Chef Shaun Presland returns to Sake and Rockpool Dining Group

While new restaurants from the Rockpool Dining Group pop up in our cities faster than parking meters, behind-the-scenes senior managers are disappearing almost as fast.

RDG's group culinary director Martin Heierling and corporate executive chef Damien Brassel have both departed in recent weeks, confirmation coming from the group's chief executive officer Thomas Pash.

"It's part of our consolidation, with Neil [Perry] stepping up and [chef] Shaun Presland coming back to lead Sake," he says.

Pash says Neil Perry's long-term business partner, the veteran chef's cousin Trish Richards, "is on the board of the foundation side of the business, but she's not involved in day-to-day operations".

Despite doubts RDG can continue its break-neck speed of expansion, Pash says they won't be pausing after the recent opening of Jade Temple and Rosetta in Sydney.

He says Sake, along with a couple of the group's other brands, will push into the Los Angeles market, with West Hollywood the most likely destination, and London to follow.

They still see growth in the domestic market, with a new Fratelli Fresh venue opening at the Sydney's Entertainment Quarter last weekend.