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F&B PARTNERSHIPS: COOL COLLABORATIONS
Cool collaborations
Specialised food outlets in addition to your bistro offer are becoming more prevalent, and some hotels are teaming up with known food entities to create another offer in house.
WITH FOOD offerings being one of the main enticements getting patrons into venues, having multiple food offerings in your pub gives people a reason to return to your venue time and time again. Pop-ups are a great way to keep the offering new and interesting, but partnering with another food brand that already has a cult following is a sure-fire way of getting more people to come to your venue.
Two venues in Sydney have recently announced new in-house collaborations with other food operators. The Imperial Hotel in Erskineville, recently acquired by Universal Hotels, has announced that the famed Pizza Bros, Joey Pepperoni and Marty McFly, will be taking the helm at The Imperial’s Rooftop. Meanwhile, at The Norfolk in Redfern, Rico’s Tacos will be taking over two levels of the corner pub.
Both the Pizza Bros and Rico’s Tacos are hugely popular in Sydney. Pepperoni and McFly – their legal names – have been the head pizza makers at some of the best pizza joints in the city, including Bella Brutta, Gigi’s and The Dolphin Hotel. Pizza aficionados have followed them from venue to venue.
Meanwhile, thanks to a previous Chippendale fixture and roving food carts, Rico’s Tacos has a following around all of Sydney and beyond.
Now the Pizza Bros will be moving permanently to the Imperial Hotel Rooftop, which will add a new dimension to the beloved inner-city hotel. The Brothers are set to unveil an array of pizzas, including the Margo Picasso, featuring fior di latte, spotted tomato sugo, confit garlic and basil; while the Waterworld is made with house-made fermented chilli sauce, fior di latte, garlic prawns, and pancetta. Meat-eaters lovers will relish the Quality Beast with tomato sugo, fior di latte, red onion, LP’s Salami Cotto, and Whole Beast Butchery salsicce. Vegan options and weekly specials also promise to elevate the dining experience.
“The Pizza Bros are not just pizza makers; they’re a cultural phenomenon,” said Harris Kospetas, CEO of Universal Hotels, new owners of The Imperial.
“Their passion, creativity, and connection to the community resonate with everything we stand for at The Imperial. This collaboration promises a culinary experience that’s truly one of a kind.”
Meanwhile, Rico’s Tacos founder and executive chef Toby Wilson has found a new home at The Norfolk, and will expand the brand with the help of Norfolk’s owners Public Hospitality. It is expected to open within the hotel this month.
The menu will include its rotating taco of the week; tacos al pastor - including neon lights in its honour - and the famous twice-fried hash brown with chipotle salt and salsa roja.
Interiors will be reminiscent of Mexican sports bars with a distinct difference between both levels, taking guests from the colourful beer garden to Club Ricos upstairs.
Public will invest and support the longterm growth of Ricos Tacos as part of the acquisition, while Wilson to remain at the helm of the food and creative.
“Ricos Tacos was always destined for big crowds at a carne asada, a huge al pastor, and cerveza and tequila flowing. I’ve spent a lot of time at The Norfolk being a Sydney local and it’s the perfect place for the version of Ricos Tacos I’ve been envisioning since I started in the food truck,” stated Wilson.
“Jon [Agdemis] and the team at Public have allowed me full creative license and support to enhance its offering. I can’t wait to show everyone what we’re working on,” said Wilson.
The partnership with Wilson is the second food partnership for Public within the Norfolk Hotel, which also houses La Salut, a Catalan wine and small plates bar from the Love Tilley group.
“The partnership with Toby and Rico’s Tacos is no exception to the way Public collaborate with the best in food and beverage to support them in finding the best version of their offering. It’s our intent to bring the community and locals on board to create experiences meaningful and missing in the area,” said Jon Adgemis, executive chairman at Public.
“Redfern is an important location for us to invest in further as we have with the success of La Salut, and I am confident Rico’s Tacos at The Norfolk will complete the precinct.”
