The head chef of one of New Zealand's first Michelin star-winning restaurants is still processing the "unbelievable" achievement.
At a glitzy ceremony last night, 15 restaurants in New Zealand were awarded the prestigious stars.
Breakfast spoke to Dan Matto, head chef of Rātā – one of last night's winners – who said it was "unbelievable" and "crazy" to be awarded a star.
"I'm still kind of processing it at the moment, to be honest with you."
The restaurant, which Matto described as being "intertwined with the fabric of the South Island", was given one star, earning it the designation of "worth a stop" in the French tyre company's reference guide.
He said he only found out the restaurant had won last night.
"You hear things, but no one really knows, like no one actually knows. It's kind of the beauty of it, you know."
He said the achievement was "amazing" for himself and the team at Rātā.
"It's not just something that happens overnight, you know, it's like 15 years of hard work from teams past and present."
Matto said he was anticipating the restaurant to get "very busy" but was looking foward to celebrating with the team.
Asked if they ever figured out who or when the anonymous judge came into the restaurant, Matto said, "You never know."
"That's why they're so good at it.
"You think, 'Oh, they might have been in this and that,' but they're so good at their jobs that you know you don't, you don't really know."
Essence’s Paul Froggatt told Seven Sharp he was “gobsmacked” after the restaurant was awarded two stars. (Source: Seven Sharp)
Restaurants are awarded stars based on an anonymous inspection. Stars are awarded as part of the Michelin Guide, a reference book for restaurants published by the tyre company of the same name.
One star means the restaurant is worth a stop, two means it is worth a detour, and three signifies food special enough for a journey.
Restaurants awarded stars last night can be found in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wānaka.
The only restaurant to be awarded two Michelin stars was Essence in Queenstown.
In Auckland, Tala became the only Samoan restaurant in the world to be awarded a Michelin star.
Full list of Michelin star recipients
Auckland
Ahi
Mudbrick – Waiheke Island
Paris Butter
Tala
Tantalus Estate Restaurant – Waiheke Island
Wellington
Jano Bistro
Logan Brown
Ortega Fish Shack
Christchurch
Inati
Tussock Hill
Queenstown
Amisfield
Essence – two stars
Rātā
Sherwood
Wānaka
Kika
Bib Gourmand winners
Auckland
Apero Food & Wine
Atelier
Bianca
Bistro Saine
Boda
Cazador
Gemmayze Street
Goat
Milenta
Osteria Uno
Paloma Taqueria
Parro
Pasta & Cuore
Tempero
Wellington
154 Pastaria
Cicio Cacio
Hummingbird
Indian Alley
Christchurch
A'mano
The Athens Yacht Club
The Monday Room
Fire and Slice
Gatherings
Londo
Odeon
Roca
Soul Quarter
Queenstown
Aosta
Bombay Palace
Francesca
Muttonbird
Sundays
The Cow
Treehouse
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the stars handed out to restaurants across the country and another thrilling FIFA world cup game. (Source: 1News)
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