The Hamilton-born chef is best-known for his working relationship with the international Gordon Ramsay restaurant group, working alongside Ramsay as executive chef and achieving four prestigious Michelin stars.
He oversaw North American operations as the London New York and West Hollywood executive chef, was Savoy Grill's head chef and, most recently, opened Ramsay's first two restaurants in Australia.
Emett is also a Masterchef New Zealand judge and a Masterchef Australia celebrity chef.
His Queenstown operation, which will be based in the Ngai Tahu complex in the former Post Office building on Ballarat St, will showcase his talents, along with Queenstown business woman Fleur Caulton.
Ms Caulton launched Solera Restaurant in Queenstown when she was 21 years old and was most recently Amisfield Wine Company's general manager, a position she held since the business opened in 2003.
The pair had worked together on several events in the past couple of years and decided to team up together professionally, she said.
The idea for Rata - named after "New Zealand's iron-hearted trees" - had been in the pipeline for a while, but work only began seriously after Christmas.
The restaurant, which will employ about 30 people and have capacity for 80, was intentionally located in a "discreet" spot, which benefited from "amazing sun", good shelter, and an outdoor dining area.
Rata is due to open in Queenstown on May 4.
