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Johnny Di Francesco, founder of Melbourne’s most awarded pizza restaurant – 400 Gradi – has just opened his very first venue in New Zealand.

Opening this month, passengers flying from Auckland International Airport can now taste the best Italian food outside of Italy before jetting off on a holiday or business trip – and they don’t even have to visit Europe!

Situated airside (after airport security), 400 Gradi offers a carefully selected menu showcasing some all-time favourites. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu includes freshly baked pastries and an array of poached egg breakfast dishes for the early risers, plus 400 Gradi’s traditional mouth-watering pasta, world famous pizza and sweet touches to finish – it’s definitely a menu worth arriving three hours early for!

Speaking about his opening across the Tasman, Johnny said, “Opening at Auckland International Airport has been a fantastic achievement for me personally and for the Gradi Group. Bringing our authentic dishes to the global market is very exciting and we can’t wait to hear what our new customers think!”

Richard Barker, General Manager of Retail & Commercial, Auckland Airport added, “Auckland Airport is delighted to partner with Johnny Di Francesco and the Delaware North team to bring authentic Italian to Auckland Airport, as part of our transformation of the food and beverage offer.”

Offering travellers from all over the globe access to his authentic dishes, and using the finest Italian ingredients, Johnny wanted to give his diners-in-transit the full 400 Gradi experience, which can also be seen in the design and interior of the restaurant. The chic black furniture, and white and golden hues throughout the restaurant reflect that of his other 400 Gradi restaurants in Melbourne and the Middle East.

From humble beginnings when 400 Gradi first opened in Melbourne in 2008, the Auckland opening marks the group’s third international restaurant launch within the last 12 months, adding to his growing portfolio of venues around Australia and overseas.