The experts
Nic Watt
Nic Watt moved to Japan in 1996, and his great love of the traditions of Japanese cuisine began. Before returning to New Zealand, he gained experience in successful restaurants such as London’s Park Hyatt Knightsbridge, Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Nobu, and London’s Roka, as well as others in Hong Kong and the United States. Between 2001 and 2004, he served as executive chef at Taupo¯’s Huka Lodge. In 2013, he opened the award-winning Masu at Auckland’s Sky City.
Andrew McCormick
The son of All Black Fergie McCormick, Andrew (nicknamed ‘‘Angus’’) was educated at Christchurch
Boys’ High
School, and moved to Japan to play for Toshiba Fuchu in 1992. He was a powerful centre who had a big impact, playing 25 games for the Japan national team, which he captained during the 1999 Rugby World Cup. A hugely popular player, he began coaching at Toshiba and then became a player and technical adviser at Kamaishi Seawaves. McCormick is currently head coach of Kwansei Gakuin University’s rugby club. He has spent more than two decades in Japan.
Bernadette Courtney
An award-winning journalist, Courtney was most recently the editor of The Dominion Post in Wellington. She has travelled extensively and recently went on a five-day food tour of Tokyo. She loves the dedication to, and craft around, Japanese food.