Lewisham Awards: The glamour night of cooking when the big stars shone bright

NZ Herald

3 Jun, 2024 08:04 PM3 mins to read

Kia Kanuta won Auckland's Outstanding Chef award.

Auckland’s restaurant scene’s big names gathered at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre to celebrate the 22nd annual Lewisham Awards.

Around 600 guests attended Sunday night’s event, dressed in a masquerade theme that saw a mix of masks and capes with an event that had circus acrobatics and a host of gourmet food trucks and cocktail stands for those in attendance.

Josh and Helen Emett won “Outstanding New Establishment” for Gilt Brasserie. Located in Auckland’s CBD Chancery, the well-known couple are defying the decline of the CBD to create a dining experience that’s proved there’s still life in the heart of the city.

Directly across O’Connell St is Cocktail Bar Kitchen Panacea who took double honours for “Outstanding Bartender” and “Outstanding Innovation”. The popular date night location has become a must-do on Auckland’s hidden bar scene for their matching of cocktails to sharing plates.

Outside of the city centre there were also multiple awards for Dominion Rd establishment Cazador. Taking out “Outstanding front of house” and “Outstanding Sustainability”, the multi-generational family-owned restaurant specialises in bringing wild game to the table.

Kia Kanuta was awarded the title of “Outstanding Chef” for his work at Ada Restaurant where his incorporation of traditional Māori cooking methods into fine dining has received rave reviews.

The Hospitality Hero for 2024 was named as Peter Gordon for homeland. The restaurant, cooking school and food store that has driven innovation in defining Aotearoa and Pacific cuisine is due to close at the end of July and hopes to relocate to new premises. In accepting the award Gordon acknowledged the challenges that the industry faces.

“It’s been a tough time and tough times are ahead, you’re all heroes.”

Valarie Littlejohn was presented with a lifetime achievement award. The 91-year-old owner of Sails Restaurant recounted memories of fighting for changes to liquor laws and paid tribute to family. “I got into the restaurant business purely by accident, I could never have done all that I’ve done without my family.”

While the night was one of celebration the current economic climate was not lost on those in attendance. The awards chairman Daniel Sullivan observed that it served as motivation for the sector.

“In tough economic times the industry has to give people a reason to come out for that hospitality experience. The innovation in exploring what Aotearoa and Pacific cuisine is, as well as suburban eateries delivering exceptional high quality, hospitality in Auckland is among the best in the world.”