NZ chef at French restaurant awarded Michelin star

A New Zealand chef has been awarded a Michelin star for his restaurant in France.

Nick Honeyman posted on social media to celebrate the success for his restaurant Le Petit Léon.

He said receiving a Michelin star was an “ultimate goal”.

Honeyman and wife Sina Honeyman also co-own fine dining restaurant Paris Butter on Jervois Road in Auckland.

“We have been so overwhelmed with support over the last few days, we could not have done any of this without you all,” he said in his Instagram post.

“Five years ago Sina and I bought Le Petit Léon which was just open at the time 8 weeks of the year. She said to me if you want a star then we need to make that happen!

“As we built this business this was never our main objective but it was definitely on our goals list.”

He credited Sina with overseeing the front of house and allowing the kitchen team to “flourish”.

“This star belongs to our team, past and present and we could never have done this without Sina.”

He also thanked the suppliers, customers and the Paris Butter team in New Zealand.

“They allowed me to have full focus when we were in France and countless supportive phone calls and inspiration.”

Le Petit Léon is a seasonal restaurant in Le Bourg, Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère and is open from May through to September.