Auckland restaurant Tala, led by Samoa-born chef Henry Onesemo, has become the first Samoan restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin star.
Auckland restaurant Tala has made history after being awarded One Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide New Zealand 2026, marking a landmark moment for Samoan cuisine.
The Michelin Guide New Zealand 2026 recognised 110 restaurants across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, including one Two Star restaurant, 14 One Star restaurants, 35 Bib Gourmand restaurants and 60 Michelin-selected restaurants. It also marked Michelin’s first-ever expansion into Oceania.
Tala, based in Parnell, was among the New Zealand restaurants awarded One Michelin Star. Michelin described Tala as a multi-course experience inspired by Samoan cuisine and culture, where traditional flavours are reinterpreted in creative ways to create a deeply personal dining journey.
For the Samoan community, the recognition carries special meaning. Tala was reported as the only Samoan restaurant in the world to be awarded a Michelin star, making the achievement not only a New Zealand hospitality milestone, but a historic moment for Samoan food.
During the ceremony, Tala was announced as the first restaurant to receive One Michelin Star in the inaugural New Zealand guide. Chef Henry Onesemo was called to the stage as the ceremony described Samoan culture and cuisine as having no greater ambassador, with his menu presented as a celebration of his heritage and skill.
The moment became emotional when Henry was asked about the meaning of Tala. He explained that “tala” means story, and said he was one of those trying to tell the Samoan food story before being overcome by the weight of the moment. The host then highlighted the significance of the award, asking him if he knew Tala was the first Samoan Michelin-starred restaurant in the world.
According to Tala, the Samoan word “tala” means “story” or “tale”. For Henry, the restaurant is a way to tell his own stories of Samoa through food inspired by villages, road stalls and childhood memories, combining traditional cooking with modern techniques.
Henry grew up in Samoa, where his passion for food began early. Tala says he remembers helping in the kitchen as a child and going to the fish market with his father before preparing the umu before church. He later trained as a chef in Samoa, worked overseas, and launched Tala with his wife Debby as a pop-up in 2022 before opening the current Parnell restaurant in November 2023.
Tala has described the Michelin recognition as a major step in showing Samoan food in a new light, with Henry saying the dream has always been to show that Samoa deserves a place on the international culinary stage.
For many Samoans, this award is more than fine dining recognition. It is a cultural milestone — a moment where the food of the umu, the village, the family table and fa’a Samoa was recognised by one of the most respected culinary institutions in the world.
