About
Built at the table.
Rauhī & Cru was founded by people who have spent their careers in hospitality — not observing it, but living it. We bring that experience to everything we do.
Our story
Where it began
Rauhī + Cru grew out of a shared conviction to explore what thoughtful effort can bring about — a way of working shaped by care for people, flavour and a genuine sense of hospitality.
We are shaped by extensive experience across the UK, New Zealand,Australia, the United States, Italy and beyond — from casual cafés and neighbourhood restaurants to Michelin-starred dining rooms. Our work spans intimate dinner parties, wine-led gatherings, pop-ups and large-scale events, including award ceremonies upto 1,000 guests. We bring a practical understanding of what makes hospitality work: the room, the rhythm, the people, the offer and the details that make guests want to stay.
Our shared experience has become the blueprint for Rauhī + Cru: informed by enthusiasm, care for people, place and produce, and a belief that hospitality should feel considered, generous and made for the moment. If you are planning an event, developing a hospitality offer or looking for a fresh perspective on your restaurant or venue, we would love to hear what you have in mind.
The name
Rauhī
A Māori word meaning to tend, to nurture, to care for. It speaks to the relationship between people and the land — the careful stewardship that underpins everything we do at the table.
Cru
A play on crew — the team — and cru, the wine term for a specific, exceptional place of origin. Together, we are a team defined by where we come from and what we know.
What we stand for
Whenua first
The land shapes everything — the food we cook, the wine we pour, the stories we tell. We work with what the land gives us, in the season it gives it.
Honest craft
We don't chase trends. We pursue excellence in the fundamentals — technique, flavour, service — and let that speak for itself.
Genuine manaakitanga
Manaakitanga — the Māori concept of hospitality and care — is not a marketing word for us. It is the standard we hold ourselves to at every table.
Deep knowledge
Our team brings decades of combined experience across kitchens, cellars, and dining rooms. We know our craft, and we keep learning.
The team
People who know their craft.
Rauhī & Cru is a small, deliberately assembled team. We work with a wider network of chefs, winemakers, producers, and front-of-house professionals who share our values — but at the core, we are a crew that has worked together for years.
Michael Clark
NGĀ RUAHINE
Michael brings over 30 years of hospitality experience across the UK, USA, Australia, and his native New Zealand. Having worked across some of the industry’s most respected markets, he offers deep insight, broad international perspective, and extensive knowledge of what makes exceptional hospitality truly stand out.
Domenico Sprovieri
Calabrese
Domenico brings extensive hospitality experience shaped by his native Italy and international career. With a deep understanding of service, quality, and guest experience, he combines Italian warmth and attention to detail with broad industry knowledge, offering a refined perspective on what makes hospitality truly memorable