Modern Kiwi cuisine on offer at newly opened beach restaurant

DYNAMIC DUO: Eddy Kennedy and Helen Turnbull in their restaurant 50-50 in Maclean St, Paraparaumu Beach.

A chef who has worked for Gordon Ramsay and Michel Troisgros as well as Josh Emett, now co-owns a new restaurant in Paraparaumu Beach.

Chef Helen Turnbull and maitre d' Eddy Kennedy have opened 50-50, in Maclean St, named in recognition of their co-ownership.

The restaurant offers modern New Zealand cuisine with a global twist meaning "the best local produce blended with culinary tweaks, techniques and flavours from all over the world," Helen said.

Dishes on the opening menu include lamb shoulder braised with cauliflower, sheep cheese and dates as well as roast fennel and macadamia soup with pickled pear.

"I'm excited to be sharing great food and providing a level of service that creates a real connection with our customers," she said.

"Our goal is to make everyone in the restaurant feel special," said Eddy, who has worked in restaurants around the world.

Helen did an apprenticeship at Te Papa's Icon restaurant, before heading to Japan where she worked the grill station at Kuon, as a commis chef and chef de partie at Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo, then chef de partie at Troisgros.

In a stint on a super yacht she cooked for Sir Michael Hill, which led to her becoming head chef at The Hills, Queenstown, and then head chef at Josh Emett's Rata, also in Queenstown.

Returning to Wellington she worked at Hummingbird as head chef, and met Eddy who she describes as "the best front of house person I have ever worked with".

The pair joined forces and decided to open their own restaurant in Kapiti citing factors such as improved infrastructure including the expressway, friends as well as Eddy living in the area, through to abundant local produce.

They've stripped out the former Muang Thai restaurant, which has moved across the road, and given 50-50 a minimalist feel in the meantime.

Helen runs an open kitchen, by herself, in full view of diners, while Eddy handles all the dining room duties, and out the back Paraparaumu College student Troy Bean lends a hand.

The restaurant, open Wednesday through to Saturday, can cater for 40 people and includes a chef's table where people can chat with Helen and watch her cook closeup.

www.50-50.co.nz / 022 4755301