In a MICHELIN Guide “My NYC” profile published June 11 2025, Australian-born chef Shaun Hergatt—celebrated for his seafood- and vegetable-driven Vestry in SoHo—explains how a childhood of foraging, fishing and farm life near the Great Barrier Reef informs his mission to craft meals that make people happy. He shares a personal roll-call of New York favorites: everyday go-tos such as Sushi Ryusei, Minetta Tavern and 4 Charles Prime Rib; quintessential icons like Katz’s Deli, Delmonico’s, Keens and Junior’s; and special-occasion temples Per Se, Daniel and Le Bernardin. For pure comfort he turns to Shake Shack, coal-fired Korean barbecue at New Wonjo, ramen at Koku and thin-crust pies at Rubirosa, while Ruby’s and newcomer Old Mates Pub scratch his Aussie itch. Marea tops his list for dining solo, with Sushi Yasuda, Casa Lever, Thai Diner and Nha Trang cited as hidden gems, and the Greenwich Hotel crowned his ideal staycation spot. Looking ahead, Hergatt teases an upcoming American brasserie in Atlanta and says his ultimate dream is simply “to be a better server,” spreading joy and community through unforgettable food experiences.