Rockpool quartet splits

When four senior members of the Rockpool empire struck out on their own last year to open Cipro Pizza al Taglio in Alexandria, many wondered if it would be a case of many hands making light work or too many heavyweights?

The latter has proved the case, with former Rockpool head chef Khan Danis and his partner, Catherine Adams (Rockpool's former executive pastry chef), out of the Alexandria start-up, which Good Food Under $30 named best new restaurant last week.

Danis says "philosophical differences" were part of the reason he and Adams left the business. Danis also agrees with former Rockpool on George manager Penny Watson-Green's assessment that "we hadn't thought it through; the business wasn't sustainable for four of us".

Watson-Green, who continues to run Cipro with chef Angel Fernandez (yes, another Rockpooler), says: "I'd be lying if I said things were peachy-cream, but there's no ill-feeling; we have the greatest respect for [Danis and Adams]."

Danis says the original plan was to open several outlets, but that idea was shelved.

"We did a bit of money on the joint, so I'm not sure we'll open something else," he says.

The good news for budding restaurateurs is two of Australia's best chefs are back on the market.