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.

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

Key Takeaways

• 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.
• This setback follows a string of business troubles for Poernomo, including the closure and liquidation of his Sydney bar Monkey’s Corner, which reportedly owed nearly $500,000 to creditors.
• The issues currently only affect the Melbourne outlet, with KOI Dessert Bar’s Sydney venues and international collaborations said to be operating as usual and unaffected by the administration.
• Poernomo has declared he won’t return to reality TV like MasterChef or Dessert Masters, stating he’s 'had enough' and hinting at plans to pursue new opportunities overseas where he feels more appreciated.

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!

 

[GoodEnough]

Pretty sad that you still gave your second preference to Labor, thanks to you we see the destruction that they have caused this country, everything out of control, overspending causing massive debt, loss of businesses 30,000+ , dividing the country with The failed Voice, energy prices the highest ever, allowing people to become homeless by mass immigration that has no possible let up because that’s how Labor buys votes and by people like you … well done in having a hand in destroying this once great nation.. I suppose you don’t condemn the burning of our national flag either.

Most of that is pure dogma, and not worth responding to.

On The Voice, logically it's those politicians and people like you who opposed it that created division.

 

[Julie1946]

Most of that is pure dogma, and not worth responding to.

On The Voice, logically it's those politicians and people like you who opposed it that created division.

Your ridiculous, sorry I am laughing, and if you are one of the activists that voted yes, then you are the one who has created division in Australia.. and you certainly aren’t worthy of listening too that’s for sure

 

[GoodEnough]

Your ridiculous, sorry I am laughing, and if you are one of the activists that voted yes, then you are the one who has created division in Australia.. and you certainly aren’t worthy of listening too that’s for sure

How can voting No not be divisive?

 

[Julie1946]

How can voting No not be divisive?

Can say the same about the yes vote… isn’t it better to have equality for all, to not divide the country by race.. same opportunities in everything, education, health , working for a living, everyone on the same level for advancement. Not creating a culture of racism, never works only creates hatred.

 

[GoodEnough]

Can say the same about the yes vote… isn’t it better to have equality for all, to not divide the country by race.. same opportunities in everything, education, health , working for a living, everyone on the same level for advancement. Not creating a culture of racism, never works only creates hatred.

The Voice proposal made no mention of race. Only its opponents used that word.

There is a massive divide between Aboriginal and other Australians in many areas, education, health, imprisonment, life expectancy, etc. We need to close that gap. Doing nothing won't do that.

 

[Julie1946]

The Voice proposal made no mention of race. Only its opponents used that word.

There is a massive divide between Aboriginal and other Australians in many areas, education, health, imprisonment, life expectancy, etc. We need to close that gap. Doing nothing won't do that.

That’s not true, there was a mention of race, the people who voted yes called the ones who voted No racists..you can never close the gap, aboriginal people are offered education but they decide if they want to attend school, they don’t have to attend if they don’t want to, so what is the point trying for equality if they don’t want it. It’s all on the indigenous to take up every opportunity offered but as long as it’s on their terms, so obviously the Gap will never be closed.

The Voice proposal made no mention of race. Only its opponents used that word.

There is a massive divide between Aboriginal and other Australians in many areas, education, health, imprisonment, life expectancy, etc. We need to close that gap. Doing nothing won't do that.

 

[GoodEnough]

That’s not true, there was a mention of race, the people who voted yes called the ones who voted No racists..you can never close the gap, aboriginal people are offered education but they decide if they want to attend school, they don’t have to attend if they don’t want to, so what is the point trying for equality if they don’t want it. It’s all on the indigenous to take up every opportunity offered but as long as it’s on their terms, so obviously the Gap will never be closed.

" aboriginal people are offered education but they decide if they want to attend school, they don’t have to attend if they don’t want to"

You just described part of the gap.

 

[Julie1946]

" aboriginal people are offered education but they decide if they want to attend school, they don’t have to attend if they don’t want to"

You just described part of the gap.

 

[Julie1946]

They made the decision that if aboriginal children didn’t want to attend school then they didn’t have to, so if something is offered but not taken up how on earth can they achieve anything, education is the key to obtaining a good job, maybe they don’t want to work, don’t want to take advantage of opportunities in this modern world like everyone else, the offer of equality is there if they want it. Maybe they are the ones who don’t want to bridge the gap.

 

[orhan123]

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