MasterChef star’s ambitious restaurant ends in heartbreaking failure
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It’s a bittersweet time for fans of MasterChef Australia and dessert lovers alike, as the creative genius behind some of the most jaw-dropping sweets ever seen on Aussie TV faces a tough chapter in his culinary journey.
The much-loved chef, who first won our hearts on MasterChef in 2015 and later wowed us on Dessert Masters, has just received some devastating news. What happened?
For those who’ve followed Reynold Poernomo’s rise from reality TV favourite to dessert king, this news comes as a real shock.
KOI Dessert Bar, famous for its luxurious, imaginative, and Instagram-worthy creations, quickly became a must-visit for foodies in Melbourne and Sydney.
But like many in the hospitality industry, Reynold and his family have been hit hard by the challenging economic climate, with the Melbourne branch now seeking a new licensed retailer to take over the location.
Sadly, KOI Dessert Bar has gone into voluntary administration.
KOI Dessert Bar isn’t just Reynold’s baby—it’s a family-run business, with his brother Ronald Poernomo serving as managing director.
Ronald has assured fans and customers that the Melbourne venue at 100 Queen St is still trading during the administration process, and that the team is working closely with administrators to explore all options, including potential franchise opportunities.
'This is a common commercial strategy designed to attract the highest possible value for the business,' Ronald explained. 'The viability of other alternate options to preserve KOI’s presence in Melbourne will also be discussed with the administrator in good faith.'
Importantly, Ronald emphasised that this setback only affects the Melbourne operation. The KOI Dessert Bar brand—including its popular Sydney venues in Chippendale and Ryde, as well as global collaborations—remains strong and unaffected.
'KOI Dessert Bar remains fully committed to its customers, staff, and suppliers, and to delivering world-class culinary experiences with creativity, integrity, and care,' he said.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Reynold has faced business challenges. Earlier this year, his Sydney eatery Monkey’s Corner entered liquidation, reportedly owing nearly $500,000 to creditors, including unpaid taxes.
Reynold’s journey hasn’t just been about business ups and downs—he’s also had his fair share of emotional highs and lows on reality TV.
After finishing fourth on MasterChef in 2015, he returned five years later and came third, and was crowned runner-up on Dessert Masters in 2023. Despite his incredible talent and a legion of loyal fans, Reynold has never quite clinched the top spot.
In a candid interview, Reynold revealed that he’s officially done with reality TV competitions. 'There’s not a chance' he’ll return for another shot at the crown, he told Yahoo Lifestyle.
The repeated near-misses have taken their toll, and Reynold says he’s ready to move on to bigger and better things—possibly even overseas.
'I can’t just be pigeonholed the whole time on the show,' he shared. 'It’s time for me to keep growing and keep moving onto bigger things. It’s not the end, it’s just the beginning. Maybe I might go for Michelin overseas, maybe I might go into the entertainment industry overseas. But definitely somewhere in Asia or somewhere in the States.'
Read more: Popular cooking show faces shock exit as mystery sacking fuels speculation
Have you ever visited KOI Dessert Bar or tried one of Reynold’s famous desserts? What are your thoughts on the challenges facing Aussie restaurants today? We’d love to hear your stories and opinions—share your thoughts in the comments below!
The much-loved chef, who first won our hearts on MasterChef in 2015 and later wowed us on Dessert Masters, has just received some devastating news. What happened?
For those who’ve followed Reynold Poernomo’s rise from reality TV favourite to dessert king, this news comes as a real shock.
KOI Dessert Bar, famous for its luxurious, imaginative, and Instagram-worthy creations, quickly became a must-visit for foodies in Melbourne and Sydney.
But like many in the hospitality industry, Reynold and his family have been hit hard by the challenging economic climate, with the Melbourne branch now seeking a new licensed retailer to take over the location.
Sadly, KOI Dessert Bar has gone into voluntary administration.
Reynold Poernomo’s Melbourne KOI Dessert Bar has gone into voluntary administration, with the site continuing to trade while a new licensed retailer is sought. Image source: @koidb / Instagram.
KOI Dessert Bar isn’t just Reynold’s baby—it’s a family-run business, with his brother Ronald Poernomo serving as managing director.
Ronald has assured fans and customers that the Melbourne venue at 100 Queen St is still trading during the administration process, and that the team is working closely with administrators to explore all options, including potential franchise opportunities.
'This is a common commercial strategy designed to attract the highest possible value for the business,' Ronald explained. 'The viability of other alternate options to preserve KOI’s presence in Melbourne will also be discussed with the administrator in good faith.'
Importantly, Ronald emphasised that this setback only affects the Melbourne operation. The KOI Dessert Bar brand—including its popular Sydney venues in Chippendale and Ryde, as well as global collaborations—remains strong and unaffected.
'KOI Dessert Bar remains fully committed to its customers, staff, and suppliers, and to delivering world-class culinary experiences with creativity, integrity, and care,' he said.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Reynold has faced business challenges. Earlier this year, his Sydney eatery Monkey’s Corner entered liquidation, reportedly owing nearly $500,000 to creditors, including unpaid taxes.
Reynold’s journey hasn’t just been about business ups and downs—he’s also had his fair share of emotional highs and lows on reality TV.
After finishing fourth on MasterChef in 2015, he returned five years later and came third, and was crowned runner-up on Dessert Masters in 2023. Despite his incredible talent and a legion of loyal fans, Reynold has never quite clinched the top spot.
In a candid interview, Reynold revealed that he’s officially done with reality TV competitions. 'There’s not a chance' he’ll return for another shot at the crown, he told Yahoo Lifestyle.
The repeated near-misses have taken their toll, and Reynold says he’s ready to move on to bigger and better things—possibly even overseas.
'I can’t just be pigeonholed the whole time on the show,' he shared. 'It’s time for me to keep growing and keep moving onto bigger things. It’s not the end, it’s just the beginning. Maybe I might go for Michelin overseas, maybe I might go into the entertainment industry overseas. But definitely somewhere in Asia or somewhere in the States.'
Read more: Popular cooking show faces shock exit as mystery sacking fuels speculation
Have you ever visited KOI Dessert Bar or tried one of Reynold’s famous desserts? What are your thoughts on the challenges facing Aussie restaurants today? We’d love to hear your stories and opinions—share your thoughts in the comments below!
