Josh Barlow, former head chef at Cuisine three-hat restaurant The Grove, has been appointed executive chef of Peter Gordon’s iconic Sugar Club at SKYCITY Auckland.
Having left The Grove at the end of 2017 to spend time with his young family, Mr Barlow says it was a case of ‘right place, right opportunity’ that arrived sooner than expected.
“I’m really looking forward to joining SKYCITY and the Sugar Club team, and working with Peter Gordon. It’s going to be a fresh challenge working with Peter and learning about his particular fusion cuisine. I believe there’s lots of room to grow in this restaurant, and it’s where I want to develop my cuisine,” says Mr Barlow.
Set on level 53 of the Sky Tower, The Sugar Club couples Peter Gordon’s internationally-renowned fusion cuisine with spectacular views over the city and Hauraki Gulf.
Chef Peter Gordon says Mr Barlow has impressive drive and a huge amount of talent.
“When Josh’s CV came across my table, I was thrilled. It is exciting to have such a talent in Auckland, especially as he has worked in restaurants I admire both here and in the UK. Fortuitous timing has led us to soon start working together, which is going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to producing some memorable dishes together when I return to New Zealand at the end of May, as are my kitchen and front of house teams in The Sugar Club.”
Mr Barlow started at The Sugar Club in early May, and will play a key role in a refreshed winter menu that will launch in June.
After working seven years abroad, first in Australia and then in Michelin starred restaurants in the UK, Mr Barlow returned to Auckland in 2015 to make his mark on the restaurant scene. He started as senior sous chef at the award-winning The Grove and in 2016 took over as head chef.
Mr Barlow will be replacing executive chef Neil Brazier, who has been with The Sugar Club since opening in 2013, and is stepping away from the kitchen to spend time with his growing family in Northland.
“I was incredibly lucky five years ago to meet Neil, who has been a hugely talented executive chef, is a fantastic sounding board, and remains a great people manager,’’ says Mr Gordon “I am sad to see him leave of course, but he leaves us in great shape.”
The Sugar Club at the Sky Tower is the fourth incarnation of The Sugar Club, which celebrated 30 years in 2016. The Sky Tower Sugar Club celebrates its fifth birthday this year.
