Private Chef & Catering Services in Central Otago
Looking for a private chef in Central Otago? Planning a special celebration, corporate event, long lunch, family gathering or holiday experience?
Here are some of the questions we’re asked most often.
If your question isn’t covered below, please get in touch. We’d love to hear what you’re planning.
Contents
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Booking & Planning
How do I book a private chef in Central Otago and what's included?
How do I book a private chef or catering service in Central Otago?
Booking is easy.
Simply get in touch via our website or email and tell us a little about your event, including:
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Date
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Location
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Number of guests
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Type of event
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Any dietary requirements
From there, we’ll recommend the most suitable style of dining and provide a tailored quote.
The Kitchen Garden caters throughout Central Otago, including Bannockburn, Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Wānaka, Queenstown and surrounding areas.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as possible, particularly for summer, long weekends, Christmas functions and peak holiday periods.
For smaller private dining experiences, we can sometimes accommodate bookings at shorter notice depending on availability.
If you’ve got a date in mind, it’s always worth getting in touch.
What information do you need to provide a quote?
Usually just a few key details:
· Guest numbers
· Venue or location
· Preferred dining style
· Event date
· Dietary requirements
Don’t worry if you haven’t figured everything out yet. We’re happy to help guide you towards the most suitable option.
Do you travel throughout Central Otago?
Yes. The Kitchen Garden caters throughout Central Otago, including Bannockburn, Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Wānaka, Queenstown and surrounding areas.
Many of our events take place in private homes, holiday accommodation, vineyards, event venues and unique locations throughout the region.
Travel requirements are discussed during the quotation process and are always clearly communicated.
Private Chef Experiences FAQ's
Curious about what it's like to hire a private chef? From intimate dinners to long lunches and bespoke dining experiences, here's how it all works.
What is the difference between a private chef and traditional catering?
A private chef experience is much more personal than traditional catering.
Rather than simply providing food, we create a tailored menu, prepare everything on-site, serve your guests and manage the entire food experience from start to finish. We include menu planning and table styling for all private chef experiences.
Down to the detail: if you have specific flavours you enjoy, specific wine you’re looking to pair with your meal. We can make it all happen.
Think restaurant-quality dining in the comfort of your own home, holiday accommodation or chosen venue. You don’t have to lift a finger, so you can raise a glass instead.
What is included in a private chef experience?
Every private chef experience with The Kitchen Garden is bespoke, but typically includes a fully designed seasonal menu, all ingredients sourced and prepared by Gabi, on-site cooking and presentation, service throughout your event, table styling and set up, dietary planning, and collaboration with your venue or event team where required.
From the moment your guests arrive until the final dishes are cleared, we take care of the food experience from start to finish, allowing you to relax and enjoy your event.
We’ll talk through exactly what’s included when we put your proposal together.
What other dining experiences do you offer?
We offer a range of dining styles depending on the occasion, including:
· Family Style Dining
· Banquet Dining
· Walk & Fork Experiences
· Petit Four Menus
· Chef’s Table Experiences
· Bespoke Multi-Course Dining
· Long Lunches
· Seasonal Dining Experiences
Click here to find out more. Not sure which style suits your event? That’s completely normal. We’ll help you choose the best option based on your guests, venue and occasion.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
Absolutely.
We regularly cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and allergy-friendly requirements. I am a coeliac myself, so I understand the importance of dietary requirements.
Food should bring people together, not leave anyone feeling like an afterthought.
Where do you source your ingredients?
Whenever possible, I use seasonal ingredients from my very own Bannockburn garden.
Other ingredients are carefully sourced from Central Otago growers, producers and suppliers where possible. We also work with other suppliers throughout the South Island of New Zealand.
The seasons heavily influence my menus and are a big part of what makes each event unique.
Click here to explore our current seasonal sample menu.
Private Chef Pricing
Every event is unique, but these questions will help you understand how private chef pricing works and what factors can influence your quote.
How much does it cost to hire a private chef?
Every event is different, but as a guide:
Bespoke Chef Experience 3 chef bites, plated entrée, plated main and plated dessert From $250 + GST per person
Every event is quoted individually to ensure the menu, service and staffing suit your occasion.
Things to consider: as well as a completely unique experience, it provides ease: no restaurant bookings, no Ubers or taxis, no designated driver required. We bring the luxury dining experience right to your home or holiday home.
What factors affect the cost of a private chef experience?
Several factors contribute to the overall cost, including:
• Number of guests
• Menu complexity
• Length of service
• Location
• Travel requirements
• Equipment requirements
• Additional chefs or front-of-house staff
For some events, additional chefs and service staff may be required to deliver the experience to the standard we expect.
These requirements are discussed and quoted during the planning process, so there are never any surprises.
Is there a minimum spend?
We don’t operate with a fixed minimum spend because every event is unique.
Pricing depends on guest numbers, service style and event requirements.
We’ll always recommend the most suitable option and provide a tailored quote.
Are travel costs included?
Travel within Cromwell and Bannockburn is generally included in our pricing.
For events elsewhere in Central Otago, including Wānaka, Queenstown and more remote locations, a travel component may apply. This will always be clearly outlined in your quote.
Catering & Events
From family celebrations and winery lunches to weddings and special occasions, discover the types of events we cater and how we can help bring people together around great food.
What types of events do you cater for?
We cater for a wide range of events throughout Central Otago, including:
• Private dining experiences
• Family celebrations
• Birthday parties
• Anniversary dinners
• Winery lunches
• Retreats
• Workshops
• Christmas functions
• Seasonal gatherings
• Special occasions
• Harvest catering
If food is bringing people together, we’d love to hear about it.
What service styles do you offer?
Not everyone wants a sit-down meal. More and more people are choosing less formal, flowing dining options that allow more social connection throughout the dining experience.
We offer plenty of creative options to suit all groups and occasions, with canapés starting from $18.50+GST (for 3 x canapés per person) and show-stopping Grazing Tables from $34.50 per person.
Walk & Fork Dining - From $55 + GST per person
Banquet Dining - 2 proteins, 3 sides and dessert - From $75 + GST per person
Family Style Dining - 2 entree share plates, 2 proteins, 3 sides & 1 plated dessert – From $170+GST per person
Alongside our bespoke Private Chef Service starting at $250+GST per person
Explore our services to see all the options.
Do you cater weddings?
Yes, however, we are selective about the weddings we take on.
The Kitchen Garden only caters for weddings where a dedicated wedding planner or event coordinator is involved throughout the planning process and present on the day itself.
This ensures the event runs smoothly for everyone involved and allows our team to focus entirely on delivering exceptional food and hospitality.
We regularly work alongside trusted local professionals, including Hannah Lind (based in Central Otago) and Tres Gold Weddings (based in Wanaka) and are always happy to discuss whether we’re the right fit for your celebration.
Please note: we do not take on weddings where there is no event coordinator involved.
Do you cater corporate events?
Absolutely.
We provide corporate catering throughout Central Otago, including team lunches, workshops, conferences, networking events, retreats, product launches and client functions.
The Kitchen Garden caters throughout Central Otago, including Bannockburn, Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Wānaka, Queenstown and surrounding areas.
Menus are tailored to suit your event, budget and dietary requirements.
How many guests can you cater for?
From intimate dinners for two through to larger celebrations and events of 100+ people.
The best catering style often depends less on guest numbers and more on the experience you’re hoping to create.
Can catering be delivered?
Yes. We offer a range of delivered catering options seasonally, including; platters, brunch boxes, seasonal salads, grazing options and occasion-specific catering throughout the year. You can explore if there are delivered options on offer here.
The only year-round catering option we offer delivered to your door is our platter boards and boxes delivered.
Delivered catering is ideal for meetings, celebrations and entertaining.
Corporate Catering
Fresh, seasonal catering designed to keep teams fuelled, connected and well looked after. Here are some of the most common questions about our corporate catering services.
What corporate catering options do you offer?
We regularly cater:
• Team lunches
• Workshops
• Conferences
• Networking events
• Client functions
• Retreats
• Product launches
• Staff celebrations
Our focus is on fresh, seasonal food that feels generous, professional and enjoyable to eat.
You can read more about our Corporate Catering options here.
How much does corporate catering cost?
Corporate catering starts from approximately $40 + GST per person.
Morning and afternoon tea options start from approximately $15.50 + GST per person and typically include a combination of sweet and savoury options.
Every event is quoted individually based on your requirements.
Can you cater multi-day retreats and workshops?
Absolutely.
We regularly work with yoga and pilates groups for one-off events, retreat organisers and businesses requiring catering over multiple days.
This may include breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, grazing options and evening dining experiences.
How much notice do you require?
As much notice as possible is always appreciated, particularly during busy periods.
Ideally, we need at least 2-3 weeks to plan your menu and ensure we can get our hands on the best possible produce for your experience.
However, we understand opportunities can arise quickly, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate shorter lead times where availability allows.
Platters, Grazing Tables & Seasonal Options
Looking for platters, brunch boxes, grazing options or seasonal catering? Explore some of our most popular offerings available throughout the year.
What platter options are available?
Platters are one of the easiest ways to elevate a gathering.
Our platters are beautifully presented and designed to impress.
Options may include:
• Cheese and charcuterie platters
• Seasonal grazing platters
• Brunch platters
• Corporate platters
• Canapé platters
• Social sharing platters
Platters start from approximately $140 - you can explore our platter boards and boxes here.
Do you offer grazing tables?
Yes. Grazing tables are a popular option for celebrations, corporate events and casual entertaining.
They start from approximately $34.50 + GST per person and are styled to suit the occasion.
You can read more about them here.
What brunch options do you offer?
Brunch is one of our favourite things to create.
Options include:
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Brunch Boxes
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Brunch Tables
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Corporate Brunch Catering
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Celebration Brunches
Brunch Boxes start from approximately $35 + GST per person.
What seasonal offerings do you run?
Seasonality sits at the heart of The Kitchen Garden.
Throughout the year, we offer a range of seasonal products and experiences including:
• Mother’s Day Brunch Boxes
• Father’s Day Brunch Boxes
• Winter Taster Menus
• Christmas Catering Collections
• Seasonal Platters
• Festive Desserts and Salads
• Limited Edition Dining Experiences
The best way to stay up to date is by joining our newsletter.
Do you cater Christmas and special occasions?
Absolutely. But in our own well. We offer Christmas Dessert, Salads, Platters and Gifting options delivered, and also cater for Christmas parties in the run-up to Christmas.
Christmas is one of our busiest times of year, with festive catering, entertaining platters, seasonal salads and desserts available throughout December. So if you are looking for catering at this time of year, it is important to book early (ideally by September).
We also cater birthdays, anniversaries, family celebrations and milestone occasions throughout the year.
What other catering services does The Kitchen Garden offer?
Alongside our private chef experiences, we also offer:
• Canapés
• Walk & Fork Menus
• Banquet Dining
• Corporate Catering
• Grazing Tables
• Brunch Boxes
• Morning and Afternoon Tea Catering
• Platters
• Seasonal Catering Collections
• Chef’s Table Experiences
If you’re not sure which option is right for your event, we’re happy to make recommendations.
Why Choose The Kitchen Garden?
Food is about more than what's on the plate. Learn a little more about our approach to hospitality, seasonal ingredients and creating memorable experiences around the table.
What makes The Kitchen Garden different?
The Kitchen Garden is intentionally personal.
You’re not dealing with a large catering company, call centre or production kitchen.
You’re working directly with Gabi.
Every menu is thoughtfully designed around the season, the occasion and the people gathering around the table.
Whether it’s a private dining experience in a holiday home, a corporate lunch, a family celebration or a special event, our goal is always the same:
To create food worth gathering around.
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