Cookbook author, TV host and MasterChef royal Poh Ling Yeow is doing her first restaurant takeover, creating a temporary afternoon tea menu for QT Melbourne that will be served to diners via a sushi train in the lobby. Matched cocktails are by whisky brand The Singleton.
“I haven’t had people sit down and dine on my food for a few years,” says Poh. “It’s going to be really nice to serve food in a restaurant setting again.”
The celebrity cook closed her JamFace cafe in Adelaide’s Central Market in 2019. She now runs a popular stall at the Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers’ Market, but it’s a takeaway-only situation.
“I’m excited that diners at QT will get to sit down to eat my food,” she says.
But those hoping to rub shoulders with the MasterChef favourite may be disappointed. While Poh has designed the menu, she will not be on site to serve the dishes.
So what’s cooking? “It’s a globetrotting affair,” says Poh. “I love to cook eclectically.”
French fries are served with bagna cauda, an anchovy dipping sauce. There’s chawanmushi – steamed savoury custard – drizzled with flavoured oil. “And you can’t go wrong with a chicken bao with kimchi and Kewpie mayo,” she says.
Sweet highlights include strawberries and cream served Italian-style with basil and balsamic vinegar. Snacks are priced from $8-$15 and cocktails $18.
The Singleton’s Delicious Discoveries at QT Melbourne runs Thu-Sun 2pm-6pm from February 2 until May.
QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne, qthotels.com/melbourne.