Restaurant on the menu of New Zealand’s best eateries
Consistency, passion, good produce and a group of dedicated staff are the key ingredients to a Taranaki restaurant’s success.
New Plymouth restaurant Social Kitchen was on Wednesday named in Cuisine Magazines top 100 restaurants in New Zealand and was the only Taranaki eatery to do so.
‘‘We just love this place and we hope that reflects on what we do,’’ restaurant owner Craig Macfarlane said.
Social Kitchen was opened in 2014 and is owned by Macfarlane and friends Karyn Grant, Karen Prichard and executive chef Blair Clement.
The group often got together for a meal and wanted a restaurant that was an extension of the social aspect they shared in their homes.
‘‘Our food concept is all about sharing,’’ Macfarlane said.
’’We’re all foodies at heart, so this was a chance to incorporate a liquid lunch or two and bounce ideas off each other too.’’
The restaurants were judged based on five criteria - environment, service, atmosphere, wine/ drink list and food.
‘‘We thought New Plymouth deserves something that is comparable to the rest of New Zealand,’’ Macfarlane said.
Another key component to the Social Kitchen’s success has been on sourcing fresh and local produce.
‘‘We try and use the best products we can all the time, what they supply to us is so critical to our business,’’ Clement said.
Clement, originally from Hawera, said his inspiration for cooking came from keeping things simple.
‘‘I like food that’s simple and tasty and not interfered with, and as soon as you need to get out any fancy equipment I lose interest,’’ he said.
The Social Kitchen team will have an extra reason to celebrate if they are successful at the grand final awards night in Auckland on August 7.
‘‘Without a doubt, we have to go. I’d love to dust off the Inglewood rugby shorts and jersey just for it,’’ Macfarlane said.