Perth’s two-hatted fine dine experience to close its doors after 20 years in service
Perth’s fine dining institution Clarke’s of North Beach is closing its doors after almost 20 years, but chef Stephen Clarke has plans to lead a new team in a new venture at some point in the near future.
Since opening its doors in 2003, Clarke’s has achieved two hat status with the Australian Good Food Guide and has won numerous awards including Catering Institute of Australia’s Gold Plate Award for best formal contemporary dining five times.
It is also only one of 32 restaurants in WA awarded a Chef Hat Award.
The Institute has been kind to Clarke, not only recognising his restaurant, but the man himself naming him WA chef of the year three times, and the Australian Culinary Federation’s national chef of the year.
It is not just the Institute that has recognised Clarke’s talent.
In 2011 Clarke was contracted to Government House to cater for the Queen and Prince Philip during their stay in Perth.
This year he showcased WA produce to the Prime Minister in Canberra.
Clarke hasn’t revealed what plans he has next but has said the “future is very bright”.
“I’m looking forward to leading a new team, producing an environment of creativity and continuing to follow a Western Australian farmer to plate philosophy,” he said.
The multi-award-winning family-run restaurant will close its doors on Thursday.
Irit Jackson, 28th June 2022
