Giulio Sturla
Originally from Chile, Giulio has been living in New Zealand for 11 years. Quickly became established as one of the most relevant and influential chefs in the hospitality industry today, Giulio is also the founder and driving force of Eat New Zealand, a movement to promote New Zealand ingredients and their stories both domestically and overseas. A firm believer in the value of developing a better food system that celebrates the best ingredients out there while also representing the unique culture of the country, he has been pioneering and championing Kiwi cuisine for the past decade.
Giulio was the chef and creator of Roots, an acclaimed restaurant in Lyttelton, just outside of Christchurch. There he focused on experimentation while researching foraging and integrating local produce, inspiring many across New Zealand. Open for over six years, Roots achieved many cuisine accolades and media features, including being named the only three-hated restaurant outside of the Auckland CBD. In 2018, Giulio was named Chef of the Year.
Giulio continues his endeavors in the kitchen, asserting his love for New Zealand ingredients as well as and a passion for its people across multiple projects. At the moment he is travelling around the country and overseas collaborating with like-minded chefs, as well as focusing on intimate dinners and private dinners and advancing his mission for kiwi flavours around the world.
2014 One Hat, NZ Good Food Awards
2014 Best New Restaurant Runner-Up, NZ Good Food Awards
2015 Two Hats, NZ Good Food Awards
2015 Innovation Award, NZ Good Food Awards
2015 Restaurant of the Year, NZ Good Food Awards
2015 Restaurant of the Year, Chevrons
2016 Three Hats, NZ Good Food Awards
2016 Innovator of the Year, RANZ
2016 Chef of the Year, Chevrons
2018 Chef of the Year, NZ Good Food Awards
Bikini x Giulio Sturla Collaboration
A Collaboration in between Bikini and Giulio Sturla in Bali. An incredible trip visiting Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Singapore that created relatiosips with many like minded people, now good friends...
Back To My Roots - Mugaritz & Roots Collab
A collaboration between Roots restaurant in Lyttelton and Mugaritz from San Sebastian, Spain; in celebration of Roots 5th anniversary and launched in celebration of Mugaritz 20th birthday.
Lyttelton, Christchurch
hello@giuliosturla.com