The Agrarian Kitchen’s Stephen Peak Is Taking Over the Kitchen at Thelma for Five Weeks

Everything’s coming up Adelaide.

We’re about to score a string of new openings from Justin James. Last week, it was announced that acclaimed chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone would open Esmay before the end of the year. Now the team from Thelma has come through with some excellent news of their own.

Stephen Peak, the head chef at Agrarian Kitchen, announced two weeks ago that he was leaving the iconic Hobart spot after more than seven years.

Originally from NSW’s Northern Rivers, Peak is headed home by way of Adelaide.

On September 12, he’ll be cooking a one-off dinner and cheese demonstration with Thelma head chef Tom Campbell. The chefs will team up to cook a four-course dinner, which includes cheese they’ll have made that night in front of guests.

The next day, Campbell will head off on holidays and Peak will take over the kitchen while he’s gone. Alongside Thelma’s own James Spreadbury and Olivia Moore, Peak will man the pans at the Piccadilly restaurant until October 19.

“I've known Tom for quite a few years now. I'd like to think we have, a bit of a similar approach to cooking, so if he's in Tassie or if I'm [in SA] we like to hang out,” Peak told Broadsheet. Campbell and Peak have previously cooked alongside each other at The Summertown Aristologist ’s closing party.

Peak’s looking forward to tapping into Thelma’s network of local suppliers (like Presqil), seeing what’s growing and making the most of those ingredients. He’ll be crafting the sort of considered produce-led dishes that have made both Thelma and the Agrarian Kitchen well-known names.

To quote Casablanca, this collaboration is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. “No matter what I'm doing or what Tom's doing, I'd be happy to hang out and cook with him anytime. I hope that we can do a lot more in the future,” he says.
Bookings for the Tom Campbell and Stephen Peak collaboration dinner are open now. Peak will be cooking at Thelma from September 12 until October 19.

@stephenjpeak
@thelmapiccadilly