Maha Bar and Tulum host guest chefs with one-off modern Middle Eastern menus

It seems that after a year of lonely lockdowns, chefs can't wait to get back to collaborating with their peers.

Restaurateur Shane Delia is about to launch a series celebrating Middle Eastern cuisine at Maha Bar, the Collingwood venue he opened to acclaim immediately before the pandemic struck.

Over four Tuesdays starting May 18, the restaurant will host chefs from across the country, including Queenslanders Ben Williamson and Adam Wolfers, both with history at Gerard's Bistro, Paul Farag of Sydney's Nour, and former Bar Saracen star Tom Sarafian.

Expect dishes such as fish fatteh, short rib shawarma and a Golden Gaytime with carrot molasses. Tickets $85, mahabar.com.au

Tulum chef-owner Coskun Uysal is changing the public's perception that Turkish food is all about kebabs by inviting a number of his star peers, including Dave Verheul of Embla and Helly Raichura of Enter Via Laundry, to present their take on the broad and beautiful cuisine of his homeland at his Balaclava restaurant.

June's session with Verheul has already sold aout but seats for the magic carpet dinners with Amaru's Clinton McIver in August and John Paul Twomey (ex-Carlton Wine Room) in October are still up for grabs. tulumrestaurant.com.au

In more hosting news, Little Andorra, the Nicholson Street wine bar that has been acting as a culinary halfway house for chefs such as Tom Sarafian and Biji Dining's Harry Mangat, is recruiting its next roving chef to take up residence. littleandorra.com.au