Mediterranean restaurant Bessie’s will host internationally acclaimed chef James Henry of Le Doyenné, France, for a two-night takeover on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 January 2026. This event marks the second installment of The Goodies Hospitality’s Chef Series, following a collaboration with New Zealand chef Andy Hearnden in October. The series will bring celebrated international chefs to Bessie’s, Alma’s, Bar Copains, and Vin-Cenzo’s, offering Sydneysiders a unique opportunity to enjoy dining experiences from some of the world’s most renowned kitchens. The Chef Series is supported by SevenRooms.
The takeover will see Australian-born, France-based Henry bring his celebrated farm-to-table approach to the Albion Street kitchen, crafting a seasonal set menu that highlights open-fire cooking and ingredients sourced with care. Guests can expect dishes that embody Henry’s hyper-seasonal philosophy, shaped by local Australian produce.
As the co-founder and culinary director of Le Doyenné, a landmark restaurant and working farm set just outside Paris, James Henry has established a reputation for his quiet precision and uncompromising approach that champions simplicity, technique and purity of flavour over extravagance. Prior to his move to France, Henry worked in kitchens throughout Australia, including Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay, and Cumulus Inc in Melbourne under Andrew McConnell. Today, Le Doyenné is widely considered one of the most important dining destinations in Europe.
Bessie’s, which opened in January 2025, is centred on share-style dining and fire-driven cooking, helmed by friends and co-owners Sali and Nathan Sasi and Morgan McGlone. Bessie’s shares its home with Alma’s, a bar dedicated to classic cocktails and playful snacks, where guests can round out the night.
“We’re thrilled to welcome James to Bessie’s for this special two-night event,” says Nathan Sasi, chef and co-owner of Bessie’s. “His philosophy of connecting the kitchen to the land and celebrating pure, seasonal flavours resonates perfectly with our approach to food here at Bessie’s. Our guests are in for something really special.”
Tickets are available via SevenRooms now.
