Owner – Matthew Kemp
Matthew Kemp has become one of Australia’s most well respected and recognised chefs. Originating from the UK and now calling Australia home he has worked with and for some of the best in the business.
For Matthew Kemp a passion for food and cooking started early and proved to be in his blood.
“By the time I was thirteen I knew I wanted to cook. There were no ifs, ands or buts,” says Matthew Kemp. Kemp’s mother was a waitress and she got him his first job at “a two-bit café in Essex”. At age sixteen she helped him secure an apprenticeship at a catering company.
“Everything I took at school from age fourteen on was all about cooking. I took French because it’s the language of food; art for the creativity and knowledge of aesthetic presentation; and chemistry so I could understand the basics of gastronomy.”
Since those early days in Essex, Kemp has honed his skills at restaurants around the globe. He has worked at some of London’s finest hotels and restaurants including The Square, a Michelin two-starred restaurant. “Phillip Howard, the head chef, taught me so much about food, says Kemp.
Matthew worked as Chef de Cuisine at the now defunct, but once legendary, Banc. “It was amazing what we achieved there. Within a year and a half of my being there it got three hats, scored 18/20 in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide and won Best Restaurant of the Year.”
Opening his own restaurant ‘Restaurant Balzac’ in 2000 at The Spot in Randwick and then due to demand for Kemp’s food moving to a larger premise in the heart of Randwick Junction. In January 2011 he decided to expand his portfolio and went into partnership with Jeremy Bentley to open a new restaurant “The Devonshire”.
11 years later, with a wall full of awards, industry respect, a successful and popular restaurant Matthew decided to shake things up a bit and close Restaurant Balzac. He relaunched the business on 13th September 2011 as The Montpellier Public House.
Matthew’s philosophy is to simply provide fresh, seasonal, quality, affordable food in a suburban location that offers something for everyone. On the plate he marries Gastro Pub inspired food with fresh Modern French tastes and heart-warming British comfort food.
The Montpellier Public House
Located in the eastern suburbs at the crossroads of Belmore & Avoca Streets in the heart of Randwick Junction and only 15 minutes from the CBD.
Residing in a majestic sandstone building, built in the 1800′s, which has has been home to many over the years! Including ‘The Star and Garter’ which is the image you will see on all The Montpellier Public House signage and marketing material. This picture was drawn by the now deceased Albert.N.Clarke and we thank the Randwick Historical Society for allowing us to bring back to life this part of the buildings history. If only the walls could talk!
As you enter from Belmore Road you are immediately aware of a wonderful fusion of old and new. All the original sandstone remains with historical pictures, generously given to us by the Hannan family who owned the building for over a 100 years, adorning the walls and a contemporary yet warm and inviting decor.
If you remain on the ground floor you will be welcomed into a wine bar called the Public Bar which is open 7 days from Midday to Midnight. Adorned with high stools and tables the perfect place to pop in for a glass or bottle of wine from the unique Organic/Biodynamic/Sustainable Wine List and if your hungry perhaps grab a bite to eat from the fantastic selection of food from the “Gastro Pub” inspired Bar Menu. In the front room of the Public Bar you are transported into a contemporary room which overlooks all the hustle and bustle of Randwick Junction. This room is designed for those who want to book but still sit down and have a casual meal from the Public Bar Menu and Wine List. Sit in here for awhile and you might start to think you are in a trendy little bistro in the heart of Paris!
If you are looking for a more formal dining experience but still in a fun and relaxed environment then the 1st floor Dining Room is the place for you. Completely refurbished with all original sandstone remaining, wooden floorboards, inviting lighting and decor this is a room that will not easily be forgotten. A full A La Carte Menu is available comprising of a list of 8 Entrees, 8 Mains and 8 Desserts as well as a wonderful Cheese Board for you to select from. To match your Modern French/English Bistro inspired food there is an extensive Australian and International Wine List to choose from.
Reviews
Terry Durack, Sydney Morning Herald Good Living, 11th October 2011 - “So often, food this “simple” is done by the casual and the careless. It’s lovely to see it done by the professional and painstaking instead. Matthew Kemp is cooking the food he likes to eat; and guess what? The rest of us like it, too.”
Elizabeth Meryment, Sunday Telegraph, 16th October 2011 - says “Some very fine eating to be had” and that “British food is certainly gaining traction in Sydney as well as England’s top restaurants, so long dominated by French food. I admire Kemp for doing something challenging, unconventional and most of all fun.”
Myffy Rigby, Time Out Sydney, November 2011 – says “The take home message here is that this is the best spot in Randwick and Coogee to eat and drink. There’s choice, friends, and plenty of it.”
Simon Thomsen, taste.com.au, Daily Telegraph, 22nd November 2011 describes The Montpellier’s menu as “more Last Night of the Proms, appealing to the glory days of English cooking” and that “any geezer raised on Arthur Daley deals will tear up at the sight of pie, mash, liquor, a Cockney classic”
For more information or media enquiries please contact Yasmin Williams on 02 9399 9660 or email yasmin@montpellierpublichouse.com.au
Employment Opportunities
We are currently seeking the following for employment at The Montpellier Public House:
CHEFS
Please forward all resumes to headchef@montpellierpublichouse.com.au
WAITPERSON / RUNNER
Please forward all resumes to restaurantmanager@montpellierpublichouse.com.au