Chef’s Corner: Five Minutes with Woolstore Restaurant and The Retreat head chef, Eli Grubb

Get to know the hands and minds behind your favourite dishes.

Welcome to Chefs Corner, where we take you behind-the-scenes into the kitchen of a renowned hospitality establishment in regional Victoria. From exploring flavours to discovering seasonal delights, and unpacking food memories, this is all about dishes and the creators behind them.

This month we head down to the river end of Geelong’s most refined street, Pakington Street, and it’s central offshoot Retreat Road, to explore the menus of Woolstore Restaurant and The Retreat.

Under the Hamilton Group portfolio, both Woolstore Restaurant and The Retreat are spearheaded by innovative Head Chef Eli Grubb.

Keep up to date with the latest in food and drinks across regional Victoria here.

Five minutes with Eli Grubb, head chef of modern Australian dining destination, Woolstore Restaurant, and French food haven, The Retreat, in Geelong’s Newtown.

What are you cooking with at the moment?

I’m loving beetroot at the moment and featuring it on menus in both of the venues. It’s so versatile and our warm beetroot salad is a crowd favourite at Woolstore.

 

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Favourite culinary destination?

Italy. I had the opportunity to travel there last year. The way the Italians cook food simply yet so thoughtfully will always amaze me. 

Favourite food memory? 

One of my favourites is experiencing the food markets in Barcelona and tasting all the amazing tapas they have in Spain. 

In your opinion, what makes a dish great?  

Sticking to the integrity of the ingredients and letting them shine. I’m learning more and more to not over-complicate dishes.

 

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Who’s currently killing it in the hospitality scene?

The Petrel Hotel is one of my favourite local spots. Food is always on point and super creative and the atmosphere is always fantastic. 

 

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What dish is always on your dinner rotation at home?

Handmade Gnocchi is my go to home comfort food. 

What are you doing when you are not cooking?

I try to surf as regularly as possible. It helps clear the noise and ground me. My partner and I love travelling and eating out.

To view the menu or book a table at Woolstore Restaurant head here, or The Retreat, head here.