From Helsinki to Hall St: Bondi lures Finland's most famous chef

From Helsinki to Hall Street, Finland's biggest culinary star will open a restaurant at Bondi Beach next summer. TV presenter, cookbook author, airline consultant and restaurateur Tomi Bjorck's Blanca Bar & Dining will slide into Bondi's The Hub precinct, home to China Diner and Da Orazio restaurants.

"It's a dream come true," says the surf-loving chef, who worked at Quay and Longrain early in his career before heading home to Finland where he is partner in a group of restaurants with a reported turnover of more than €10 million ($15 million).

The chef, who still jets to Finland to write menus and fulfil commercial obligations, relocated to Australia late last year with his family after falling in love with Sydney's lifestyle. The 80-seat Blanca will be a kitchen co-production with his partner in the project, chef Samuel Cole (ex Dinner by Heston Blumenthal).

Despite the rise of Nordic cuisine, Blanca won't be tied to a single food style, Bjorck stresses. "We're trying to hit everyone. It'll have a large menu and really strong pastry," he says.

A star judge on MasterChef Finland, Bjorck has just left for Finland for a quick trip to shoot a lifestyle TV show and launch a new licorice brand. And while he's set to join the growing ranks of overseas chefs with Sydney outposts, it isn't a part-time pursuit. Bjorck argues not only is Bondi one of the world's most famous beaches, it's a location "we're grateful to call our home".