Toast & Oak was founded by a group of hospitality professionals from different corners of the world, brought together by a love of food, wine, and creating experiences that feel genuinely memorable.

At the heart of it are Giulio & Nathaly Barducci, Romain & Casady Cunat, Hayden Davison and Chad Cleaver; each bringing their own background, perspective and years of hospitality experience to the table. What started as conversations over coffee and wine slowly evolved into a vision for a restaurant that felt refined, welcoming and deeply personal to the people behind it.

Giulio Barducci, originally from Italy, leads the culinary direction of the restaurant, while his wife Nathaly, from Brazil, brings her experience in service and wine as both a sommelier and front-of-house professional. Originally from France, Romain has spent years building hospitality venues grounded in atmosphere, service and connection. Casady, originally from the States and Romain’s wife, leads the creative direction behind the brand and design, shaping the storytelling, experience and identity of Toast & Oak. Hayden Davison, originally from Australia and Chad Cleaver (not pictured) from New Zealand complete the team, bringing operational experience, hospitality knowledge and a commitment to building something lasting in Queenstown.

Together, this team from across the globe has built Toast & Oak around the idea that dining is about more than what’s on the plate or in the glass. It’s about how people feel when they walk through the door, the conversations around the table and the small details that turn dinner into something memorable.

Today, Toast & Oak reflects the people behind it: warm, thoughtful, detail-driven and always evolving. A restaurant shaped by different cultures, high standards and a genuine love for hospitality done properly.