28/01/2026
This month, we celebrate 10 years of Amaru.
I used my life savings to start this restaurant, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. We didn’t have everything figured out; we weren’t the complete picture. But we had to open the doors and start trading. I was comfortable with Amaru not taking full shape straight away, knowing the business would grow and evolve from there.
Those early days were hard. For the first 18 months, I honestly thought we might have to close with every other month. But little by little, we got through. On nights when there were only two guests in the dining room, we focused on creating something people would want to come back for – and they did.
I was lucky enough to attract the kind of people who understood the why behind what we were trying to do.
We received a hat in our first year and were nominated as one of ’ top 10 restaurants. That support and recognition meant a lot, and still does to this day. But the real milestone was seeing repeat guests. That’s been the most important lesson, and the thing that’s compounded over time – the guests who return again and again. Those relationships have been everything.
We’ve been lucky with our team, too. We’ve had the right people – people who poured their heart and soul into the place. It’s never just been about me, or my name. Amaru has grown into something with its own identity, shaped by every person who’s walked through the kitchen. It’s been a privilege to watch our alumni go on to do their own things.
We’re still not at our final destination. Amaru was never meant to be static – we’ll keep evolving, pushing, questioning. The only constant is the foundation we built: an attitude, a standard, and a belief that the greatest marker of success is the guest who chooses to return.
Thank you – for ten years of belief.
