Media Release
Matt Moran and Solotel announce the appointment of Thomas Gorringe as the new executive chef of Aria, having previously held the role of head chef at Pier One’s hatted restaurant, The Gantry. Gorringe will take over the reins from Joel Bickford, as he departs for a new role.
Of the appointment, Moran says: “We’re thrilled to have Tom join our Aria team to head up the kitchen in this exciting new phase for the venue. A key focus for us has been in finding a chef who will not only continue to champion Australia’s finest producers and suppliers and thrive within the fine dining ecosystem of Aria, but who will also challenge us to showcase a new aspect of our offering in leading the launch of Aria Wine Bar. Tom certainly delivers on that. As much as this past year has presented its fair share of hurdles, it’s made us more hungry than ever to swing open the doors and welcome in this new phase for our harbourside venue.”
Gorringe will join general manager Alex Kirkwood, in spearheading the creation of Aria Wine Bar, set to launch next year. Offering an alternative to the traditional Aria experience, guests will be able to enjoy wines by the glass alongside a produce driven snack-style menu, whether stopping by for a casual drink pre or post dinner, or pulling up a seat for the evening.
“I’m honoured to be joining Aria in such an exciting time for the venue”, says Gorringe. “Matt and the team have created an incredible legacy of supporting Australian producers and suppliers, which is something that I feel very connected to and look forward to continuing to build on. Having the opportunity to work within one of the leading fine-dining restaurants in the country, while also building upon a completely new offering through the creation of Aria Wine Bar is a challenge that I’m really looking forward to”.
The appointment of Gorringe signifies a further progressive shift for Aria in the venue’s 21st year. Gorringe will champion a new direction for Aria, while continuing to build upon the excellence it has established over the last two decades, through a renewed commitment to one of the leading fine dining restaurant offerings in the country.
About Thomas Gorringe
Thomas Gorringe is the newly appointed executive chef of renowned Sydney fine-dining restaurant, Aria. Originally from the Southern Highlands, Thomas cut his teeth within Bowral’s Milton Park Country House and Sydney’s Otto restaurant, before moving abroad to take up the role of senior sous chef at Bearfoot Bistro in Canada, in 2012. Here, he was introduced to luxury ingredients and the importance of seasonal dining, working closely with local producers and suppliers to create award-winning menus within the confines of Canada’s harsh seasonal availability. Returning home in 2014, Thomas was appointed head chef of hatted Eschalot restaurant in Berrima NSW, where he spent two years honing his paddock to plate ethos, sourcing ingredients directly from the on-site kitchen garden and local artisans. Relocating to Sydney in 2015, Thomas worked at renowned Bentley Restaurant and Bar before joining Pier One’s hatted restaurant, The Gantry, where he worked for over five years. Now, Thomas will join Matt Moran and Aria’s general manager Alex Kirkwood, in continuing Aria’s fine-dining legacy and spearheading the creation of Aria Wine Bar, set to launch later this year.
About Aria
A synergy of many elements, in an unrivalled harbourside location, Aria is one of Australia’s finest restaurants. Bringing together the vision of owners Matt Moran and Bruce Solomon, Aria showcases the best seasonal produce and a world-class wine list in a stunning, art-filled space with sweeping Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge views. Since opening in 1999, Aria has been awarded a total of 35 Good Food Guide chef hats and has held two hats every year since 2013. The restaurant has also accumulated 36 stars in Gourmet Traveller’s Australian Restaurant Guide.
