Head Chef at Social Eating House + Bar
Head Chef at Social Eating House + Bar
Social Eating House + Bar has long been a ‘casual fine dining’ Gold Coast favourite. With an impressive international tapas/shared plate style menu that includes the likes of Grilled Miso Quail, or even Lightly Smoked and Grilled Ocean Trout, it’s no wonder they’re a winner of not just one but two Hats from The Australian Good Food Guide. Freshly appointed Head Chef, YK, joined the team just a little over a month ago and has since hit the ground running. We had the pleasure to get to know him a bit more, and find out that he is a Chef passionate about making people happy, seeing them come together and enjoy the food he has prepared.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
Not very long! I have only been on the Gold Coast for just over a month.
What do you love most about living here?
The ocean. Wherever I go, I am so close to the beach. Plus the Gold Coast has some pretty friendly people!
Tell us about your chef journey thus far.
I have been studying cooking since I was 15 years old. I graduated Kimpo University (a culinary art association) and went to the Army Service for 2 years as a Chef. Once I finished my duty of service I moved to the USA, and held an Internship for a year at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Naples, Florida. After this, I moved back to my home country where I started to work at the Banyan Tree Hotel. It was there that I was fortunate enough to meet some great Chefs. Not long after I returned, I began to think of moving to Australia because there are lots of different fresh produce and cooking techniques that intrigued me. From there, I explored and looked into the opportunity of graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney. The next thing I know, I was working at Quay Restaurant, then Bennelong and then moved to Aubergine Restaurant in Canberra. I worked for Ben (Aubergine Restaurant Owner & Chef) for five years and learnt a lot of cooking techniques and how to ‘respect’ all ingredients. It wasn’t until my wife and I were on a Gold Coast holiday that we realised that we had fallen in love with the Gold Coast and wanted to call it our home.
What’s your proudest chef moment?
When my service has been smooth and everyone is happy.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Jeffo (Matt Jefferson)
What’s your favourite dish to cook at home?
Korean instant noodle
Tell us about what changes you are bringing to Social Eating House + Bar.
I am currently working on implementing some recipe books for the restaurant. Further to this I am trying to implement a super organized kitchen where chefs can work smart and efficiently.
What else is in the works for you in 2021?
I am having a baby, so very much looking forward to adding to my family.
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Café for breakfast: I am new here so I haven’t been everywhere but I have been to Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach
Coffee spot: no name lane, Broadbeach
Restaurant for dinner: Has to be Social Eating House + Bar, Broadbeach
Bar or pub for a drink: Again, has to be Social Eating House + Bar, Broadbeach
How does your weekend usually look? I usually spend my time at home with my wife, and lately we have been getting ready for our new baby.
It’s been a minute since we brought news from Broadbeach but what we have to share today will make up for that. You guessed it Gold Coasters, it’s a new eatery for the bustling suburb but not just any old eatery. It’s a sophisticated stunner that’s already amassed a horde of fans and you’re going to be one of them the minute you lay eyes on the place.
It’s called Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar and it’s the work of Henry Hunt whose foray into the restaurant owning business is an impressive one and we think you’re going to adore it as much as we do.
His hospitality rap sheet is filled with some of Sydney’s finest and when it came to creating the newbie, he wanted to offer something truly unique (which he has) where absolutely everything is made in-house.
Found at The Oasis Shopping Centre, where Bloke in a Bar once lived, Sofia’s is the epitome of sophistication fit out with fresh coastal whites, exposed brick and glossy black tiles. It’s an entirely outdoor dining situation (undercover) but with an open kitchen and beautifully appointed bar, you won’t be far from the action.
Let’s talk about the best part though and that friends, is the food. Former Head Chef of award winning The Fish House in Burleigh Heads, Damien Styles, is now the Head Chef at Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar in Broadbeach. Drawing on flavours from coastal European cuisine, Sofia’s is serving simple, fresh seafood and salumi.
Dishes like Grilled Marinated Artichokes, Fresh Figs and Vincotto and Kingfish Crudo with Blood Orange dressing grace the share menu and we can confirm that it’s all absolutely exceptional.
The Cheese and Salumi menu allows you to choose from an extensive range of high end goodies, there’s also fresh oysters, stunning pasta dishes and a mains menu filled with treats like Grilled Mooloolaba King Prawns (some the most incredible we’ve ever sampled) and a 700g Grilled Whole Baby Snapper.
To drink, you’ll have the pleasure of choosing from a VERY impressive wine menu (one of the best in Broady we think!) with drops from across the world. There are cocktails like a Sgroppino Italiana, a Limoncello Pisco Sour and a Barrell Aged Negroni (made in house) and you’ll be hard pressed to choose just one.
Of course there are beers, champagnes and a section of ‘celebration’ sips if you’re in need of something special.
All in all, Sofia’s is something very special and one you’re going to want to return to again and again.
See, well worth the wait for some Broadbeach news.
LOCATION: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Surf Pde, Broadbeach
HOURS: Monday to Sunday 6am until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
A little while ago we got news that one of Noosa’s most-loved venues, Miss Moneypenny’s, will be opening on the Gold Coast and GOOD NEWS GUYS, a tentative date has been announced.
The Sunshine Coast’s extremely popular dining (and drinking) destinations, will make its debut at Avani Broadbeach as early as August and you should pop your party pants on because it’s going to be a goodie.
Not only that, acclaimed Aussie Chef Braden White is set to head up the culinary team. His extremely impressive rap sheet is includes having been featured as a guest Chef on Masterchef plus he has headed up two-hatted Brisbane restaurant Stokehouse Q and worked as Executive Chef at Noosa’s multi-award winning Ricky’s River Bar & Restaurant.
What a treat.
Having frequented Miss Moneypenny’s on the Sunny Coast (several times to be honest) let it be known that the menu is seriously good and the cocktails are even better. And we eat and drink A LOT.
The new dining precinct will span 1,900 square metres, featuring Miss Moneypenny’s, along with an American-style sports bar, Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar & Diner and a delightful private dining space called The Rimini Room.
The three separate and distinctly different offerings will be brought to life with the help of the acclaimed Sydney hospitality design company, Paul Kelly Design.
Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar & Diner is Walsh’s newest dining concept and will deliver a sweet American-style sports bar and diner where old meets new. Offering a modern, reinvented take on classic American diner favourites, the edgy new eatery will feature a luxury gaming lounge and a custom designed ‘wall of infamy’. Which we will no doubt all enjoy watching unfold. Fat Freddy’s will focus on live sport with rock and electro from the 70s/80s and 90s on the playlist and seat 165 guests in an indoor/outdoor setting.
The Rimini Room will be a private, high-end dining and function space for up to 120 guests. It’s set to host a swagger of A-List parties, long lunches and corporate dinners and boasts its own private lift. The space also features its own private outdoor area scattered with lounges.
Miss Moneypenny’s itself will emulate the relaxed atmosphere of it’s sister venue with a focus on social dining, many a unique cocktail and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired modern Aussie cuisine. The focus will be on an atmosphere driven by social dining and will feature a stunning fireplace centrepiece for those chilly nights sipping cocktails with bae.
Menu-wise think Pistachio Crusted Market Fish, Baharat Spiced Quail and Lobster Capellini washed down with a Lavender Spritz, Spiced Honey Mule or (a personal favourite) the Fairy Colada.
August cannot come soon enough. Happy days friends.
LOCATION: 2663 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
Words by Kirra Smith.
