Byron at Byron Appoints New Executive Chef Etienne Karner
- Written by Crystalbrook Collection
Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort is set to unveil its new restaurant and chef on Tuesday, 1 September. Executive Chef Etienne Karner has made a seachange to Byron Bay from Sydney, bringing with him his world-class experience to hero the region’s abundance of stunning sustainable ingredients.
Boasting a career spanning France, Germany, Dubai, India, Ireland, the USA and Caribbean, Etienne joins the Restaurant from Park Hyatt Sydney, where he held the position of Executive Chef.
Forest’s opening menu will serve contemporary, approachable and distinctly Australian cuisine. Highlights include poached Ballina king prawns with avocado, green apple and coriander, Paroo kangaroo tartar with lemon myrtle mayo, line caught local Jewfish with Windaboo mushrooms or for the sweet tooth, a nest of Kataifi pastry with white chocolate and salted caramel parfait.
Explaining further, Karner says Forest is “a hyper-local ode to the area’s exceptional produce, artisans, and farmers. Byron Bay is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and every effort has been made towards sustainability in line with Crystalbrook Collection’s commitment to Responsible Luxury.”
Set next to a lush rainforest oasis, Forest is passionately local with over 80% of ingredients coming from within a three-hour drive of the Restaurant. The utmost care for the surrounding landscape has been woven throughout the menu, with only sustainably sourced seafood and free-range proteins used in Karner’s dishes. Guaranteeing transparency in regards to food sourcing, Forest’s wet and dry aged beef is farmed at Crystalbrook Station*.
Throw in an organic herb garden, on-property beehives and a worm farm fit for a tv garden guru and you’ll start to get the idea.
Thirsty for something a little different? Try the Butterfly Gardens signature cocktail with Ink Gin infused with rosemary, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, lavender and fresh lemon. Alternatively, peruse the national and international wine list, with options for every budget, as well as a selection of more than 30 sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines.
Phase one of Byron at Byron’s $6 million refresh will be unveiled on 1 September. Phase two, includes further updates to guest suites and a new Eléme Day Spa, which will be unveiled in November.
