This October, Kureta at JW Marriott Auckland, welcomes Chef Hajime Horiguchi of Warabi at W Melbourne for an exclusive two-city culinary exchange.
The collaboration will begin with Chef Aki traveling to W Melbourne on 1st, 2nd and 3rd of October before both chefs travel back to Kureta in Auckland for two exclusive dinners on 8th, 9th and 10th October.
Presented as “Masters of Fire & Water”, the experience will bring together two distinct expressions of contemporary Japanese dining through a ten-course collaborative omakase.
Meet Chef Akihiro 'Aki' Nakamura
For Chef Aki Nakamura, cooking is about fire, flavour and connection. At Kureta, he brings Japanese technique together with premium New Zealand produce, preparing each dish live at the counter and inviting guests into the heart of the experience.
His style is bold and expressive, celebrating the energy of cooking over fire while remaining deeply rooted in Japanese craftsmanship. The result is a dynamic dining experience that offers a compelling counterpoint to Warabi’s delicate precision.
Introducing Chef Hajime Horiguchi
Joining from Melbourne, Chef Hajime Horiguchi brings his refined approach to contemporary Japanese cuisine to Warabi. Grounded in the traditions of kappo, his cooking celebrates seasonality, precision and the integrity of exceptional ingredients.
With a particular finesse for seafood, Hajime creates thoughtfully progressive menus where each course builds naturally upon the last, taking guests on a considered journey through texture, flavour and Japanese craftsmanship.
Two chefs. Two cities. One menu made together.
- 10-course omakase | $250 per person
- Optional wine and sake pairing | $150 per person
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