Top chef Massimo Bottura and Ronni Kahn open Refettorio OzHarvest in Sydney

When world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura met OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn in 2016, a seed was sown

RESTAURANT FITOUTS ARE a complex and pricey business. Consider 481 Crown Street, Surry Hills. Originally a narrow Victorian terrace with 1920s Arts and Crafts embellishments, including decorative glass window features, in more recent decades it has housed neighbourhood diners and cafes.

But two years ago, a generous buyer donated the space to OzHarvest, the food rescue and relief charity with the distinctive yellow-and-black logoed vans. And, after many pandemic delays, the space will open later this month (likely to be February 24) as a beautifully fitted-out eatery. Or rather, a Refettorio.

From the Latin meaning to "remake" or "restore", in Italian "refettorio" is commonly used to mean a dining hall for clergy or even students. Or it was until one of the world's most acclaimed chefs, and all-round force of nature, Massimo Bottura repurposed the concept, along with his dynamic wife and business brain, Lara Gilmore, to refer to a very special kind of social enterprise.

When the pair met OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn during Noma Australia's MAD food symposium at Sydney Opera House in 2016, a seed was sown. A year later, Bottura agreed to headline an OzHarvest zero-waste dinner with a cast of World's 50 Best chefs in Australia for the Melbourne awards ceremony. A Refettorio plan was born.

FULL STORY Care package: Top chef Massimo Bottura opens Refettorio OzHarvest Sydney (SMH)

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Photo: Ronni Khan's OzHarvest has joined forces with Massimo Bottura to open Refettorio Sydney in Surry Hills (Louise Kennerley)