Icon of city hospitality scene Pedro dies at 73
Restaurateur Pedro Carazo, founder of popular Spanish food chain Pedro’s House of Lamb, has died unexpectedly aged 73.
Carazo has been remembered as ‘‘a true ambassador of the Hispanic community in Christchurch’’ and an icon of the city’s hospitality scene since 1985.
His first restaurant, Pedro’s, helped introduce European dining to the city, and Carazo’s struggles to rebuild his business post-quake made him an emblem of perserverance.
‘‘Don’t give up. We started once from nothing and we can start again,’’ he told The Press in July 2011.
A tribute on Pedro’s House of Lamb’s Facebook page said Carazo was ‘‘beloved’’.
‘‘While our hearts are heavy they’re also filled with beautiful, warm and happy memories. A life lived to the fullest.
‘‘Pedro we’re so proud of everything you accomplished ... we’ll be cooking for you.’’
Carazo, who lost his home, business and son, 35-year-old Christian, in the Canterbury earthquakes, did not regret relocating to Christchurch from Madrid.
‘‘People say I made a mistake to come to this country but I say I did not. This is still a beautiful country, a beautiful city.
‘‘I can’t believe all the help we got after the earthquake,’’ he told The Press in 2016.
But he was less sure about rebuilding his successful Worcester St restaurant.
‘‘A new restaurant would have to be better and my mind it is not the same,’’ Carazo said.
Instead he opened Pedro’s House of Lamb in 2012.
First a modified shipping container on Carlton Corner, the business expanded to a second outlet in Queenstown, then a permanent third site in Sydenham.
The business’ first Auckland shop opened in Ponsonby last year.
Pedro’s House of Lamb boasts a simple menu based around Kiwi produce.
The chain’s signature dish is a whole lamb shoulder with scalloped potatoes.