Michelin in the Antipodes

This is Jennifer, posting from Auckland, NZ, pretty close to the antipodes of where Evan is in Spain. My fourth timezone this week, but luckily I’m staying here for nearly a week, as I’m both working and relaxing with family while I’m here.

The New Zealand government paid the Michelin Guide NZ$6.3m for them to come and rate New Zealand restaurants (although interestingly, not the whole country, just some selected cities and regions). Completely coincidentally, I was here the day the stars were announced, so took the opportunity while seats were still available to have dinner in the restuarant in central Auckland that received a star – Ahi. the next evening.

It was a fun night. All the staff at the restaurant were clearly thrilled with the star, and were very happy to spend time with me explaining the food and wine (it’s that kind of place, where every ingredient has a provenance, and many dishes are finished a the table so that they look appropriately spectacular. And really, if even a few people like me divert to Michelin recommended restaurants then the $6.3m is probably money well spent.

The dessert was a particularly difficult choice, as the one I eventually chose (Burnt bush honey tart) definitely sounded the nicest, but my second choice (Banana Louise Cake) was supposed to be from Whangerei, near Langs Beach, and was clearly influenced by the classic recipe from Edmonds cookbook, the NZ equivalent of the Women’s Weekly cookbook.

I took the chance to ask several relatives for advice, given the various traditional connections, but in the end, decided on flavour, and the honey tart was delicious, and, as one cousin said, that’s really the whole point.