Chris & Allison Fenn opened Ci Fennali's in May 2009, re-opening the old Atlantis Restaurant that was previous after the site had been closed for 6 months. Ci Fennali's although often mistaken for being Italian cuisine and operated gets its name from Chef's, Operators and Husband and Wife team Chris (Christopher Ian - Ci) Fenn and Allison (Ali) hence Ci Fennali's! We pronounce the 'Ci' part 'Chee' as in the Italian for 'us', but that's about as Italian as the restaurant gets - both Chris and Allison were both born in the UK!

The name was originally used in Brisbane in 2006 when the couple ran the busy restaurant at the newly renovated Bellbowrie Sports Club. Following this they took on the lease at the Weipa Bowls Club for the running of their newly revamped 200 seat restaurant there for a successful 18 month period. Previous to this the couple ran bebe's Cafe & Restaurant also in Bellbowrie in 2005.

THE TEAM...

Introducing Chef & Joint Owner Allison Fenn...
Allison was born in Epsom Surrey UK, before moving to New Zealand in 1978 with her parents John and Lyne Cray, sister Toni and brother Austen, before settling in Brisbane in 1982. In 1984 she began working at Holy Moses in Indooroopilly where she remained until 1989 when she joined the team of Internationally renowned Chef Peter Hall at Superbo's in Jindalee. Hall, captained Australia in the Culinary Olympics, and set a firm ground in standards that to which Allison has moulded her culinary career. Allison then took a break from hospitality when she married first husband Dean and gave birth to her first son Blake in 1994. Sister Alex followed in 1996. Shortly after meeting second husband Chris Fenn, on the Sunshine Coast, in 2003 Allison returned to the kitchen initially as Head Chef of The Captain Bligh in Caloundra before joining Chef Matt Small's elite kitchen team at there up market Pelican Waters Tavern location.

Introducing Chef & Joint Owner Chris Fenn...
Chris was born in Chelmsford Essex UK and spent his teenage years growing up in his parents Peter and Sandra Fenn in their Country Pub where he also worked - The Fox and Hounds - in Tillingham Essex together with sister Stephanie. As well as working in the Pub Chris was employed by former Chef David Tubby who now ran a local Supermarket which Chris was responsible for buying in all the fresh produce from the markets. Chris learnt from David how to judge and source the best produce and learned alot about buying quality produce. In 2003 Chris travelled to Australia where he worked at various places in hospitality while travelling before meeting Allison who he later married in February 2005. The couple now have two further children Abigail born in October 2005 and Dennis Junior (named after both of Chris Grandfather's who were both also Dennis) born in September 2006. Chris has also worked at Jazz in Toowong where he was Sous Chef, Vino's on Eagle Street Pier Brisbane and the Summit at Mount Coot-tha.

The combination of Allison's wonderful natural cooking abilities and knowledge of food with Chris's creative and artistic flair make Ci Fennali's a fantastic dining experience. Chris and Allison design their own menu's and Allison primarily runs the kitchen with Chris helping out on the floor and kitchen equally and substituting for Allison in quieter times.

The first season 2009 thank you's...
Since opening Ci Fennali's have been helped by some fantastic people both employed and voluntary in the first year, most notably Jo Carroll, Laura Sewell, Brad Boterhoek, Angela Birt, Tahneesia Maunsell, Kasia Woods, Lee Mounsey, Kurt Lee, Rod Murray, Tanya Van Brink, Bonnie Hendy and even close friend, former neighbour and current Manager of Dunwoody's Paul Garnham helped out on one occasion run the floor and on another his lovely wife Rose Garnham. Chris and Allison are grateful to all those who have assisted in our first year in their spare time... and least not forget behind the scenes the fabolous bookkeeper we have in Juile Kessler. Further to this we have been helped by our wonderful local rep Beau Spink who has also given his services complimentary on occasion to lend a hand. We presently buy all our Meat & Poultry from local Trinity Beach Butchers Russell, Carla, Marty and team and have always received the best quality restaurant grade produce. Other notable suppliers include Pantaccini's at Smithfield who offer probably the best quality local and Australian produce around. Our fruit and vegetables are all locally sourced to promote what is best in season and we shop around for these.

Finally, and most importantly thank you to all the local customers who have supported us in the first year too many nice people to mention, some of who we now know socially too and also to all the lovely visitors we have had too. We will not start to name you in fear of forgetting someone and offending, but you know who you are! Bring on 2010!