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One of Australia’s most celebrated chefs has closed his Noosa restaurant after two years.
Peter Kuruvita has not revealed why Alba Noosa has closed, just two weeks after it was commended in the Australian Good Food Guide’s (AGFG) Chef Hat Awards.
But he said the glamorous venue was set to reopen as an events space at an unspecified date.
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“After two years of delicious food, fabulous events and cooking classes, Alba Noosa is now closed for the immediate future,” Kuruvita wrote on Instagram.
“Our successful collaboration has come to an end, and I’m excited to see what the future holds, both for myself and Alba.
“My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who dined at the restaurant or attended a cooking class, our local suppliers, and community for all your support over the past two years.
“I wish Alba Noosa all the best for their next chapter as an event venue.”
Kuruvita, TV personality, chef and restaurateur of more than 40 years, said his ”amazing team” showed “passion and dedication in bringing Alba to life”.
“We achieved many accomplishments and much recognition during my time there,” he said.
Reportedly, Alba was forced to close after investors pulled the pin on the operation.
It’s unclear if the restaurant was in financial trouble in the lead-up to the decision.
In recognising Alba, AGFG said the restaurant was a “beautifully designed space” that culinarily revolved around “Peter Kuruvita’s signature style of global flavours and the Sri Lankan spices of his childhood, expressed in a contemporary manner to let seasonal produce and local seafood shine through”.
Kuruvita made headlines in 2022 when he announced the restaurant would supply cheap accommodation for staff after becoming exasperated by workers’ struggles to find housing in real estate and tourism jewel Noosa.
“One of my team members recently left because of no accommodation,” he told 7NEWS in November 2022.
“All they could find was a one-bedroom apartment with a lady who smoked heavily, all shared facilities, for $350 a week.
“So what’s the point?”