Adelaide restaurateur, Stratos Pouras, closes Cork & Cleaver after 43 years

·

Adelaide restaurateur, Stratos Pouras, will close the doors of his iconic steak and seafood restaurant, Cork & Cleaver, for the final time next month after 43 years.

This news comes as the 84-year-old has decided to retire after more than 50 years in the hospitality industry, The Advertiser reports.

READ MORE: Adelaide restaurateur Stratos Pouras celebrates 43 years of family business success

For the last 43 years, Stratos Pouras has been putting in twelve hour days. Photo taken in 1994. Courtesy of Dennis Rogers.

Mr Pouras recently received an offer to buy the building and following discussions with his family, decided it was time for a well-earned rest.

“It’s been a fantastic experience, a fantastic life for myself and for all my loyal staff. We are leaving on a high… very high,” Mr Pouras told the newspaper.

“But it’s time to retire. Nothing is forever.”

Cork & Cleaver. Photo: The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.

Speaking with The Greek Herald back in early September, Mr Pouras said the restaurant was embedded in memories of generations of South Australians and became the first job place for many of the state’s well-known personalities. 

“In the early 80s a very polite blonde girl came in to ask for a job. She was holding a folder with her academic records and birth certificate. She told me her names was Frances Adamson. Her mother, Jennifer Adamson, was the then Minister for Health and tourism in the Tonkin Government and a customer of ours,” he said.

Stratos Pouras was the first boss of South Australia’s next Governor. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa.

“I hired her and she started waitressing. She was very clever. After 2-3 years she told me that she would go to Canberra to study political science. She left but her mother kept coming and through her I was learning about Frances.”

Frances Adamson is now South Australia’s new Governor and is considered one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected public servants and diplomats.

The moment remains Mr Pouras’ “crowning glory” as he closes the doors on Cork & Cleaver for the last time.

Source: The Advertiser.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Chasing an Aussie childhood memory all the way to a Suzi Quatro concert in Poland

I've been living in Greece for a long time now and being so far away from Australia, the country I was born and grew up in, sometimes gets to me.

Melbourne musicians to honour Achilles Yiangoulli in special tribute concert

A powerful evening of music and remembrance will take place at TheBrunswick Ballroom in Brunswick, on Thursday.

Greek olive oil in 2026: Hope and concern at the Food Expo

At the Food Expo in Athens, conversations about Greek olive oil in 2026 reflected both optimism and unease.

Fronditha Care honoured with international recognition

Fronditha Care has been celebrated as a finalist at the 14th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards (2026).

HMSA and PRONIA collaborate on educational event ‘Understanding Back Pain’

This event will help to unpack the causes, when to seek help, pathways for diagnosis and options for the management of back pain.

You May Also Like

‘I never expected to win’: Samantha Papavasiliou among SA Woman Awards recipients

Greek Australian, Samantha Papavasiliou, has won The Shine Award at this year's SA Woman Awards ceremony last week.

Sydney marks 1700 years since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea

Two events were held in Sydney, Australia over the weekend to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, organised under...

Mitsotakis strengthens Greece-France ties with new defence and cooperation deals

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has overseen the signing of nine agreements with France, marking an expansion of bilateral cooperation.