Banking on youth

Aucklanders Justin Crooks and Roger Chu have taken New Zealand cuisine to Shanghai, opening Little Huia restaurant on Dagu Lu. “We wanted to create what we believe epitomizes the New Zealand dining experience, being able to enjoy top quality ingredients, good wines and great coffee in a casual and friendly environment,” Crooks explains. Unlike restaurants serving more established cuisines, Crooks recognizes that the major challenge for the venture will be convincing people that a New Zealand restaurant has something to offer. “As you know New Zealand is a young country so people don’t associate a particular style of cuisine with it,” he says. “This is why our concept is based on the experience and the ingredients of a New Zealand restaurant.”