James Kidman joins Cafe Sydney as executive chef

In a boost to its dining credentials, Cafe Sydney has snared former Otto head chef James Kidman.

Cafe Sydney always had the views and an enviable reputation, without scaling dizzy heights with its food. Kidman starts August 11 as executive chef, building on the 290-seaters' already credible 14/20 in the SMH Good Food Guide.

"All I've said is we're not an Italian restaurant, but James feels genuinely excited by the fact he can cook outside of the cuisine," says Cafe Sydney boss Jan McKenzie.

Kidman already has form beyond Italian when he headed the food at the National Gallery in Canberra, an experience that also taught him how to turn out good food in decent numbers.

McKenzie says Kidman won't turn the menu on its head overnight. "He's been impressed by the technical componentry of the food. Some of the dishes he might re-engineer, but I'm also happy to be shaken up," she says.