Matt Stone to lead Me-Gal relaunch at Taronga Zoo

Matt Stone is returning to Sydney to lead the relaunch of Me-Gal, bringing his approach to Australian produce, fermentation and reducing kitchen waste to the restaurant

Australian chef Matt Stone is returning to Sydney's restaurant scene, taking over Me-Gal at Taronga Zoo ahead of its reopening on 15 December.

The restaurant, operated by Trippas White Group, will close for refurbishment on 2 November before reopening as Me-Gal by Matt Stone.

The appointment brings Matt back to Sydney after years working in Victorian and regional New South Wales kitchens, where he has developed a reputation for his approach to sustainable cooking and reducing food waste.

The new menu will focus on Australian produce, native ingredients and fermentation, with both à la carte and set menus planned.

Reducing kitchen waste will also be part of the restaurant's direction, although details of how those practices will operate at Me-Gal are yet to be announced.

From Greenhouse to Me-Gal

Matt's approach to cooking has developed through a series of projects that have explored how restaurants source ingredients, manage waste and make better use of produce.

He was head chef at Greenhouse in Perth, working on a restaurant project developed by sustainability advocate Joost Bakker.

Matt later joined Jo Barrett as co-executive chef at Oakridge Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley, where the pair developed a menu built around regional produce, preservation and reducing waste.

Their work continued through Future Food System, an experimental project at Melbourne's Federation Square that explored whether a building could produce the food needed by its occupants while generating minimal waste.

Matt and Jo lived in the building, growing and preparing food using the project's integrated systems, with fermentation and preservation playing an important role.

More recently, Matt has worked with Northern Rivers restaurants including You Beauty in Bangalow.

His appointment at Me-Gal will see him apply that experience in a different Sydney restaurant setting.

A new direction for Me-Gal

Me-Gal first opened to the wider public in 2023, having previously served guests staying at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga.

The restaurant is located at Bradleys Head in Mosman, overlooking Sydney Harbour, and remains accessible to diners who are not visiting the zoo.

Under Matt, the kitchen will place greater emphasis on Australian ingredients and low-waste cooking practices, although individual dishes and further details of the menu have not yet been released.

The relaunch will also introduce Matt's own wine label, Wines by Matt Stone, to the drinks list.

The new role brings him into the Trippas White Group, which operates a number of major Sydney hospitality venues, including dining at the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Tower.

Me-Gal by Matt Stone is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday 15 December 2026.