US chef, restaurateur and pioneer of plant-based cuisine Matthew Kenney will open his first Australian restaurant in Sydney next month.
Casual lounge-style restaurant and bar Alibi will take over the ground floor of the Ovolo hotel in Woolloomooloo, offering a plant-based dining menu with a focus on seasonal dishes.
After graduating from the French Culinary Institute, Kenney developed a number of restaurants in New York City before focusing his career entirely on plant-based foods.
He says the timing was right to open a restaurant in Australia.
“Australia is seen as a leader in wellbeing and lifestyle and Ovolo came to me with the opportunity at the right time,” he says.
“The food scene is so vibrant here – great produce, chefs, sunshine. I’m enjoying exploring the amazing and diverse produce available in Australia.”
The menu at Alibi will be overseen by group executive chef Kasper Christensen, who will also revamp the breakfast and room service offering to focus more on plant-based meals.