OneZB order riles supplier

A Hamilton supplier of gourmet foods is furious that failed premium restaurant OneZB placed a large order with him on its final day of trading.

Simon Gower, proprietor of Vetro Mediterranean Foods, said in the light of his experience he was angry to read a fellow creditor describe OneZB chef Andrew Clarke as "honourable".

Mr Gower is more than $4000 out of pocket as a result of the restaurant's liquidation the next day.

"Andrew Clarke placed an order on Saturday (July 11) knowing full well he was shutting the doors that night," Mr Gower said.

"We went in on Tuesday to reclaim the goods and the kitchen had been absolutely gutted. There was literally nothing left.

"We have a clause in our terms and conditions where goods remain ours until paid for in full, but they were all gone."

Mr Clarke could not be contacted, but the Times understands there are claims OneZB on-sold surplus kitchen goods to other restaurants on the Sunday after closure.

Mr Gower was also stung by the recent closure of Pasta Mia, in Casabella Lane, as the recession has cut a swathe through the Hamilton restaurant scene.

But he said while restaurants were struggling, Hamilton cafes were humming.

"It's a funny market in Hamilton. People are not going out for dinner, but are going out for lunch."

Meanwhile Greg Mcleod, a 16-year veteran of the Hamilton restaurant scene and creator of the original premises where OneZB existed (The Balcony), said now was a very difficult trading environment for restaurants, with a diminishing market at the top end.

"I was at OneZB on its final night and the place was full, as it was on the Friday," Mr McLeod said. "That only shows what a fine line it is, with the Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday trade dragging things down.

"Being visible is very important, but the rents are horrendous.

"There is only a certain amount of business out there, and it is an exacting business."

The prices of meals had not risen significantly in five years, but all the costs had gone up.

"To survive, restaurants had to offer a point of difference," Mr McLeod said. "It is not enough to be serving plates of food."

- © Fairfax NZ News