Hector's Restaurant

Heritage Auckland

35 Hobson Street, Auckland
(09) 979 7434
www.heritagehotels.co.nz

I recently stayed at the Heritage Auckland and savoured a ‘raw’ experience. Hence, my first ever breakfast review.

Yes, executive chef Jinu Abraham has been developing an exotic selection of raw breakfast goodies serving up his philosophy that what you eat really should be good for you. While he’s an avid exponent of the benefits of vegan and vegetarian delights, he also serves stylish traditional breakfasts if that’s your fancy.

The majority of produce Jinu uses is sourced from within a 50 kilometre radius of the Heritage, thus reducing the carbon footprint and supporting local farmers and suppliers.

On the raw breakfast bar there is: lemon marmalade; orange & miso dressing; coconut yoghurt; cacao & nut bars; sunflower & sweet paprika crackers; juices; yoghurt & museli with a strawberry infusion; cold drip-style coffee plus more — all RAW and delicious.

Jinu Abraham’s aim is to please all food lovers — whatever their tastes. Originally from New Delhi, Jinu joined the Heritage Auckland in 2003 as demi chef de partie, and has been executive chef since 2008. Inspired by Asian traditions, Jinu adds a Western twist that results in tempting temptations that have picked up an impressive range of accolades including winning the New Zealand Vegetarian Dish Challenge in 2012 and 2014.

Hectors Restaurant nestles under a canopy of palms in a dramatic seven-storey atrium. It is named after a parrot — or rather, a sulphur-crested cockatoo — that ruled the rooftop playground of the old Farmers department store, which occupied the building prior to the Heritage. Hector was allegedly over 100 years old when he passed away in 1997.