Manu Feildel is one of Australia’s enduring celebrity chefs. Appearances on Channel 10’s Ready, Steady, Cook and My Kitchen Rules have made him a household name. In July, for the first time in four years, Feildel will return to the kitchen to lead a new neighbourhood bistro inside Rozelle’s historic Red Lion Pub.

Feidel tells Broadsheet the opportunity to lead a kitchen – with longtime friend and executive chef Jamie Gannon – was too good to refuse:

“I'm older, wiser, smarter and I'm doing it for the right reason this time more than ever. I just want to have fun cooking again with no other agenda.”

The new bistro – which is part of a $1.5 million renovation by operator Laundy Hotels (Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Woolly Bay Hotel, Woolwich Pier Hotel) – will serve classic French fare from French-Australian chef’s family archives.

“My aim is not to please the food critics but please the customers that want to come for a great lunch or evening dinner.”

Bistro Red Lion will open at 726 Darling Street on Friday, July 12.