Blake is back

Andrew Blake has made a comeback to the Melbourne restaurant game.

The chef, who gained a high profile in the '90s with his Southgate restaurant Blake's and CBD venue Stella, still operates his catering business Blake's Feast and has bought into the St Kilda diner Joe's Bar and Dining Hall, with current owner Rob Gringlas.

Blake replaces head chef Katrina Higham, who has left to focus on her young family, and will continue the burger, slider, dude-food angle while introducing the "techniques of traditional Texas barbecue" to the menu.