New restaurant and TV role for Estelle chef Scott Pickett

July heralds a Scott Pickett double-bill, with the opening of his high-end Northcote dining room ESP (Estelle Scott Pickett), and his TV-judging debut on a new reality cooking show and competition, Hotplate.

Pickett judges Hotplate alongside UK food writer Tom Parker Bowles. The pair have travelled around Australia to preside over suburban restaurants whose crew try to out-cook each other to win a $100,000 prize haul. Pickett says he was surprised at the workload involved in television, often working 18-hour days. "I thought being a chef was hard, this was very tough, but very enjoyable." He says. Hotplate airs on Channel Nine late July.

ESP, neighbouring Pickett's recently opened Estelle Bistro, is structurally complete, and Pickett is devising dishes that will feature on the eight-course tasting menu. The room features an open kitchen, which "will create an interactive dining experience where diners will be part of the theatre of the restaurant". ESP is due to open July 17.