A former executive chef of one of the region’s most acclaimed restaurants has opened a new Asian street-food venue in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, marking his first move into business ownership.
Daniel Jarrett, who spent the past decade at Spicers Tamarind Restaurant, has brought his 27 years of culinary experience to Maleny with the launch of Pocky Asian Restaurant.
Raised on the Sunshine Coast where he now lives with his young family, Mr Jarrett has built an extensive knowledge of local produce and suppliers, which he is using to deliver bold, approachable flavours in a more community-focused setting.
“I wanted to create food that’s full of flavour and fun to eat,” he said.
“Pocky is a reflection of that journey.”
While Maleny is known for its strong food scene, Mr Jarrett believed there was room for something different, opting for vibrant Asian street-food inspired by South-East Asia.
“Asian flavours are what I love cooking most,” he said.
“They’re bold, fresh and exciting – perfect for the laid-back local vibe here.”
The lead-up to opening was a major undertaking, with Mr Jarrett building the business from the ground up while learning the realities of running his first restaurant.
“It’s been a massive journey – exciting, exhausting and incredibly rewarding,” he said.
“The support from friends, family and the local community kept me going through the long days and late nights.”
Since opening, the response from locals has exceeded expectations.
“The community support has been overwhelming in the best way,” he said.
“Seeing people come back multiple times, recommending us to friends, and giving positive feedback makes all the hard work worthwhile.
“Maleny has really welcomed Pocky with open arms, which has meant a lot to me.”
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Designed as a casual, welcoming space, Pocky aims to be a go-to local spot, with an emphasis on shared plates, friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere.
The menu features a range of crowd favourites including Penang curry, dumplings, corn ribs and crispy chicken.
Mr Jarrett said he was grateful for the warm reception and looked forward to growing the restaurant alongside the Maleny community.
“This place exists because of the locals who believed in what I was trying to build,” he said.
“I can’t wait to keep growing Pocky alongside the community for many years to come.”
