AZBcreative as an agency see things differently. AZBcreative always strive to design not from a trend but from a multi disciplinary point of inspiration. This standpoint created from years of research from sources as diverse as old Hollywood movies, interiors of old, classical architecture, painting, the performing arts, theatrical productions, art direction, is the heart of who we are.

AZBcreative aim to push the boundaries of what the ‘Pop-Up’ experience can be. What is possible, what is imaginable? Our latest ambitious project is the creation of such a space. The MasterChef Dining and Bar Pop-Up Restaurant. A 900 sqm 2 level Pop up environment that inhabits the iconic Sydney Harbor and Melbourne Crown Casino for a run of 5 weeks in each location.

In the creation of the space, Zabotto-Bentley and his team applied their unique stand point as a creative agency, being the discerning researched information gleaners, the team applied their skills to creating something inspiring. The restaurant is designed with a sense of permanence & luxury, a premium, fine dining experience, within a structure made totally of scaffolding.

Inspired by old Victorian pavilions AZBcreative transformed the industrial marquee into a classical, European Restaurant. The feat of using materials normally reserved for permanent spaces, such as marble and fully molded wall treatments and custom made Victorian columns in a temporary environment is what makes this so unique to the concept of ‘POP UP’.

Beautiful and carefully curated moments exist in the design such as 33 vintage white glass pendant lights floating over the dining space. Subtle intimate touches such as brass table lamps feature on every dining table. The interior design is further illuminated with panels of clear light diffusing roof that allow the external environment, buildings, views and the night sky into the experience of the diners.

A custom designed geometric floor surrounds and frames the centralised kitchen which is a hive of activity with the celebrity and contestant’s who featured on the MasterChef TV show. The kitchen itself was a key focus of the design including 16 meters of carrara marble, with custom made powder coated steel shelves, which AZB’s design team laden with produce and authentic Italian ceramics. The kitchen fascia was complete with Italian jade green tiles and finished with, beautiful recycled raw Oregon counter tops.

The upstairs bar level is defined by a 16m blackboard wall with Italian saying’s roman style graffiti and key features like 2m tall fiddle leaf plants in large vintage sandstone pots custom, black powder coated benches and beautiful wooden frame tables. The Space includes iconic moments of the TV series itself, such as a herb wall made from stainless steel mixing bowls which features as a room divider at the back of the restaurant kitchen area.

AZBcreative specializes in designing semi-permanent solutions on various scales. Nothing of this scale has ever been attempted in Australia. The restaurant which seats up to 150 people for lunch and dinner daily also needed to be able to be packed down and transported to a second location and rebuilt. A massive task, the full team of AZBcreative staff have been working on this concept since December last year and have contracted another 40 people to install and execute the intricate and bespoke design.

“This year will see more access for a wider audience of guests, with a larger dining space and a public bar which can cater for up to 150 guests,” said Alex Zabotto-Bentley. “Following last year’s success, it was important for the AZBcreative team to raise the bar again this year with an even grander interior space to entertain more people particularly since we are located in such iconic spaces with huge visibility. We want to transport our guests to a MasterChef space, while giving them a collection of premium dining spaces where they can enjoy the high calibre of food on offer.”