Fire prompts chef change

The departure of head chef Adam Liston has delayed the reopening of Fitzroy restaurant The Commoner after serious damage from a fire in late April. Co-owners Jo Corrigan and chef Matt Donnelly have decided Donnelly will return to head up the kitchen when the Johnston Street eatery reopens on July 10. Liston, who says the delays in opening prompted him to move on, is operating a pop-up restaurant, called Borrowed Space, on Monday nights at Richmond's Swan Street Social. Liston is joining forces with chef Joel Alderson, who is employed as a chef consultant to the Hotel Windsor in the city. The pair will offer four courses for $65. Opening night is June 17.