The Quarry Re-Opens Under New Ownership

Cowra’s best known fine dining restaurant has bucked the trend of the hospitality industry during COVID after officially reopening under new owners Kate Alberry and Ian Whitty.

While most of the industry has struggled over the past 18 months of various COVID-19 restrictions, Kate and Ian have managed to expand their own hospitality business, adding The Quarry to their other local hospitality icon, The Railway Hotel.

They officially took over The Quarry a couple of weeks ago, and ran their first service at dinner on Saturday October 9, with a healthy crowd of 20 patrons enjoying a meal.

Kate said purchasing The Quarry was a great opportunity that couldn’t be passed on.

“We were looking at additional industry, and The Quarry is a staple in Cowra fine dining,” she said.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to Anne and Paul, who run the business for 35 years to a very high standard, and I want to maintain their brand while adding new life to it.”

Kate and Ian have taken on the entire business, including the restaurant and the cellar door, and are now looking at making better use of The Quarry’s outdoor ground for live music and functions.

“Our vision is to have a picnic area where patrons can enjoy a meal outside while listening to live musicians,” Kate said.

Kate and Ian are also hoping to build accommodation facilities there, but Kate admitted this could take a number of years.

New Head Chef Pat Johnson has moved across to The Quarry from The Railway Hotel, and comes with plenty of hospitality experience, with his grandfather having opened up Cowra’s first ever Chinese restaurant many years ago.

He has created a new menu, with one of the tastiest items said to be his slowcooked pork belly, which is cooked over 12 hours.

The Quarry’s new trading services are Thursday lunch, Friday lunch and dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch.

Local wines and other produce will still be sold from the cellar door.

Meanwhile, The Railway Hotel will be hosting live music each Friday night in November in its beer garden