Tongan chef hopes Pacific peoples come try 'New Zealand's best' as he re-opens The Grill

A Tongan chef ushering in the return of SkyCity's popular The Grill steak restaurant says he is excited for everyone, especially Pacific peoples, to enjoy "New Zealand's best".

Touvai Poloniati will be Executive Chef when the five-star "Horizon by SkyCity" hotel opens in March, bringing in his worldly experiences from across Hong Kong, Canada and Australia.

Speaking to John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Poloniati says Pacific peoples are often not too fussed about the intricacies of meat dishes.

"As long as it's meat that we eat," Poloniati says.

"You'll notice the difference in the quality of the stuff that gets produced in New Zealand."

He says he is also excited for patrons to taste the flavours of Tongan dishes that influence his culinary prowess.

"Maybe not the ingredients or the actual dishes but I grew up with those flavours," Poloniati says.

"And that feeling when you eat Polynesian food you'll get it in some of the dishes."

The accomplished Tongan chef's relationship with SkyCity spans back to his apprenticeship days as a teenager, training for what he calls a "full-circle" moment today as he prepares for The Grill's re-opening.

Poloniati will also be SkyCity's second Pacific chef following Sāmoan chef Michael Meredith who opened Metita last October.

"I've followed Michael since I started cooking. Seeing him across the road now and then it's pretty cool," he says.

The prominent steak restaurant originally opened on Federal Street in 2021.

SkyCity General Manager of Hospitality, David Allott says, he has had constant emails asking when The Grill would return.

"I’m glad to say the time has come," Allot says.

Poloniati says The Grill previously served imported beef from Australia and the prominent wagyu steak from Japan. This time around he says the restaurant will be focused on highlighting the quality of local produce.

On the menu will be "Aotearoa's culinary treasures" such as the beef Wellington, mac ‘n’ cheese and miso hollandaise, alongside new dishes such as the Wapiti Venison Tartare and Caesar Salad.

"We're also doing seafood and stuff as well. It's a bit of a challenge but keen on that," Poloniati says.

He says that the cow breed and meat brand matters in determining the quality and when asked what his favourite cut of beef is, Poloniati answered: "All day Scotch [fillet]".

The Grill will open within the Horizon by SkyCity hotel next to the soon-to-be-completed New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) on Hobson Street.

Watch the full interview from PMN Tonga's Facebook page below: