Acclaimed chef Michael Meredith’s Metita restaurant has been named an award winner in a prestigious global design award.
The Pacific-themed eaterie in Auckland’s SkyCity has been honoured with the Best Australia & Pacific Restaurant in the Hotel category at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. Metita was the only New Zealand nominee in the awards.
The restaurant, which opened last year replacing Gusto at the Grand, was designed by trans-Tasman design studio CTRL Space.
Founder Chris Stevens was in Barcelona to pick up the award, alongside creative director Sam Griffin, and said it was “incredible” to win.
“We are so proud to represent New Zealand on an international stage such as this. We put our heart and soul into our work and it is extra special that Metita is the recipient of this award.”
He called the design “enduring”, “but importantly, it adds something truly unique to our country’s hospitality landscape, helping to tell the story of Aotearoa’s rich and vibrant culture”.
Metita is named after Meredith’s late mother.
In an interview in 2023, he said he always wanted to name a restaurant after his mum: “She introduced me to cooking, and gave me a passion that shaped my path in life.”
CTRL Space has studios in Auckland and Brisbane and recently designed the new NZ Warriors’ bar, Full Time Sports Bar & Eatery, in Kingsland.