Blumenthal is taking the entire Fat Duck team with him to Australia for a massive six month relocation. The establishment is due to open in February 2015.

However, upon The Fat Duck’s return to the UK after the six month stint, in the same location as the temporary Fat Duck at Crown Melbourne Resort, Blumenthal and group executive head chef Ashley Palmer-Watts will open Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

The renowned chef commented: “This is an incredible opportunity and I am thrilled that it has worked out the way it has. The Fat Duck is part of a Grade II listed building, so I always knew there would come a time when it would need a little attention and the building itself would require a bit of modernisation – after all, it was built in 1640. I just couldn’t bear the thought of closing for an extended period, though. When we first started conversations with Crown, I saw the potential of the situation and really began to hope. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”

Crown Resorts chairman, James Packer added: “Heston’s decision to relocate The Fat Duck to our Melbourne resort is an incredible result for Crown Resorts and the Victorian tourism industry. To attract an internationally renowned chef and innovator of Heston’s calibre is a reflection on Melbourne’s culinary reputation and Crown’s commitment to dining excellence. The relocation of the coveted restaurant will be a big boost for local tourism, attracting interstate and international guests to Melbourne so they can experience a once in a lifetime dining opportunity.”

The first time Heston visited Australia was in 2003. “I fell in love with the country immediately,” he states. “From that very first moment, the idea took root – someday I wanted to have a restaurant there. The restaurant scene is fantastic, the diversity exciting, and the produce incredible, but better than all of that, the people are just great fun. I love how Australian people celebrate good food; there is such a love of everything from coffee shops to gourmet restaurants and everything in between.”