves to do the very best they could every day.
Marque alumni include (among many and in no particular order) Pasi Petnen, Nick Hildebrandt, Brent Savage, Dan Hong, Dan Pepperell, Isaac McHale, Daniel Puskas, Karl Firla, Victor Liong, Joachim Borenius, Lorenzo Cogo, Alex Muoz, Adam Wolfers, Lauren Eldridge, Jacob Davey, Mette Brink Sberg, Nobu Lee & Chris Boersma – young stars who were my fellow collaborators and conspirators that allowed Marque to establish its unique culinary voice and shout it to the world.
Above all I'd like to acknowledge our customers of the last 17 years; I thank you for your support and for allowing me to do what I love.
The restaurant's final service will be recognised with an alumni dinner, held on 30 June.
