Marking an Australian-first in food retailing, The Kitchens – a self-described “gastronomic theme park” – has opened on the Gold Coast.
Located at Queensland’s Robina Town Centre, the $160 million eatery is comprised of fresh food retailers, cafes, bars and restaurants, but with farmer’s market edge.
Mall owners QIC commissioned Landini Associates to design and develop an eatery that doubles as a manufacturer’s haven — a “city of food” for shoppers to experience, according to Landini press release.
Opening in late 2016, the marketplace boasts fresh food from retailers, growers, chefs, local artisans and manufacturers, allowing shoppers to watch food being made, learn tips from experts, before buying the food recently made.
Split over two levels, all manufacturing takes place on the mezzanine level. The food hall boasts communal eating and drinking areas throughout top and bottom levels and the market flows outside into the rest of the centre, allowing shoppers to sit and eat in the forecourt whilst being entertained.
SEE ALSO: Tokyo: From Michelin to Fast-food
Robina Town Centre management have recruited entertainment for children and incorporated films and live events for adults, based on food, fashion and style such as visiting chef demonstrations, cultural talks, fashion shows, as well as ‘meet the makers’ segments.
In a society accepting of community disconnection due to increased smartphone use and instant-gratification via technology, The Kitchens gives back community and connection, says Mark Landini, creative director of Landini.
“Most shopping centres are very carefully defined, where someone’s boundary starts and stops, and what we’ve been careful to do here is to not define that,” explains Landini.
“We’re looking for cacophony, we’re looking for noise, we’re looking for chaos, we’re looking for things to bump into.”
The Kitchens also carries pop up stalls and food trucks, supplied by the tenants or new retailers, to buy food and drink from whilst shoppers sit outside. The space is available to hire for parties to be catered for by any of The Kitchens’ specialists.
The Kitchen is now open at Robina Town Centre. Trading hours are from 9:00am to midnight daily.