WELCOME TO FLORIDITAS

Kiwi chef Hayden Mcmillan has returned to New Zealand, arriving at Floriditas in Wellington. The relationship between Hayden – most recently, the owner and head chef of highly acclaimed Brunswick East eatery, Etta – and Floriditas was born out of a Visa Wellington On a Plate chef collaboration in 2018, when he paired with the eatery for a four-night Etta takeover. And lucky for Wellington diners, Hayden brings his wife, Dominique (who also managed Melbourne eateries, Cutler & Co. and Marion) who will take up the role as Floriditas front-of-house. Floriditas co-owner, Julie Clark, says, “I’m really excited about the knowledge and skill Hayden and Dom both bring. Hayden’s food has always excited me and I know I’m going to learn heaps. It’s about the fun and sparking of new ideas,” she says. Hayden previously worked at some of Auckland’s top restaurants, including The French Café, Vinnies, Meredith’s, Tribeca and Waiheke Island Yacht Club, as well as earning one hat as head chef at The Roving Marrow in Melbourne. floriditas.co.nz