A tale of love, food, family — and taking a shot at something spectacular
Francky Godinho has always lived self-sufficiently.
Growing up on his family farm in Goa, India, Francky says his passion for food first stemmed from cooking with his mother. He stumbled into the world of cheffing as an apprentice at age 15 — and has since enjoyed an illustrative career cooking up magic across the globe, including a stint at the world’s only ‘seven star’ hotel, the luxurious Burj al-Arab in Dubai.
Francky moved to New Zealand in 2005. And then he met a girl.
Kathryn was also a chef, and the couple moved to Kathryn’s home town of Hawke’s Bay so Francky could take up a position as Head Chef at The Old Church, and Kathryn as pastry chef at Mission Estate Winery.
7 years later, a door opened for Francky and Kathryn to open their own Hawke’s Bay restaurant.
They jumped at the opportunity, but the search for the perfect space wasn’t easy. It had to have room to grow their own produce — partly due to Francky’s sustainable farming practices he learnt as a boy becoming key to his cooking style, and partly because their own gardens at home were full to bursting.
They took one look at St Georges, and the rest is history.
Today you’ll find Francky either in the garden, in the kitchen, or chatting to regulars over a coffee. Kathryn’s often buzzing about on the floor or behind the scenes, and in true family restaurant style, you might even spot their three children helping in the garden, washing dishes or setting up the restaurant.
Francky Godinho
Owner & Head Chef
Francky is a perfectionist. He nurtures his produce, hand-picks only the finest ingredients, puts 110% effort into everything he makes in the kitchen — and empowers his team to do the same.
Internationally recognised with a number of prestigious awards, Francky has also been named New Zealand’s ‘Chef of the Year’ twice.
“I get to spend hours in the garden with my hand in the soil, growing and harvesting something I grew from a seed. Something that I know will then get turned into the hero of a dish or the base of a recipe — one that will be devoured & appreciated by those who enter through our doors. I genuinely love what I do, it’s both a career and a lifestyle that brings me so much joy.”
Kathryn Godinho
Owner & Operations Manager
Behind every great chef is someone running the ship like clockwork. At St Georges, that someone is Kathryn.
Talented chef in her own right, Operation Manager & self-confessed hopeless romantic, Kathryn is the point of contact for all wedding and function bookings.
“Being part of someone's wedding day is an honour — we get to witness one of the biggest moments in their life and know that we helped bring it all together. The highs of getting to see them all dressed up, the emotions that run wild, the tears, the laughter, the first dance… it’s incredibly fulfilling.”
