Outstanding Achievement Award - Con Christopoulos
The Age
Tuesday August 26, 2008
'THE man is a brand unto himself." So we say in the 2009 Age Good Food Guide acknowledging the Con Christopoulos tsunami of influence over Melbourne during the past 10 years. "And its values? European food, wine and coffee sophistication; an anti-design aesthetic; and a casual chic that belies hospitality professionalism."
If Melbourne is characterised by its hidden laneway locations, a relaxed wine culture, rustic continental food and a "look" that is part op-shop, part Trans Europe Express, Christopoulos deserves the credit for forging the identity and refining it.If what they say about imitation and flattery is only half true, Con Christopoulos must be wearing an almost permanent blush. When it comes to the food, wine and coffee business here, he is a serial killer. Over the past 12 months alone, with the various strategic partnerships he has forged throughout the city with operators such as Chris Kerr, Josh Brisbane and John Vakalis, three new businesses have found their wings, at once defining, and redefining, the Melbourne mood.Gills Diner and its associated Commercial Bakery; Journal Canteen (an adjunct to the established Journal Cafe he co-owns); and the rooftop bar Siglo, which of course crowns his three Spring Street businesses: European, Melbourne Supper Club and City Wine Shop.If it were as easy as re-creating a "look", the feeling a cafe or restaurant has been there much longer than it has by using old furnishings and second-hand materials, more entrepreneurs would have enjoyed Christopoulos' success. But it's not. Yes, the look has a lot to do with why Melburnians love The Con's places. But his skill is in recognising the synthesis of all the facets of hospitality: making people welcome, giving them what they want, transporting them from the ordinary and, most of all, ensuring the food, wine and coffee they consume is interesting, of high quality and has integrity.In the food-wine-coffee world, he is King Con, the deserving Monarch of Moomba. It's one hell of an achievement. -- JOHN LETHLEAN
© 2008 The Age
