Is Heston Blumenthal Opening a Restaurant in Australia?

Looks like UK chef Heston Blumenthal is ready to add an international property to his list of restaurants. Eater received an invitation to attend a media announcement in Melbourne "regarding [Blumenthal's] first international restaurant" on March 31 (Blumenthal's restaurants The Fat Duck, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, The Crown At Bray, and The Hinds Head At Bray are all in the UK). The announcement will take place at Crown Resorts' Melbourne property and the invite ends with a hasthag, #hestonatcrown, which is not very active at this point. The Daily Telegraph speculates that Blumenthal will be a "chef ambassador" for the group, which has properties in Melbourne, Perth, and is working towards opening in Sydney.

While not technically confirmed yet (there's an embargo on the announcement), Blumenthal's presumed Melbourne or Sydney opening does not come as much of a surprise. Back in October, Blumenthal said he wanted to open a restaurant in Sydney or Melbourne within two or three years. Earlier this year, rumors were swirling about Blumenthal entering into contract negotiations with Crown Resorts. Along with this Australia restaurant, Blumenthal is also opening an airport restaurant in London this Summer. Stay tuned for more details.

· Blumenthal Deal with Packer's Crown Casino Group [Daily Telegraph]
· All Heston Blumenthal Coverage on Eater [-E-]