INTERNATIONAL chef David Kapay is returning to his hometown of Wodonga to take over the award-winning Broadgauge restaurant in Junction Place.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Kapay has signed up on a nine-year lease deal with Places Victoria to operate the restaurant in the historic former station building from late June.
Present operators Steve Carne and Jodie Jones opened Broadgauge as the first private investment on the former railway land three years ago.
Mr Kapay began his culinary career as an apprentice chef at Cafe Grove and then worked at Paddy's before heading to London to work for Jamie Oliver.
He presently has a stake in the South Yarra restaurant, 25 Toorak Road, but is excited about his impending return home with wife Sally and two young daughters, Annabel and Ivy.
"We are in for the long haul," Mr Kapay said.
"We've seen all the plans for other developments in Junction Place which are very exciting.
"I'm at a point where I want to do it for myself.
"I don't want to get to 50 and kick myself for not giving it a go.
"We also just want to get a bit closer to family."
Mr Kapay went to Wodonga High School and played for Wodonga Bulldogs in the Ovens and Murray league before landing the "chance of a lifetime" to work at Oliver's famous Fifteen restaurant in London.
"I got to spend Christmas with Jamie and his family one year and did lots of private work with him at his home," Mr Kapay said.
"He still sends me a birthday message every year."
Mr Kapay returned to Australia in 2010 and been the head chef at four restaurants in Melbourne including one owned by Oliver, Hare & Grace and St Kilda Sea Baths.
He will complete a re-branding of Broadgauge – the restaurant will be known as Miss Amelie.
"It's time to be my own boss," he said.
"I want to creat a restaurant with energy where I can share my passion and career experience with local and travelling diners.
"It will be a city experience on the border in a casual environment with first class food.
"We plan to work closely with local produces to find the best ingredients."
Ms Jones and Mr Carne haven't confirmed their future plans.
They previously operated The Kitchen restaurant at Howlong's Courthouse Hotel and the award-winning Sourcedining in Albury.
