Two award-winning restaurants in Melbourne forced to close after racking up debts of over $1.3million

Two fashionable Asian fusion restaurants person unopen up store overnight aft their affluent proprietor sparked an probe by the firm watchdog. 

Kekou and Klae successful Richmond, Melbourne, person entered liquidation with debts exceeding $1.3million, including an estimated $50,000 successful unclaimed vouchers.

Both venues person been awarded a fig of accolades successful caller years, some being granted a Chef's Hat prize successful the Australian Good Food Guide. 

Owner David Anderson, who is besides the manager of concern steadfast Falcon Capital, is presently astatine the centre of an ASIC investigation. 

The probe was publically announced connected April 10, though the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) confirmed the probe began successful May 2024.

The restaurants ceased trading abruptly precocious successful April.

A announcement posted connected the beforehand doorway of Kekou stated the proprietor had 'retaken possession of the premises' from Anderson owed to 'non-payment of rent.

More than $1.3million is owed to 82 creditors, with $400,000 owed to the ATO. 

Up to 12 employees are owed much than $220,000 successful wages including $33,885 successful superannuation, $49,125 successful unpaid permission entitlements, and $98,157 successful retrenchment payouts. 

Unused acquisition vouchers accounted for tens of thousands worthy of the restaurants' liabilities, with $43,956 listed for Kekou and $7,732 for Klae.

The 2 venues, located connected Swan Street and Bridge Road respectively, besides beryllium ample sums to a bid of suppliers and work providers. 

Some of the largest creditors see Tyro, which is owed $335,433, on with $51,089 owed to intoxicant and nutrient proviso businesses. 

Liquidator Adrian Warry of Dye & Co said Klae owes implicit $65,000 to its sister venue, Kekou. 

The ASIC probe came aft the freezing of assets belonging to the First Guardian Masterfund, an concern conveyance besides nether scrutiny. 

Mr Anderson sits connected its board.

ASIC has raised a fig of superior concerns astir the operations of the fund. 

It alleges that astir $274million of First Guardian's reported worth comes from overdue receivables, with payments present months down schedule.

In addition, implicit $23million appears to person been paid to entities claiming to supply selling services, successful a mode that 'appears contrary to representations made to investors'. 

The committee besides recovered that First Guardian invested successful companies with which Anderson had either a idiosyncratic oregon fiscal connection, raising questions astir unmanaged conflicts of interest.

According to ASIC, investors 'may person been exposed to classes of assets that disagree from what was disclosed to them astatine the clip of making their investment', and 'may person been misled astir the information of their concern and apt returns'.

The probe by ASIC successful Mr Anderson and his businesses continues. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the liquidators for further comment.