Gordon Ramsay, one of the world’s most popular chefs, is set to provide a further boost to the culinary options at Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne.

The list of fine dining options at Crown already includes Nobu, Bistro Guillaume, Rockpool, Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons and the brasserie by Philippe Mouchel.

Ramsay’s ‘Maze’ restaurant will open in early 2010 in Crown’s third hotel – which is currently under construction.

Maze, which is in operation in New York, London and Prague, offers diners an Asian influence on French cuisine. Its London version won Best New Restaurant at the renowned ‘San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ Awards in 2007 and it has also received one michelin star.

Crown’s CEO, David Courtney said in a statement that the entry of Ramsay was part of their strategy to bring “some of the world’s best dining experiences to Crown and Melbourne”.

“We’re thrilled to announce the exciting news that Gordon Ramsay will open a Maze restaurant at Crown,” he advised. “Gordon Ramsay and Maze fit extremely well within the positioning of our new hotel as Maze has become renowned for being stylish, contemporary and providing an innovative food offer.”

Ramsay hinted that the Crown offering could be the start of creating a greater presence in Australia. “This is our first step in bringing the Gordon Ramsay brand to Australia and after having seen the way Crown operates feel that this is an exciting and challenging opportunity,” he said.

On a visit to Sydney in June, Ramsay outlined his intention to hire an Australian chef as he believes that, with the great talent in Australia, it would be a mistake to bring in a chef from overseas. “It’s about the chef,” he said at the time. ”That’s the fundamental key ingredient. I’d be stupid not to employ a local Aussie.”

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