Restaurants in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Wanaka and Queenstown have been recognised in the prestigious Michelin Guide, launching here for the first time.
At a glamorous ceremony at Auckland’s New Zealand International Convention Centre, 15 restaurants were awarded that sought-after star distinction.
Michelin’s star rating is recognised around the world as a badge of honour denoting the highest level of culinary excellence and service.
While no restaurants achieved the coveted top rating of three stars, one Queenstown restaurant, Essence, took out the two star award. The acknowledgement prompted a standing ovation for chef Paul Froggatt who accepted the award. Essence, located within ROKI Collection luxury hotel in Queenstown, has only been open since September last year.
“To be the only restaurant in New Zealand to have this blows my mind,” Froggatt said on stage. “It was a dream of a young boy, many, many years ago who stepped foot into a Michelin star kitchen to cook at this level and be at this level. And to think I moved to New Zealand to achieve this goal, it’s just amazing that we can do this here.”
Fourteen restaurants have been awarded a single Michelin star.
New Zealand’s Michelin star restaurants
Two stars **
Essence, Queenstown
Chef Paul Froggatt
One star *
Ahi, Auckland
Chef Ben Bayly
Amisfield, Queenstown
Chef Sun Peng
INATI, Christchurch
Chef Simon Levy
Jano Bistro, Wellington
Chef Pierre-Alain Fenoux
Kika, Wanaka
Chef James Stapley
Logan Brown, Wellington
Chef Shaun Clouston
Mudbrick, Auckland
Chef Mrinal Ghosal
Ortega, Wellington
Chef Teresa Pert
Paris Butter, Auckland
Chefs Zennon Wijlens and Nick Honeyman
Rātā, Queenstown
Sherwood, Queenstown
Chef Chris Scott
Tala, Auckland
Chef Henry Onesemo
The Estate, Auckland, Waiheke Island
Chef Axel Curtet-Latreille
Tussock Hill, Christchurch
Chef Adam Harrison
What it means
According to the guide, one Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants for “high-quality cooking that is worth a stop,” two Michelin Stars for “excellent cooking that is worth a detour,” and three Michelin Stars for “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”
Judges – referred to as ‘Inspectors’ – for the prestigious rating system have been in New Zealand over the past few months. They visited restaurants up and down the country in order to select those worthy of the famous star rating.
According to Michelin Guide International Director Gwendal Poullennec, NZ’s selection has been made using Michelin’s historic methodology. On stage in Auckland Poullennec explained the anonymous Inspectors evaluate five key criteria: “The quality of the ingredients, the mastery of cooking techniques, the harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine and the consistency both over time and across the menu.”
Michelin’s Guide containing the recognitions is launching in Aotearoa for the first time, 125 years after its creation in France as a reference for discerning travellers. Stars can result in an increase in demand and reservations for restaurants and their chefs as well as international recognition and media attention.
‘Bib Gourmand’ distinctions also awarded
The evening also revealed the restaurants and hospitality hot-spots selected to receive Michelin’s lower tier ‘Bib Gourmand’ and ‘Selected’ distinctions, as well as individual awards recognising exceptional talent and leadership among the country’s dining and culinary scene.
The Bib Gourmand category is awarded to restaurants that provide good quality food at a more wallet-friendly price. Bib Gourmand is described by Michelin as, ‘Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize.’
Auckland: Apéro Food & Wine, Atelier, Bianca, Bistro Saine, Boda, Cazador, Gemmayze Street, Goat, Milenta, Osteria Uno, Parro, Pasta & Cuore, and Tempero
Wellington: 1154 Pastaria, Cicio Cacio, Hummingbird, and Indian Alley
Christchurch: A’mano, Earl, Fire And Slice, Gatherings, Londo, Odeon, Roca, Soul Quarter, The Athens Yacht Club, and The Monday Room
Queenstown: Aosta, Bombay Palace (Wānaka), Francesca, Muttonbird, Paloma Taqueria, Sundays, The Cow (Queenstown), and Treehouse
‘Michelin Selected’ Restaurants
‘Michelin Selected’ restaurants are establishments that have been included in the Michelin Guide because they meet the guide’s quality standards and deserve recognition. They can include neighborhood bistros, café, or fine dining restaurants, the designation isn’t limited to any particular style or price point.
In New Zealand, 60 eateries and restaurants were included in this category.
They are:
Auckland: 1947 Eatery, Ada, Advieh, Alma, Baduzzi, Bar Magda, Bossi, Cassia, East, Esther, Gilt, Hello Beasty, Jervois Steak House, Ki Māha, Kingi, Kol, Lillius, Metita, Morell, Mr Morris, One Tree Grill, Onslow, Origine, Otto, Ragtag, Rodd & Gunn The Lodge, Sails, and The French Café
Wellington: 50-50, Boulcott Street Bistro, Charley Noble, Damascus, Floriditas, Graze, Highwater, Kisa, Koji, Margot, Napoli, Ombra, Rita, Rosella, and Shed 5
Christchurch: Bessie, Cellar Door, Hugo, and Miro
Queenstown: Arc, Bianca by Giovi, Billy’s, Botswana Butchery, Jervois Steak House, Millhouse, Nest, Rodd & Gunn The Lodge, Soda, The Dining Room, The Woolshed, Toast & Oak, and True South Dining Room
Culinary and service talent recognised
Among the restaurants recognised there were also acknowledgements for outstanding key hospitality roles.
The Young Chef award went to Robert Fairs from Londo, Christchurch. Judges were impressed with the way he combines ‘technical precision with a clear, personal style,’ saying ‘at the counter, Fairs is confident and understated, engaging warmly with guests throughout service.’
Stina Persen from Graze, Wellington was acknowledged with the Service Award for the way she ‘brings warmth, ease and genuine care to the dining room’ and an ability to ‘add depth to the experience through thoughtful details and local stories that connect the restaurant to its city’.
The Sommelier Award went to Matthew Aitchison from Auckland’s The French Cafe. with judges commending his ‘calm, relaxed and approachable style’, and ‘deep wine knowledge,’ saying he had built ‘one of the city’s most impressive wine lists.’
More than just an awards ceremony, the event hosted the who’s who of the hospitality scene. Fittingly it also featured an array of delicious local cuisine prepared by chefs from the Michelin Guide community internationally alongside top local chefs. They included Nobu Lee of NOBUO, the New Zealand-born chef behind one of Taiwan’s most celebrated one Michelin-starred restaurants, and chef Michael Cimarusti of Providence in Los Angeles, the renowned seafood restaurant currently holding Three Michelin Stars.
The expansion of the Michelin Guide to Aotearoa New Zealand, its first in Oceania, comes as part of a $6.3m deal with Tourism New Zealand to bring the respected rating system here.
All the listings for the restaurants recognised have been added to the Michelin Guide website.
