It was billed as the dream pairing: one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs joining forces with Melbourne’s hottest bakery.
But just two years after coming together, Baker Bleu founders Mike and Mia Russell have spectacularly fallen out with restaurateur Neil Perry – and insiders say the once harmonious partnership has turned decidedly sour.
The hospitality heavyweights confirmed their split, signalling the end of a collaboration that had become a staple in Sydney’s Double Bay and several Melbourne neighbourhoods.
‘We are grateful to Neil for bringing us to Sydney in 2022,’ Mike Russell said in a statement to Good Food last month.
‘During this time we created something truly magical with Neil and Sam, and we feel privileged to continue to be in the neighbourhood.’
Perry appeared to return the civil sentiment.
Neil Perry (centre) with former Baker Bleu partners Mike (left) and Mia Russell (right)
Neil Perry’s Next Door is set to open a rival sandwich business right next door to Baker Bleu (pictured)
‘Sam and I are very proud of the role we’ve played in Baker Bleu’s growth and in making the Double Bay store the success it is today,’ he said.
‘As Mike and Mia look to expand and take the business in a new direction, we’ve decided to part ways and focus on our restaurants in Double Bay.’
But insiders insist the split was far less civil than the press statements suggest.
What started as a shared passion for artisanal bread and luxury pastries has collapsed into a turf war, with Perry now launching a rival sandwich shop right next door.
In a move that’s left locals both entertained and bemused, the chef is staking out his neighbouring restaurant – aptly called Next Door – just metres from Baker Bleu.
Perry is currently renovating the space, set to reopen in mid-October as an all-day eatery and, pointedly, a direct competitor in the sandwich stakes.
‘I actually bought Next Door so that Baker Bleu could function fully,’ Perry explained.
‘It’s a very small space to be manufacturing bread and doing all the stuff that we did, so in the past they’ve relied on being able to utilise Next Door – not just for seating but for all the infrastructure.
Perry is now planning to open a rival sandwich bar right next door to Baker Bleu
Mike and Mia Russell from Melbourne (pictured) joined forces with Neil Perry in 2022 but things recently turned sour
In the wake of the food feud, Perry (pictured with his wife) has ‘forcibly’ taken some of his signature sandwiches off the menu at Baker Bleu
‘Now that we’ve separated, it gives Sam and I the opportunity to get that one going.’
The revamped eatery will focus on breakfast and lunch offerings, including a lineup of new signature sandwiches and what Perry boldly describes as ‘the best bacon and egg roll in town’.
But the decision to effectively go head-to-head with his former business partners has raised eyebrows across Double Bay’s tight-knit restaurant circles – and insiders say things behind closed doors have taken a distinctly nasty turn.
According to sources close to both parties, when Perry walked away from the partnership, several of his most popular culinary creations were ‘forcibly’ removed from Baker Bleu’s menu, despite their cult following among locals.
‘Customers came in looking for Neil’s sandwiches and couldn’t believe they were gone overnight,’ one local told Daily Mail. ‘It’s become this quiet little food feud.’
Still, not everything from Perry’s tenure has been wiped from the menu.
Favourites such as the salted wagyu beef sandwich remain on offer for customers.
But that hasn’t stopped tensions from rising. It’s understood that Baker Bleu has now stopped providing the bread to Perry’s restaurants, effectively cutting off a key supply chain.
In retaliation, insiders claim that Perry’s long-time meat suppliers have now severed ties with Baker Bleu.
‘Both sides are pretending it’s business as usual, but behind the scenes there’s been some serious game-playing,’ said another industry insider.
Perry, whose restaurant portfolio includes fine-dining establishments Rockpool, Margaret, Gran Torino and Next Door, is said to be doubling down on his Eastern Suburbs empire, shifting focus to a more relaxed brunch offering designed to win back the crowd Baker Bleu once owned.
Meanwhile, the Russells retain full ownership and control over Baker Bleu and future outlets, forging ahead with ambitious plans to expand across Sydney and Melbourne – including the highly anticipated South Yarra location, newly opened opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens.
When Baker Bleu launched in 2022, Perry called its product ‘the best bread in Australia’ and fronted the bakery’s joint venture expansion beyond Melbourne.
Neil Perry and Baker Bleu have been contacted for comment
