Press Club Project Experimental Kitchen @ Melbourne

Inspired by Masterchef Australia 2015 to land myself in Australia and also into this restaurant, with one of the celebrity judges George Calambaris who owns Press Club is now running a special series next to their kitchen of degustation menu known as Press Club Project Experimental Kitchen.

Right after one of the challenge in the reality show that happen in this kitchen, instantly I Google up and find out what is it all about and to my surprise is a cool concept and after reading the menu, instantly text my friend to book a place for this experimental kitchen. At first was suppose to book for George session and it was fully book with more than 30 people in waiting list. Disappointed and choose the next session which is hosted by Press Club Head Chef – Luke Croston and his assistant Declan which were very lucky as during our reservation it was already last two spot. Booked a month before the event.

Upon checking in at Press Club, we were then lead to a building next to it with this neon light purple with mini plants at the bottom and red door at the side which looks like a fish shop to me on my first impression (as this reflects to some of fish shop in Malaysia).

Apparently this plants are being tested and grown in here for their own consumption and cooking. Interesting.

Love the whole setting of this mysterious kitchen as instead of kitchen it looks more like an operating theater to me with those two huge lights shinning towards the silver table.

Its a very intimate session where the chef get to talk to everyone and at its maximum capacity, this kitchen can only host up to 12 diners.

This looks more like a science lab rather than a kitchen but welcome to Melbourne as this is a whole new level of cooking method.

All fresh ingredients are being prepared and ready for action in a while. In this degustation menu, they do not repeat it and they do not let you know what are they preparing for you in this 8 course dinner, the only thing you can guess is through their ingredients and wait to be serve dish after dish. .

Now thinking, back, I regretted I did not took picture of the drink menu. This is the first time in my life I hold a drink menu as thick as near a dictionary. With so many choices and every one in the room is lost and ended up ask Jass (hopefully I got her name correct) to introduce. One of the cocktail that capture our attention which is a superb well balance of their house special Martini & Olive Oil (right picture) as it has a very unique surprising taste that does not make it weird..

Poached Treacle Bread – imagine the texture as its being cook in milk & poached with other ingredients for 4 hours.

Hummus

Celery Stick + Blue Cheese + Caviar + Peanut Butter

Every dish were explain further before it was served and how it is made.

Another of their great chef – Esca to present his creation which is pretty well known with fish dishes..

Presenting a combination of fresh ocean trout with his own special ingredient and dip in with their unique and cute metal cutleries.

Next up is a dish from Chef Declan’s

Presented & platted beautifully.  . .

This is definitely one of my favorite. Deviled Egg + Paprika + wagyu bresaola (that being aged)

Spanakopita

This have been in the oven for more than 6 hours before took out to be served.

The aroma just conquer the room when took out from the oven.

Meat & 5 types of veggies.

Submarine as dessert as this is presented with crystal clear mineral water that being preserve in their special machine at a certain cold temperature and upon pouring and add in some nitro for the effect is simply amazing.

A pretty decent layer of caramel sauce being added onto the spoon for flavors.

Last was simply irresistible as Head chef challenge himself to present us this dish by platting all the ingredients onto the plate with the song Zobra The Greek which is around 4 minutes for 12 plates. Indeed it was entertaining and ended up with a big bang by crushing the sugar coat all over like a huge celebration.

Here you go on both heart warming and entertaning Head Chef Luke Croston and his assistant Declan. Before I left, chef still cheekily ask me to take picture for their next upcoming Press Club Projects. So do book your slots for their upcoming fun experimental Evening.

To me, it was a great experience with so much information that the chef explains that gives me information overload in their terms, every one is happy and feel warm as more like close up session with every one. Food taste is certainly a whole new level for me, with so much different texture, ingredients are being presented in one single dish and it builds up as it goes. For more info check out their website – www.thepressclub.com.au