New Zealand is a country with an excellent culinary reputation, but does it have any restaurants that feature the coveted Michelin star? The answer is both yes and no.
The Michelin Guide is one of the oldest and most respected restaurant guides in the world.
It was first published in 1900 by the French tyre company, Michelin. Restaurants that receive a Michelin star are deemed to offer outstanding cuisine and are awarded accordingly. While it is often associated with France, the guide has expanded far beyond its original bounds to include over 30 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and even Australia.
Unfortunately for New Zealand’s top chefs and restaurants, the country itself does not have any Michelin rated restaurants yet. This has been a source of frustration for many in the culinary world who feel like their efforts are not being recognized on an international level. However, there are some New Zealanders who have achieved Michelin stars in other countries.
New Zealanders Who Have Achieved Michelin Star Status
The most notable example of this is Ben Shewry from Melbourne’s Attica restaurant. Shewry was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia when he was young.
He was awarded two Michelin stars in 2013 for his inventive cuisine at Attica which features a mix of Australian native ingredients as well as traditional New Zealand flavors. He also received recognition from Gourmet Traveller magazine as Chef of The Year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are no restaurants located in New Zealand that have achieved a Michelin star rating yet, there are some New Zealanders who have achieved such accolades abroad. As more chefs gain recognition for their work internationally it may be only a matter of time before one or more local eateries join this exclusive club.