Melbourne’s iconic lasagne destination, 1800 Lasagne, has entered into administration, casting a shadow over the future of its much-loved Thornbury restaurant.
Founded by Joey Kellock, 1800 Lasagne began as a humble home delivery service during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating out of Kellock’s home kitchen, the business quickly gained cult status for its Italian comfort food.
The pork and beef lasagne that started it all for 1800 Lasagne.Credit: Justin McManus
Riding the wave of that success, Kellock opened the restaurant’s first physical venue in August 2020, on High Street in Thornbury.
The niche restaurant earned a coveted chef’s hat in 2023, with Good Food critic Besha Rodell raving, “There is simply nothing about it not to love.”
That same year, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver dined at the Thornbury venue during his time in Melbourne filming for season 16 of Masterchef.
“Jazz was playing, the wine was flowing. Nice energy with the staff,” he said of the restaurant.
More than five years since its beginnings, its doors remain open for now, but the future of 1800 Lasagne is uncertain. On July 30, Todd Gammel and Matthew Levesque-Hocking of accounting advisory group HLB Mann Judd were appointed as external administrators.
In a social media post on Tuesday, the restaurant shared a “heartfelt message” urging patrons to continue their support during “this exciting but challenging time.”
“1800 Lasagne has entered into voluntary administration, and we are working closely with the administration team to streamline and restructure our model to ensure we take the best steps while moving forward,” the post read.
“Our loyal suppliers and our beloved staff are and will continue to be our highest priority through this process.”
The restaurant confirmed that trading hours and delivery remain unchanged at this stage.
“1800 Lasagne has always been about people, passion, and plates of love - and that hasn’t changed,” it said.
Joey Kellock sits down to a lasagne at his restaurant in Thornbury.Credit: Ashley Ludkin
“We’re grateful for the support of our incredible community and encourage everyone to keep showing love and support to local hospitality.”
Full details about the 1800 Lasagne’s predicament have not yet been made public, but companies go into administration when they cannot pay their creditors.
In 2023, Kellock announced plans to open a sandwich shop, called Cinque, and a live-music bar, called Dopolavoro, on High Street in Northcote. The status of those venues is unclear.
The administrators will now assess the company’s financial situation and decide whether to restructure, sell off assets, or liquidate the business.
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