Chef Alex Yu is returning to The Star after 18 months at Melbourne Japanese effective diner Yugen.
The sashimi florist has been the omakase chef of the restaurant because it opened in 2022, with the expertise chosen as a key member of the culinary staff after a number of years working alongside Chase Kojima at Sokyo in Sydney.
Now, the chef is returning to Sokyo – however this time, he will probably be fronting the brand new Brisbane location.
“Having labored with the Sokyo staff in Sydney, I can’t wait to see what thrilling challenges await in Brisbane,” says Yu.
“Yugen has been an unimaginable chapter in my profession, and dealing with Stephen [Nairn] and the staff has been a tremendous expertise.”
Samuel Chee has been named as Yugen’s new omakase chef, who has been a part of the brigade since 2022.
Chee has his personal star-studded background, working within the kitchens of Kisume and Nobu earlier than shifting to Yugen in 2022.
“Alex has been mentoring Samuel for a while now as he will get able to flourish within the omakase chef function, and he’s an integral a part of the Yūgen staff,” says Nairn, culinary director of LK Hospitality.
“We’re excited to see him shine and his expertise will guarantee a seamless transition.”
Chee is equally excited to step up, and has paid tribute to Yu.
“It has been an absolute privilege to have labored alongside and discovered from Alex over the previous 18-months,” he says.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to the subsequent section of my profession … and persevering with to ship the identical commonplace of remarkable delicacies and repair that Yūgen is famend for.”
Yugen’s omakase is on the market for bookings solely from Wednesday to Sunday.
Yu’s remaining service is on 28 April earlier than he makes the transfer to Brisbane.
