TURNING UP THE HEAT: AHI BRINGS KIWI HOSPITALITY TO SHANGHAI'S WATERFRONT

‍Shanghai, October 20 – For the month of November, celebrated New Zealand chef Ben Bayly and his team willtransform The Kitchen Table at W Shanghai - The Bund into Ahi Shanghai -  an eye-catching collaboration that recreates his award-winning Auckland restaurant Ahi and brings the spirit of New Zealand hospitality and world-class cuisine to China’s culinary capital. The Kitchen Table,with its interactive open kitchen, celebrates the legacy of Shanghai’s flourishing trade, making it the perfect backdrop for a dynamic culinary exchange between New Zealand and China.

Opening November 4, Ahi Shanghai will run until November 30, offering guests an immersive New Zealand dining experience unlike anything the city has seen before. The first week (November 4-8) will host exclusive New Zealand trade and media events, before opening to the public from November 9-30. Footage captured during the pop-up will also appear in Season 5of Ben Bayly’s TV Show A New Zealand Food Story due to air in 2026.

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A Culinary Vision from Aotearoa

Meaning “fire” in Te Reo Māori,Ahi symbolises the heart of Ben Bayly’s cooking philosophy, harnessing flame to reveal the pure,natural flavours of New Zealand. The Shanghai pop-up aims to celebrate those flavours and the people behind them, connecting diners to the land, produce,and culture that make New Zealand cuisine unique.

“We created the Ahi menu to celebrate authentic New Zealand food, fresh organic produce with bold, elemental flavours, grown by New Zealanders embracing regenerative agriculture,” says Chef Ben Bayly. “When I visited China last year, I was inspired by the generosity and passion for food I encountered. I can’t wait to return that hospitality and share a little piece of New Zealand with Shanghai.”

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The Experience

The W’s “The Kitchen Table” restaurant has been fully redesigned for the pop-up, featuring an entirely new fit-out that mirrors Ahi Auckland’s contemporary warmth. The space has been brought to life by Hannah Churchill of hcreates Design, an award-winning New Zealand interior designer based in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

In addition to the main restaurant, guests can also visit “The Bach Shanghai” on the hotel’s iconic WET Deck - a playful nod to New Zealand’s beloved seaside holiday homes. Here, visitors can enjoy New Zealand wines, fresh oysters, and refined Kiwi snacks like a luxe twist on the classic meat pie, all with panoramic views of the Bund skyline.

“At The W,we’re always looking to surprise and delight our guests with new experiences,” says Maarten Van Moortere, Director of Food & Beverage at W Shanghai - the Bund. “Ahi Shanghai offers something truly unique, not only an inspired New Zealand menu but also a complete transformation of our space by a New Zealand designer. It’s a chance for even our regular guests to experience the hotel in a whole new way.”

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A Collaboration of Creativity

The project is being produced and led by Tribal Brands Asia, a Kiwi-owned food and beverage marketing agency based in Shanghai, the pop-up continues the agency’s Ends of the Earth culinary exchange series which first brought Chinese chefs to explore New Zealand’s ingredients and landscapes.

“This project is a real passion piece for us,” says Aaron Marsich, Managing Director of Tribal Brands Asia. “We love Ben’s storytelling through A New Zealand Food Story, and wanted to bring that to life for our clients and partners in China. It’s about promoting New Zealand’s food culture and ingredients in a way that’s fresh and authentic.”

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About the Partners

Chef Ben Bayly is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed chefs, known for his deep respect for local produce and his award-winning restaurants Ahi and Origine in Auckland, as well as Aosta and Blue Door Bar in Arrowtown. His TV series ‘A New Zealand Food Story’ has inspired audiences to rediscover the people and produce behind New Zealand’s evolving cuisine.

W Shanghai –The Bund combines ultra-luxury with electric energy, making it the landmark stage for Ahi’s modern, fire-driven cuisine. W Shanghai – The Bund is located in the heart of one of the world’s most energetic cities.  With limitless views overlooking the Huangpu River, W Shanghai will set the scene on the North Bund.

Tribal Brands Asia has been operating in China for over 20 years,helping international food and beverage companies build their brands across Asia through creative marketing and a deep network within the Food &Beverage industry.

hcreates, founded by New Zealander Hannah Churchill, is a multi-award-winning interior design studio recognised in Architectural Digest’s AD100 for China.

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Bookings & Media Enquiries

A limited number of private dining opportunities for New Zealand exporters and partners are available during launch week.

Dates: November 4 – 8, 2025

Public Dining Dates: November 9 - 30, 2025

Location: The Kitchen Table, W Shanghai – The Bund, 66 Lvshun Rd, Hongkou District

Bookings, media & other enquiries: ahi@tribalbrandsasia.com

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