About Connie Aldao
Born and bred in Argentina, and a New Zealand citizen since 2008, Connie was taught to cook by the master of open-fire cooking, celebrated Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, and was a key member of “Team Mallmann” for 12 years, rising to general manager and head chef.
Connie achieved international recognition in 2002 when the 1884 Restaurant, which she set up for Mallmann and led for six years in the Argentine wine capital of Mendoza, won seventh place in the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants chosen by London’s Restaurant Magazine.
After marrying a Kiwi diplomat, Connie and her family moved to New Zealand in 2006, first to Wellington and later to Waiheke in 2015. Connie became known in Waiheke cooking circles during two years as Head Chef at Stonyridge Vineyard from 2015-17.
Accompanying her partner on a diplomatic assignment to Hong Kong from 2018-19, Connie led the opening of luxury Chinese restaurant Madame Fu Grand Cafe Chinois, culinary centrepiece of the newly refurbished Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts in central Hong Kong Island. As inaugural Executive Director of Operations, she led the restaurant’s team of 70 staff for the first 18 months from startup, establishing Madame Fu as one of Hong Kong’s most popular venues.
Connie’s cooking is influenced by Argentina’s Mediterranean heritage from Italy and Spain and its love affair with the charcoal grill.
Her goals are “delicious food, warm service, fine value, and delighted diners keen to return”.
“I want people to love our food as much as I love cooking it for them, and to really relax and enjoy and feel the fun and charm of Waiheke”
