6 July 2023
North Sydney’s RAFI will be pioneering Australia’s first artificial intelligence-designed restaurant concept as a pop-up later this month.
Called Luminary, the AI pop-up was the winner of a nationwide contest which attracted 300 entries.
RAFI owner Applejack launched the idea in March. The competition challenged participants to explore the potential of AI technology by submitting a restaurant concept developed with the help of AI tools, for the chance to have their restaurant concept brought to life by the Applejack team.
Perth local Stefanie Wee beat hundreds of entrants from across the country to have her AI generated restaurant concept ‘Luminary’ crowned winner based around an illumination theme centrered on the four elements.
Applejack’s Director of Culinary, Patrick Friesen, and RAFI’s Executive Chef, Matias Cilloniz will join forces in the kitchen, crafting and illuminating dishes that play into the four elements, whilst continuing to illustrate the fresh, seasonal menu, inspired by the coastal elements of Sydney, that RAFI is famed for. Led by nature, Friesen and Cilloniz have curated a menu to celebrate the essence of these elements, with added theatrics.
Water: Locally sourced seafood dishes such as Crystalline scallop with ponzu, sea grapes, caper leaves and seaweed will be served on dry ice.
Earth: Sustainably sourced produce, and vegetables grown in local soils, will come together for a series of illuminated dishes such as Burrata with figs, bottarga and thyme.
Fire: Cooked over charcoal, and served atop of smouldering coals, burning bay leaves and torched paperbark, larger share plates will include Bioluminescent calamari with butter beans and black pudding; and Grilled lamb backstrap with mint salsa verde and quince Mostarda.
Air: Experimenting with molecular techniques to produce culinary foams, dessert dishes will feature bold, and decadent flavour profiles such as Coconut espuma with pearls, pineapple and mezcal.
RAFI is accepting bookings on its website for the popup which starts 29 July: Luminary — RAFI (rafisydney.com.au)