Meet Blaze Young, a talent in Freo’s vibrant food scene
Blaze Young – Nieuw Ruin’s head chef and WA Good Food Guide Awards’ Young Chef of the Year – is taking the hospitality industry by storm. But it's not the career this Fremantle local first had in mind when she was seduced by the excitement of the kitchen.
“I was waitressing on the side of studying to be a lawyer and slowly I found myself pulled more and more into this restaurant life”
Blaze began asking to plate the chefs’ desserts and wanting to absorb more of their knowledge… and that was it! She honed her craft at Bivouac and Billie H, learning the ropes from acclaimed chef Kurt Sampson at Propeller and the team at Madalena’s Bar, before embracing the opportunity to head up Nieuw Ruin’s kitchen in 2021.
“We’ve got this exciting, bustling, cultural hub again”
As more new bars and restaurants open in Freo’s vibrant food scene, Blaze’s enthusiasm is clear:
“It’s becoming incredibly relevant.”
Freo's relevance is no secret – many of Blaze's port city peers also achieved top accolades at this year's Good Food Awards: Republic of Fremantle (Bar of the Year), Madalena’s Bar head chef Adam Reese (Chef of the Year) and Wild in the Street’s Elise Godwin (Bartender of the Year).
Blaze remembers having her first coffee at Gino’s and describes being a part of the community in Fremantle as “really special”. The big kitchen pass window at Nieuw Ruin, that was her idea, so visitors can say hello and chat about what’s new on the menu. It says a lot about her approach to operating within this place.
Blaze's passion for fresh produce and elegant modern food shine through in her dishes, and this ambitious chef feels lucky to have trusted local favourites – Peaches, Fremantle Mini Mart, Kakulas Sister and the Freo Farmers Market – to turn to when picking up ingredients at the last minute.
She’s supportive of the talents around her, always telling people to go and try Emily’s food over at Republic of Fremantle, “I haven’t been since they opened the full restaurant, but they just got a brand new woodfired oven and I’m really excited to see what she does with it!”
What’s next for this multi-award winning young talent?
Blaze is constantly switching up Nieuw Ruin’s menu to keep up with the seasonal produce and offer new things. It’s complemented by a wine list of over 300 bottles, with a knowledgeable team who know them inside and out.
“We have a really great and adventurous customer base”
Nieuw Ruin’s newly launched wine pairing with their chef menu brings a rare level of dining experience to Fremantle.
Head to Nieuw Ruin this Easter long weekend* | 7 - 10 April
- Good Friday: 5pm - 10pm
- Easter Saturday: 12pm - Late
- Easter Sunday: 12pm - Late
- Easter Monday: 12pm - Late (last bookings at 8pm)
GOOD FRIDAY | Settle in for dinner on Good Friday (5pm - 10pm) and choose stunning seafood dishes using the best local and sustainably caught produce from their à la carte menu.
EASTER SATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY | For the remainder of the long weekend they’ll be open from 12pm til late for long, lazy lunches, indulgent dinners, and snacks at the bar. Hand over the reins to Blaze Young with the Chef’s Menu ($70 pp) and add paired wines (+$55).
*15% surcharge applies on public holidays
Blaze's grazing boards: Rockliffe Wine Masterclass | 13 April ($60)
Sample her talents alongside wine tastings when you join Dr Steve Hall, owner of Rockcliffe Winery, for an evening of wine education.
