Top chef joins Auckland's star eateries

BRIDGET JONES

Last updated 15:45 01/08/2012

MICHAEL BRADLEY/Fairfax NZ

TOP CHEF: Nic Watt is set to open a new eatery on Federal St.

Relevant offers

Food & Wine

Butter me up Grace's gorgeous baking takes the cake Recipe: Spaghetti puttanesca The Perfect Match: Wines for red meat In my fridge: Alice Arndell The French Cafe named New Zealand's best Recipe: Agri dulce chicken The re-upped carbonara Recipe: The Snickers milkshake When your kid wants to be a vegetarian

One of New Zealand's top chefs is returning home to join the star-studded restaurant line up on Auckland's Federal St.

Nic Watt, currently in London, will open a Japanese Robatayaki-style restaurant in the SkyCity precinct early next year, joining Al Brown's award-winning Depot, Sean Connolly's The Grill and Dine by Peter Gordon in the central location.

Watt has cooked in some of the world's finest kitchens including the Kozue and New York Grill restaurants in Tokyo's Park Hyatt, and Nobu and The Rib Room in London. His restaurant Roka won the title of Oriental Restaurant of the Year in 2005.

He has also worked as executive chef at the exclusive Huka Lodge.

"Federal St is well established as the innovative dining destination for Auckland foodies and visitors. The addition of Nic's restaurant early next year will further strengthen that reputation," SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison said.

Watt said he was looking forward to returning to Auckland.

"It's really great to be home in New Zealand working with SkyCity on a restaurant concept that I am extremely passionate about."

Ad Feedback

- © Fairfax NZ News