French-inspired chef with global pedigree joins Distinction Nugget Point
Tuesday 13 April 2010, 1:09PM
By Distinction Nugget Point Boutique Hotel
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A chef extraordinaire who has worked in some of the world’s finest restaurants has joined Queenstown’s Distinction Nugget Point as Executive Chef.
After twenty years of global experience and a CV that glitters with coveted Michelin stars, Executive Chef Rob Hunt is eager to showcase his French-inspired style to the Queenstown community and its international visitors.
Mr Hunt’s philosophy is to create the best food using the highest quality local ingredients brought together with his inimitable classical style.
“We’re going to cook food with Kiwi ingredients, but not Kiwi food. My menus are French orientated; they have a lot of French flavour but with New Zealand ingredients,” he said.
“I want to take my classical background and use the New Zealand food culture to move in a really positive direction.
“At Distinction Nugget Point we’ll be embracing New Zealand and creating great relationships with our local suppliers. Menus are dictated by what’s fresh, seasonal and available.
“We’re a New Zealand owned business and we want that reflected in the food. Ultimately we are ‘selling’ New Zealand with what you’ll enjoy on your plate.”
Mr Hunt’s CV resembles a list of the world’s top restaurants. He started his career at the 5 star deluxe Savoy Grill at the world famous Savoy Hotel in London before moving to the 2 Michelin Star restaurant, ‘Le Clos Longchamps’, in Paris.
He worked aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 on an entire world cruise before moving to the Hotel Deidesheimer Hof, a 1 Michelin Star restaurant, in Germany.
After positions at 4 and 5 star restaurants in Egypt and Ethiopia, Mr Hunt returned to France and the 3 Michelin Star restaurant, La Cote St Jacques.
Working with some of the world’s best chefs has provided the ultimate education for Mr Hunt.
“The hours were long and the work was hard. I was however extremely fortunate to be constantly learning from the best of the best,” he said.
Mr Hunt hopes the local community will embrace the recent changes at Distinction Nugget Point and will pop in to sample its distinctively different but very affordable lunches, afternoon teas (French-style pastries a speciality) and dinners.