MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen says the COVID-19 pandemic ‘has been extremely tough’ on his hospitality business
Life throughout the coronavirus pandemic has been far from sweet for Junior MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen.
The year has been filled with highs and lows, particularly with the 32-year-old being forced to temporarily close his Three Blue Ducks restaurants due to COVID-19.
The decision has been the ‘hardest and most challenging [period] in my whole career’, the co-owner and cook revealed to New Idea.
Life throughout the coronavirus pandemic has been far from sweet for Andy Allen (left with Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo), with the Junior MasterChef Australia judge having to close down his Three Blue Ducks restaurants due to COVID-19
‘To see what you work so hard for get ripped out from underneath you, and to constantly have so much uncertainty around it, has been extremely tough,’ he said.
‘There’s no worse feeling, so I’m looking forward to overcoming it all.’
Three Blue Ducks at Bronte, Byron, Rosebery and Brisbane are now back up and running after temporary closures earlier this year.
The eateries reopened on June 1, June 26 and August 14 respectively.
Three Blue Ducks at Bronte, Byron, Rosebery and Brisbane are back up and running after temporary closures earlier this year. The team notified its followers on social media (pictured) when each of the eateries reopened on June 1, June 26 and August 14 respectively
Three Blue Ducks in Melbourne, however, is still non-operational. It originally opened in July 2019.
Andy told New Idea he hopes to get the business wholly back up and running.
‘It may not sound very exciting, but it would bring the biggest smile to my face,’ he said.
Three Blue Ducks in Melbourne, however, is still non-operational. It opened in July 2019. Pictured: Bookings are unable to be made at the Melbourne site
His comments follow Three Blue Ducks celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The business is co-owned by Mark LaBrooy, Darren Robertson, Chris Sorrell, Sam Reid-Boquist and Jeff Bennett.
‘In September 2010, the first Three Blue Ducks opened with 18 seats, staffed entirely by the three owners, their friends and family,’ the team wrote in a statement.
Three Blue Ducks has celebrated its 10th anniversary in September. Pictured: Three Blue Ducks at Bronte (above) and the Byron Bay site (below)
‘What started out as a couple of kids in the surf dreaming up a future has grown beyond anything we could have expected.
‘We want to take a moment to thank all our customers, producers, suppliers, staff, friends and family for your support over the last decade.’
Andy’s comments also follow him preparing to appear on the junior series of MasterChef Australia, which premieres on Channel 10 at 7.30pm on October 11.
Andy’s comments follow him preparing to appear on the junior series of MasterChef Australia, which premieres on Channel 10 at 7.30pm on October 11. Pictured: Andy (right) with other judges Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo