Josh Emett — Queenstownʻs Chef
Queenstown/Auckland
Josh Emett brought fine dining to Queenstown with Rata — modern Kiwi dishes spotlighting Central Otagoʻs produce (venison, pinot noir, stone fruit, Central Otago saffron). Five seasons judging MasterChef NZ, three cookbooks. His restaurants span Queenstown (Rata), Auckland (Onslow, Gilt Brasserie), and Waiheke Island (The Oyster Inn). Emett represents the South Island food identity: farm-to-table, wine-paired, seasonal, with European polish and Kiwi heart. For Garthʻs Queenstown connection, Emettʻs Rata is the benchmark for the Central Otago food story.