Whisky Uncovered presents: Ten

All good things must come to an end; even yellow latex. 

After ten years (!) aspiring to create relaxed experiences with whisky around Sydney and Melbourne, Steggles and Malt will be hanging up the lurid jacket - but not before one final celebration truly worthy of such a milestone. 

Whisky Uncovered has always put fun at the top of our agenda. And we've found ourselves gravitating to like-minded individuals time and time again; individuals such as Nelly Robinson, chef and owner at nel. Restaurant - arguably the 'funnest' person in food. Continuing to breathe life into Sydney’s dining scene, nel. is pioneering a global-infused culinary experience that has set Sydneysiders’ tastebuds alight. Spearheading the kitchen, chef Nelly and his team are widely celebrated for their unique dining experience. Nelly’s robust understanding and appreciation of the best produce and respectful but candid storytelling is showcased in every dish and is guaranteed to throw guests into a food frenzy.

Guests at our final experience have all this and more to look forward to. In partnership with Creative Collaborations Lead for Glenfiddich and The Balvenie Ross Blainey, we'll be laying down a spectacular 10-course whisky, cocktails and food pairing menu, all wrapped up in Whisky Uncovered's signature afternoon experience! Plus a few of our trademark surprises, of course.

Tickets for this experience will be extremely limited, and we're only running the event once. So jump in, before the chicken flies the coop.

***
100% of all paid ticket sales will be donated to Beyond Blue, in support of positive mental health for Australians. 
***

About Our Chef: Nelly Robinson

Nelly began his career as a kitchen hand at the tender age of 14 at Michelin- starred restaurant Northcote Manor (UK), He stepped into the kitchen full time at 15 to start his apprenticeship. Trained by chef patron Nigel Haworth and his team, including Warrick Dodds and Mark Birchall, Nelly was the first to complete an apprenticeship at Northcote. Nelly then worked around the world in more Michelin star restaurants in the UK and abroad.

At 29, Nelly opened nel., offering guests a unique dining experience with an innovative flair. Well known for his role as nel. restaurant’s executive chef and owner, Nelly has found his feet as one of Australia’s top chef personalities. His attention to detail, especially when it comes to guest interaction, has earned him a loyal following of international and local guests.

Nelly has been invited to cook as a special guest at many Australian and international events. Including Obsession 18 in the UK, with him cooking alongside some of the cooking greats from around the world. His recent adventures include Bangkok and Abu Dhabi – as a competitor in the Taste of Abu Dhabi World’s Best Dish competition with 11 leading chefs from around the globe. In 2016, he took over Vinum restaurant in PER AQUUM’s Huvafen Fushi luxury resort in the Maldives, for an exclusive dinner and masterclass. In 2017, he designed a menu that was featured at a corporate event for the Taste of Sydney festival. He has also had the honour of cooking for Queen Elizabeth II at her 90th birthday celebrations at the British High Commission in Canberra. In 2015/2016 nel. was voted best restaurant in Australia by Timeout by the people of Australia and was also given #1 best restaurant of Australia by Dimmi/TripAdvisor in 2016.

Notably, Nelly was a finalist in the Chef of the Year Gault & Millau 2017 Award. This follows his nomination as a finalist in the 2016 Awards, receiving an impressive 16.5/20 from the judges in 2017.

In 2022 Nelly launched a pop-up restaurant with KFC where he took the inspiration from their offerings and turned them into an 11course degustation menu. With the campaign reaching over 1.6 billion people it is now officially the most successful activation in the history of KFC. Nelly also works with and has created some amazing events for partners such as Penfolds, Destination NSW, Bremont, Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Airlines, IHG, Subaru and Cartier, where he took over the Sydney Opera House. Nelly and NEL were awarded #79 best restaurant in Australia in the Australian financial awards in their first year. 

Nelly himself was voted #228 in the top 300 chefs of the world by best chefs of the world which was held in Milan.

About Our Spirits Partner: Ross Blainey

Ross grew up near Glasgow, Scotland and has always had a passion not only for whisky but for the culture behind his beloved national spirit. Ross has more than a decade of experience in the liquor industry and believes the most important thing to remember about whisky is to enjoy it. With qualifications across the whisky category including the prestigious General Certificate of Distillation Ross has a deep understanding of the production of his national spirit.

Ross was voted 12th most influential in the hospitality industry by Australian Bartender Magazine 2022. Ross has become one of the most well known storytellers and creatives in the industry winning Brand Ambassador of the year 2020 as well as being a finalist in Icons of whisky awards and others.

Beyond spreading the unique story, craft and knowledge behind both distilleries, his role encompasses brand cultural marketing, creating and growing partnerships and collaborations, and leading creative. Recent works include Glenfiddich x Chase Shiel Grand Cru XXIII custom sneakers, Glenfiddich x Jordan Dalah Limited Edition Grand Cru, Glenfiddich x Jordan Gogos Collaborations (which have recently been aquired by the Powerehouse museum Sydney), and The Balvenie Makers campaign across a group of creatives which recently won a Ad campaign of the year with Mumbrella 2022. In this role Ross has been asked to speak at AdNews Live for their Metaverse conferences as well as with The Australian Business Review on the future of creativity in business.

Ross is also the co-founder and owner of Luxury Boutique Resort, Blackbird Byron. With his Business partner James Hudson they have created a beautiful hideaway boutique resort which has been named in Tatler magazines top 101 hotels of the world as well as making the top 10 of Channel 10s “Hotels by Design” series.

Ross began in luxury hospitality whilst studying history, philosophy and Spanish at Glasgow University, working in top venues such as One Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow and Icebergs dining room and bar, Sydney. Always having an eye for luxury his father did advise him at an early age the he“better get a good job, you’re always pointing out the expensive things!”. Working with such luxury brands as Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Blackbird was always on the cards.

You can find Ross on instagram here: @ross_blainey

Whisky Uncovered has partnered with Ross on several occasions; each time seeking to 'push the boat out' and deliver a truly unique and special experience for guests; most recently at the conclusion of the 'Day/Night' series and prior to that, as part of the world-first 'Spring Symphony' Australian tour with Danish dramophiles Whisky Sound, and our 'Warm Fuzzies' series. We couldn't think of a better partner for our swan (chicken?) song.

So, it is the end for Whisky Uncovered? Well, at least, for now.... #whiskeringjack

Photos courtesy: Kat Cordwell, May Lawrence Photography, Cole Bennetts Photography, nel. restaurant