North Canterbury winery Black Estate is The Alchemist’s Table Winery Restaurant of the Year in the 2023 Cuisine Good Food Awards.

Also in the South Island, Amisfield, in Queenstown, is again the American Express Restaurant of the Year and has been awarded a 3-hat status, signifying it to be “extraordinary and approaching perfection”.

The Cuisine Good Food Awards, the annual industry celebration regarded as the country's pre-eminent hospitality awards, this week announced 18 category winners and 84 Hatted restaurants.

The exceptional restaurants which took home “hats” – either 3, 2 or 1 – have been named as the best in Aotearoa New Zealand. Similarly, those establishments and industry players who took home category wins are those considered to be the leaders of their craft.

Dining at Amisfield is described by the judges as “magical, entertaining and memorable”. The restaurant is led by former Cuisine Chef of the Year Vaughan Mabee, who, in a further demonstration of his prowess, also took home the Ōra King Salmon Innovation Award this year.

“Mabee remains top of his game, delighting us with his theatre of food delivery and executing a near faultless and daring dance of innovation putting Kiwi food firmly on the global culinary stage," says Kerry Tyack, Lead Judge.

Cuisine Chef of the Year went to Zennon Wijlens from Paris Butter in Auckland for his leadership and ingenuity. This restaurant also joined the coveted 3-hat list.

Another restaurant joining the six top 3-hat establishments is Logan Brown in the Wellington CBD, hailed by the judges for its consistency and quality.

The 3-hatted group also includes Cocoro, Auckland; Pacifica, Hawke's Bay; and Sid at the French Café, Auckland.

Individual awards included Rising Talent – One to Watch for Neil Sapitula at Solera & Saltwater, Bay of Plenty; and Peter Gordon at Homeland, Auckland, who was named the Pead Food Legend.

Awards

American Express Restaurant of the Year: Amisfield – Lake Hayes, Queenstown

Cuisine Chef of the Year: Zennon Wijlens – Paris Butter – Auckland

Pead Food Legend: Peter Gordon – Homeland – Auckland

NIWA-Haku Kingfish Champion for Change: Ben Bayly – Ahi, Origine, The Grounds – Auckland, Aosta, Little Aosta, Blue Door Bar, The Bathhouse – Queenstown

Specialist Restaurant of the Year: Hiakai – Mount Cook, Wellington

Greenstone Creek Metropolitan Restaurant of the Year: Culprit – Auckland

Leefield Station Regional Restaurant of the Year: Central Fire Station Bistro – Napier, Hawke’s Bay

Ōra King Salmon Innovation Award: Vaughan Mabee – Amisfield – Queenstown

Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year: Hello Beasty – Auckland

The Alchemist’s Table Winery Restaurant of the Year: Black Estate – Waipara Valley, North Canterbury

Kenwood Restaurant Personality of the Year: Poi Eruera – Odettes Eatery & Hugo’s Bistro – Auckland

Hotel Room Service of the Year: Hilton – Auckland

Pastry Chef of the Year: Lisa Crowe – Skycity – Auckland

Rising Talent – One to Watch: Neil Sapitula – Solera – Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty

Luxury Lodge Chef of the Year: Paul Froggatt – The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs – Matauri Bay, Northland

Sommelier & Wine Experience of the Year: Andrea Martinisi – The Grove – Auckland

Drinks List of the Year: Teresa – Napier, Hawke’s Bay

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