Top New Zealand chef, Nick Honeyman, has been awarded a Michelin star for his restaurant in France.
In the Dordogne village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, Chef Honeyman, his German-born wife Sina and their international team have been awarded a Michelin star for their modern, no-holds-barred approach to Perigordian cooking at their restaurant, Le Petit Léon.
Honeyman has posted on social media to celebrate the success for his restaurant stating receiving a Michelin star was an “ultimate goal”.
Situated in the South of France, Le Petit Léon is one of 52 eateries in France that have been awarded a prestigious Michelin star this year, the first for Honeyman and his team.
“A Michelin star is one of the most prestigious honours a restaurant can receive.
“While I pride myself on cooking for people, not praise, there’s no denying it’s an accolade that many chefs and restaurant owners only dream of, and myself and the rest of the team at Le Petit Léon, are incredibly honoured and humbled to be recognised,” says Honeyman.
Nick, who was born in South Africa, is considered one of New Zealand’s top chefs, having worked in some of of Auckland’s most notable eateries including The French Cafe, Dallows, Cru and Everybody’s Izakaya before opening the Three Hat award winning restaurant Paris Butter in 2016.
This year, The Michelin Guide Inspectors travelled throughout France to unearth culinary talent wherever it was to be found. According to Michelin there has been a gastronomic explosion in France’s regional towns and cities, especially in the countryside.
