Yanina and Pablo Tacchini’s restaurant was given the award at this week’s annual Cuisine Good Food Awards, presented by American Express, at an industry celebration recognising 20 category winners and more than 95 Hatted restaurants at a ceremony at the Aotea Centre Hunua Room in Auckland.
The Oamaru restaurant is described by Cuisine as "a testament to clever flavours and the blending of cultures".
"We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a Hat in the Cuisine Good Food Awards for the fourth year in a row," Mrs Tacchini said.
"This recognition really reflects the consistency we’ve worked hard to maintain over the years, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that effort pay off.
"This achievement is a true team effort, we simply couldn’t do it without our amazing Cucina team, who work tirelessly to make the restaurant what it is, and of course our loyal customers, whose support and encouragement mean the world to us.
"We love Oamaru and are so proud to be able to showcase our town to the rest of New Zealand and to the world. Our hope is to continue making Oamaru proud for many years to come."
This year, 95 restaurants were given 1, 2 or 3 Hats and named as the best in New Zealand from the more than 300 listed in this year’s Cuisine Good Food Guide.
"Our intention with the Cuisine Good Food awards has always been to recognise and celebrate the finest chefs and restaurants across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Hat system rates and ranks local establishments and has helped to raise the standard and drive innovation within the industry," Cuisine owner and editor Kelli Brett said.
"It is wonderful to see more names added to both the 1, 2 and 3 Hat lists. This is a testament to the quality of our hospitality scene. Along with showcasing the country’s outstanding talent and hottest venues, a key aim of the Cuisine Good Food Awards and Guide is to encourage patronage and showcase New Zealand cuisine to local and international audiences.
"My message to locals and tourists alike is ‘go and try these places’. We’ve done the hard work selecting the best of the best for you — there really is something for everyone here."
The most coveted award of the night, the American Express Restaurant of the Year, went to Amisfield, Queenstown.
