Alexandria's Vicinity Dining attracts Erik Janssen

Chinatown's $10 million Waitan restaurant continues to leak kitchen talent, with its executive sous chef Erik Janssen joining head chef John Rankin as another departee.

Janssen, who possesses an enviable CV including a long spell as head chef at North Bondi Italian, has joined Vicinity Dining in Alexandria.

Vicinity owner Rob Rubis confirmed he has also snared former Otto head chef James Kidman as a consultant chef, working alongside Janssen. Kidman has been scouting locations to eventually open his own restaurant.

Across the road from the Grounds, Vicinity is one of the pioneers of Alexandria's transformation into a serious eating hub. Janssen will push more seasonal menus and ''cleaner'' food.

''Young chefs tend to add and add to the plate; when you get older like me you tend to take away from the plate instead and let the amazing produce we have here in Australia speak for itself,'' he says.