The Restaurant Association has inducted globally celebrated chef and businessman, and long-serving industry icon Mark Gregory into its Hall of Fame for 2022.
Since 1992 the Restaurant Association has each year awarded the Hall of Fame to one individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry and continues to do so. In joining the Hall of Fame, Gregory is now in the company of industry greats including the godfather of hospitality, Otto Groen; Fleur Sullivan; Michael Van de Elzen; Tony Astle; Simon Gault, Judith Tabron and many others.
“We’re thrilled to recognise Mark for his remarkable career throughout which he has not only built many successful businesses both within hospitality and elsewhere, but also consistently and generously given back to the community,” commentedMarisa Bidois, Restaurant Association CEO.
Gregory’s achievements are considerable. In the kitchen, he was named New Zealand Chef of the Year in 1984 and 1987, before an international stint which saw him win the British Chef of the Year 1988. By 1987, Gregory was awarded a Master of Culinary Arts by the Royal Academy – a first for a New Zealander – and earned Meilleur Ouvrier (Master Craftsman) status in France.
He has worked in prominent establishments across Europe and the United Kingdom over the course of two decades, including nine years as Executive Chef at London’s luxury One Aldwych hotel. Gregory has founded multiple successful restaurants including Its’u in London. He returned to New Zealand from his international sojourn in 2007.
