Melbourne fine diner Lume goes into voluntary administration after staff walkout
One of Melbourne’s most popular fine dine restaurants has gone into voluntary liquidation.
Lume’s owners have struggled to pay staff for some months now but are optimistic that a “culinary transformation” will secure the venue’s future.
The restaurant lost 10 staff, including head chef Diego Huerta Chabert, after the walked out just days before liquidation occurred on June 26.
The walk-out was based on payments disputes, notably a lack of paid superannuation over a three-year period and tips being siphoned off to pay suppliers.
Documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, show the company owes nearly $300,000 in superannuation, $7000 in tips and hundreds of thousands in federal and state taxes.
Debts total around $1,083,000.
Huerta Chabert told Good Food, “It came to the point where I couldn’t defend the staff from the situation.”
Chabert’s superannuation balance is just $416.81 from his years at the restaurant.
As for suppliers, one cleaning company is owed more than $11,000. Wineries, gourmet food distributors, coffee roasters, dairies and several small businesses are owed money.
“We had to change suppliers so many times because they refused to work with us,” Chabert said.
The restaurant opened in 2015, but is no longer taking reservations.
Lume stated: “We momentarily pause our normal operations to craft a novel and innovative menu. Our culinary master will surprise your palate with exceptional flavours and beautifully presented dishes.”
There is no word as to who the culinary master is.
Jonathan Jackson, 25th July 2023
