Matt Abergel, chef and co-founder of Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Yardbird, is coming to Sydney for one night only. On Wednesday 25 November, he’ll bring Yakido (the name Yardbird uses for its projects outside of Hong Kong) to Bessie’s and Alma’s in Surry Hills for the fourth instalment of The Goodies Hospitality’s Goodies & Friends series.
Abergel opened Yardbird in Hong Kong in 2011 with business partner Lindsay Jang. It built its name on whole chickens broken down and grilled over binchotan, served beak to tail as skewers. His 2017 cookbook, Chicken and Charcoal, brought that approach to home cooks worldwide, and went on to win a James Beard award in 2019 for best book in the restaurant and professional category. Yardbird has continued evolving over the past 15 years, earning its first Michelin star in 2021.
Abergel has designed a menu that will mix Yardbird classics with new dishes he’s created for this Sydney visit, so guests can try things they can’t order in Hong Kong. He’s sourcing the best chickens he can find locally and breaking them down whole, Yardbird-style. Menu highlights include: kanpachi tartare; chicken skewers; sweet corn tempura; a katsu sandwich; and an ice cream sandwich for dessert. In Alma’s bar, guests can drop in for a drink and order from a separate list of snacks.
“We’ve long admired Matt as one of the leading figures in food globally. He’s changed the way people think about yakitori, and you can see his influence in kitchens all over the world,” says Nathan Sasi, chef and co-owner of The Goodies Hospitality. “You can grab a few snacks and a beer at the bar, or sit down in the dining room and order your way through the menu. We can’t wait for this one.”
Goodies & Friends launched in September with Dan Hunter of Brae at Bessie’s. Vin Cenzo’s then celebrated its first birthday with Giorgio De Maria and Tipo 00, and in October Dave Verheul of Embla and Saison took over the kitchen at Bessie’s. The series will continue over the coming months, with one-off collaboration with guest chefs and acclaimed restaurants and bars across the group’s portfolio – Bar Copains, Bessie’s, Alma’s, Vin-Cenzo’s and La Buvette.
The Yakido x Bessie’s and Alma’s event seats 120 guests, with bookings available from 5.30pm until 9pm. Bookings are essential via SevenRooms.
