KYABRAM CLUB’S NEW CHEF BRINGS GLOBAL FLAIR TO LOCAL MENU
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Kyabram Club head chef Richard Pattenden brings two decades of international culinary experience to his new role, having worked in acclaimed restaurants across Australia, France and Ireland.
“I’m from Sydney originally and I have been cooking for about 20 years now,” Richard said.
“I did my apprenticeship with two years at Kingsley's Australian Steakhouse, then two years at Bistro Paris, under chef Clement Chauvin.”
His culinary journey took him across continents, with a year in France before moving to Canberra's Sage Restaurant.
He later worked in Ireland at a two-Michelin-star restaurant, and planned to return.
However, this didn’t happen due to visa complications.
Instead, Richard found work closer to what would become his home, working in Moama and Echuca, before his current appointment.
“When the chance came up to become the head chef at the Kyabram Club, being that bit closer to home and a pretty good environment, I jumped at the chance and I’m really enjoying it,” Richard said.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The kitchen's multicultural team has become a source of inspiration and learning.
“We have Chinese-trained chefs, Indian, Nepalese and Sri Lankan chefs,” Richard said.
“They are showing me things which are traditional and original, ingredients and spices that you may not find in the supermarket.”
This diversity particularly shines through in the club’s Monday curry night.
Currently, Richard’s favourite menu item is the butter chicken, prepared by an Indian chef using traditional methods.
“The chef who makes the butter chicken, she is from India and it is pretty good learning authentic Indian from her,” he said.
“It is like a two- or three-day process to make the butter chicken, we are not being lazy.”
Richard is also implementing improvements for dietary requirements.
“We are looking at getting a couple of extra fryers, so we can be 100 per cent gluten free and be able to give a bit more security to guests who are coeliac,” he said.
Kyabram Club bistro is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, with Monday curry night, Tuesday steak night, Wednesday ribs and wings and Thursday members' $20 parmie.
The club is located at 82 Allan St, Kyabram, open Monday to Thursday 10am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 11pm and Sunday 11am to 10pm.
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