The Agrarian Kitchen’s celebrated culinary duo Rodney Dunn and Severine Demanet bring their team and beloved Tasmanian restaurant to the AO Glasshouse for Australian Open 2026.
Awarded Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year, The Agrarian Kitchen is a celebration of provenance through their dedication to farm to table philosophy and seasonal pursuit of culinary excellence.
The Write Drop spoke to Rodney Dunn for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
Hobart is just the right size. Large enough to provide world class dining but small enough that it’s easy to catch up with friends and run into people you know. It’s also easy to get away and into nature. I’m privileged to live in the countryside just a 40-minute drive away.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
Hiša Franko in Slovenia was unforgettable, best known for its 3-star Michelin dining, but if you stay there the breakfast the next morning is next level. Looking out at these deep green fields stretching all the way to the mountains, while eating local cheese, charcuterie, house made bread and pastries with fruit and yoghurt that tasted like it came straight from that view—it just all clicked. One of those “this is why we do this” moments.
FAVOURITE BAR
Schole in Hobart on a Tuesday night transforms into a Tachinomi, standing bar. With exceptional bar snacks, great wines and sake. I’m always up for learning more about sake so that’s what I tend to go for most often.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
It would have to be a seasonal fruit-based cocktail, not a daiquiri, something refined and considered.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Probably the last person to answer this, I tend not to drink enough to be in this predicament, but my 18-year-old son and his friends swear by a certain type of Korean Pear juice.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Caretakers Cottage in Melbourne, love the small room intimate vibes and of course the superbly crafted beverages. Looking forward to visiting their new venue Three Horses, the drinks look next level.
OVERSEAS BAR
Japan has been our overseas choice of holiday destination for the last few years and we have indulged ourselves in Tokyo with a stay at The Four Seasons Otemachi. The Virtu Bar there is sublime, amazing staff, great atmosphere and bar snacks and of course amazing drinks.
FAVOURITE WINE
Really loving Tasmanian Syrah at the moment and Mewstone do one of my favourites as does Pooley wines.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Last year we had our staff Christmas party at Mewstone wines in the channel area south of Hobart. It overlooks the D’Entrecasteaux channel with views across to Bruny Island, a magical part of the world.
NEXT DESTINATION
Japan. I go back again and again. The dedication to craft, the food culture – it’s endlessly inspiring.
WHAT APPEALED ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026 COLLABORATION
The AO brings people together in a big way, and that’s what we love doing with food. Bringing people in and giving them a memorable experience. It’s a great chance to showcase Tasmanian produce to a huge audience.
DISHES YOU’RE SERVING AT THE AUS OPEN 2026
The Agrarian Kitchen at The Glasshouse is a chance to bring our philosophy on food to Melbourne. We will be sourcing the best seasonal produce Victoria has to offer, applying thoughtful technique and balance and finishing with a touch of our own ferments and flavours from the garden.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO FOOD AND DRINK WISE AT AO 2026
Really looking forward to cooking Agrarian Kitchen food at The Glasshouse, Also I am obsessed with the Peach Melbourne and will be looking forward to indulging in a few of those as well as the Lemon Ace, The AO official cocktail which go down very well in the Melbourne Summer heat.
