Welcome Home Pierre Pierre Khodja has been appointed Executive Chef at the Flinders Hotel.
Pierre is renowned for his culinary approach, creating interesting, flavour-packed dishes, with subtle and skilful use of eclectic spices, delivered with the master stroke born of his classic French training.
His role is to develop Flinders Hotel into a true culinary destination on the Mornington Peninsula, as the centrepiece of extensions to the Hotel.
Pierre s expertise has been invaluable in directing the food and beverage team, according to Karen Inge, Director of the Zig Inge Group which owns the Hotel.
Pierre Khodja brings vast international experience, along with working at two restaurants which achieved a coveted Chefs Hat in the Age Good Food Guide, to the Flinders Hotel and we are thrilled he will be working with our head chef, Michael Jennings, and the rest of the team, Following the successful refurbishment of The Deck Bar Bistro and Locals Bar in 2009, stage two works began in February, including extensive renovations of the dining area into a restaurant, function and conference venue with first class finishes and features.
The existing motel units will be replaced with a new two-storey state of the art boutique hotel, featuring 40 luxury rooms incorporating two bridal suites, offering exceptional accommodation on the Peninsula.
Algerian born but growing up in Marseille, Pierre Khodja commenced his training as a chef and refined his culinary skills in Paris.
In the late 1980s he moved to London and took a position under chef Guy Mouillron at Na Cuisine.
From there, Pierre moved to Roof Garden at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, where he worked under chef Remy Frugere.
Pierre s first Head Chef position was at Restaurant San Carlo where his talents were quickly recognized and led to a position with Bruno Loubet at the famous Bistro Loubet.
During his three years at Bistro Loubet, the restaurant was awarded many accolades - including a Michelin Red M, three AA Rosettes and an Evening Standard Eros Award.
Moving to Australia in 2001, he established his own restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula, Albert Street, quickly gaining popularity and cult status with patrons excited by Pierre s skilful use of spices, creating flavour-packed and exotic dishes.
The restaurant was awarded an Age Good Food Hat.
Pierre took up the position of Head Chef at Canvas restaurant in Hawthorn in 2006, which was awarded an Age Good Food Hat in 2010 and 2011.
Pierre was described as a wizard in the kitchen by restaurant critic Bob Hart.
Pierre Khodja now returns to the Mornington Peninsula restaurant scene, an area he lives in and loves, and his unique talents can be experienced in the Deck Bar Bistro meals at the Flinders Hotel.
family friendlyOPEN 7 DAYSCNR COOK AND WOOD STREET FLINDERS PH 03 5989 0201bistrolocals bar 72 good life - june, july, august 2011