墨尔本知名主厨Andrew McConnell及其妻子Jo McGann旗下的餐饮集团Trader House收购了圣基尔达（St Kilda）的标志性餐厅Stokehouse[1]。这家成立于1990年1月1日的餐厅已有36年历史，由Frank、Sharon和Hugh van Haandel家族经营，将于2024年10月完成交接[1]。
McConnell承诺保留Stokehouse的特色和现有团队，在2027年前不进行大规模调整[1]。该餐厅曾在2014年遭大火摧毁后重建，成为澳大利亚最环保的餐厅之一[1]。这家餐厅曾接待过众多国际知名人士，包括Barack和Michelle Obama、Noel Gallagher和Robert De Niro等[1]。
McConnell在餐饮业经验丰富，曾于2000年代中期担任圣基尔达另一家餐厅Circa The Prince的主厨，最著名的创意是2020年开业的Gimlet餐厅[1]。此次收购使Trader House在墨尔本的场所增至7家，该集团在昆州还运营Supernormal Brisbane和Bar Miette两家餐厅，其中Bar Miette于2024年开业[1]。
Andrew McConnell and his wife Jo McGann, through their hospitality group Trader House, have purchased Stokehouse, the landmark St Kilda restaurant established in 1990 [1]. The acquisition will be completed in October 2024, marking a transition from the van Haandel family, who have operated the 36-year-old venue since its opening on January 1, 1990 [1].
McConnell has committed to preserving the restaurant's character and existing team, pledging to avoid major changes until 2027 [1]. The restaurant, which was rebuilt following a destructive fire in 2014 to become one of Australia's most environmentally sustainable dining establishments, has hosted notable patrons including Barack and Michelle Obama, Noel Gallagher, and Robert De Niro [1]. Trader House currently operates seven venues across Melbourne and two in Queensland, including Supernormal Brisbane and Bar Miette, which opened in 2024 [1]. McConnell, who previously served as head chef at Circa The Prince, another St Kilda restaurant, in the mid-2000s, is best known for opening Gimlet in 2020 [1].