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A Queenstown restaurant officially holds the title of New Zealand’s best eatery after being awarded two Michelin stars.
Essence, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is the only restaurant in the country to have been awarded two stars at last night’s first Michelin Guide restaurant awards in Auckland.
Globally, only 544 restaurants hold two Michelin stars.
Accepting the awards, chef Paul Froggatt said he was ‘‘speechless’’.
‘‘To be the only restaurant in New Zealand to have this blows my mind.
‘‘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.
‘‘To think I moved to New Zealand to achieve this goal, it’s just amazing that we can do this here.’’
Essence is described as embodying the European experience and heritage of Mr Froggatt, but with a modern New Zealand twist.
The restaurant is located in luxury hotel and wellness destination Roki Collection in Brunswick St, and was officially opened last September.
Four other restaurants, three in Queenstown and one in Wānaka, were each awarded one star.
Queenstown restaurants Sherwood, Rātā, and Amisfield, as well as Wānaka restaurant Kika were all awarded a star.
Michelin Guide international director Gwendal Poullennec said inspectors spent months dining anonymously across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. They considered the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavours, mastery of culinary technique, how the chef’s personality shines through and consistency over time.
The restaurants are four of 14 eateries to be awarded a Michelin star in New Zealand.
Thirty-five achieved Bib Gourmand status, and 60 were put on the Michelin selected restaurant list, which would be published this month.
