Small Business Minister Andrea Michaels last week announced the Favaro family – who operate Chianti restaurant in Hutt Street and also Bar Torino – had won the tender to run the new “casual restaurant and events space” at Carrick Hill.

Hage and Gabel unsuccessfully bid for the tender after operating the existing Carrick Hill café through their Tabel Catering business for almost a decade.

The two have also catered for events from a marquee perched on the hilltop near the grand heritage manor house set in 26 hectares of gardens. The marquee is set to be removed by the end of the year.

“We’ve been working together for 25 years now,” Hage says about the business partners who first started at Chapel Hill Winery and then ran The Food Business in Hazelwood Park.

“It’s a bit sad to leave … I’m going to miss the gardens, the people, I think we’ve made some really good friends with the clientele, the people who love Carrick Hill, the people who support Carrick Hill.”

Hage said the business was involved in negotiations to move elsewhere but hoped to continue operating the existing café until the new pavilion opens.

When Michaels announced the new project last year it was due to cost $6.7 million, which had risen from the original $5 million building plan announced in September 2020.

A government spokesperson blamed COVID-related construction costs and delays, adding that the Carrick Hill Foundation had increased its pledge to the project from $2 million to $3.2 million.

Michaels also previously said the visitor centre and dining pavilion would open in September this year with the kitchen to be run by British head chef Josh Cooke, but this has now been pushed out to November.

She attributed the later opening date to wet weather and some additional fit-out work being undertaken ahead of the Favaro Group’s commencement in the space.

The new building will command sea views from its elevated position near the existing carpark at Carrick Hill. It will overlook the nearby original centrepiece home on the nearly 40ha estate once owned by Sir Edward and Lady Ursula Hayward.

Construction started earlier this year on the venue, designed by Ashley Halliday architects, which will house an event space for up to 200 people and a casual dining cafe with views of the Basket Range sandstone house.

From left: Peter Kennedy (Chair, Carrick Hill Development Foundation), Susan McCormack (Director, Carrick Hill), Nick Favaro (Director Favaro Group), Maria Favaro (Favaro Group Founder), Frank Favaro (Favaro Group Founder), Jessica Favaro-Richards (Director Favaro Group) and Scott Bryant (Chair, Carrick Hill Trust). Photo: Domenic Scopelliti.

Michaels said the $7.2m funding cost includes additional car parking funded by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, solar panels funded by the Foundation, and sundry other minor expenses.

The Commonwealth contribution remains at $3 million; the Department of the Premier and Cabinet has contributed approximately $1 million and Carrick Hill Development Foundation $3.265 million through fundraising and donations.

“This is a new step forward for the Favaro Group and we look forward to bringing our passion for quality food and warm Italian service to the stunning garden setting of Carrick Hill,” Jessica Favaro-Richards said.