Amano is set for a fresh charge with a new Executive Chef, Dino, who, after a long tenure, is stepping up to take creative authority at one of the city’s most loved eateries. Having joined Amano in 2018 and held the Head Chef position since 2020, Chef Dino understands the nuances of a restaurant whose reputation for excellent Italian fare relies on both consistency of food and service.
His promotion follows the departure of Andrew Hanson, whose eight years as Executive Chef helped establish Amano as one of New Zealand’s most admired restaurants, although the strength of this transition also lies in the calibre of the chef now taking command.
Chef Dino has already shaped much of what regulars recognise as Amano’s signature rhythm, having developed dishes alongside Hanson and the wider kitchen team, within a produce-led Italian framework that rewards restraint and seasonality. His Whipped Parmesan, named one of Auckland’s Iconic Eats for 2026, is a reflection of his talent. Explaining the dish, Dio says, “My appreciation for Parmigiano cheese began with its complex profile; few ingredients can deliver such a nutty, savoury, and rich flavour on their own. I wanted to find a way to use it as a foundation for a dish rather than just a garnish. This led me to create the Parmesan spread, which showcases the cheese in a new form while preserving its distinctive taste. The result is a dish where the Parmesan is the highlight, served with warm bread and seasonal accompaniments.”
That same creativity will drive his future ambitions for Amano, as Chef Dino brings his own take to a restaurant that does not need reinvention but requires a chef capable of carrying the momentum without compromising the qualities that have made Amano the destination it is today. “Andrew has been a huge part of the Amano story,” says Lucien Law, founder of Savor Group. “He helped make it one of the best restaurants in the country, and a real measure of a leader is the strength of the team they leave behind. Andrew did that. Chef Dino is ready to take the next step because of it.”
Law is equally clear about what comes next: “Amano is in exactly the right hands. Chef Dino knows this kitchen, he’s earned the trust of the team and our regulars, and he’s the right person to carry it forward.”
Under Chef Dino, Amano enters an exciting, energised era, guided by a chef who is ready for the next chapter.
