Andrew McConnell's chef shuffle

He is a busy man, that Andrew McConnell. The same week he closed his Supernormal pop-up canteen in Gertrude Street, he has restructured some of his top-tier staff as he gears up to transform St Kilda's Asian-inspired Golden Fields, into an as-yet-unnamed European-style wine bar and bistro.

Chris Watson, who has headed up the kitchen at McConnell's flagship, Cutler & Co, for two and a half years, will partner McConnell in St Kilda.

Shifting into the head chef role at Cutler is Rory Cowcher, who worked for McConnell at Carlton's Three One Two in 2006, then ventured overseas. He joined Cutler & Co two years ago as a junior sous chef. "We've been working towards this [handover] for just over six months," says McConnell.

The emblematic chicken feet coat hooks will go when the transformation to European wine bar and bistro begins just after Easter. McConnell expects to reopen in early May.

Watson will make his own charcuterie, bread and butter on site, but don't expect to find lobster rolls on the menu. They'll be at Supernormal at 180 Flinders Lane, which McConnell also hopes to open in May.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Prahran-based studio Projects of Imagination will oversee Golden Fields's transformation. This was incorrect. The company will be responsible only for the brand identity.