Chef Emily Vasquez
Chef At Home in Waiheke Island
Get to know me better
I bring passion and creativity to every meal, crafting unforgettable, personalized dining experiences with fresh and local ingredients.
I consider myself a culinary artist. With over 15 years of experience, I have brought passion and a playful twist to the kitchen. I love creating personalized dining experiences that transform meals into celebrations. My inventive approach blends fresh, local ingredients with a dash of creativity, ensuring that every dish is both delicious and memorable. Whether crafting an intimate dinner or a festive party spread, I infuse fun and flair into every culinary creation. With a warm personality and a knack for making food both exciting and enjoyable, I can turn each meal into an unforgettable feast.

More about me
For me, cooking is...
A joyful art, blending flavors and creativity to craft memorable and delightful meals.
I learned to cook at...
A culinary school back in my country Perú and I have worked in many restaurants there and here in NZ.
A cooking secret...
is infusing every dish with love and creativity.
My menus
Caramelised scallops with coral butter emulsion, coriander oil, and delicate microgreens
Lightly seared Wagyu beef, Peruvian-style ponzu, spring onion threads, toasted quinoa–sesame pops
Charred lamb lollipop, silky butternut purée, fresh chimichurri
Butter-poached lobster tail, saffron beurre blanc, zucchini & pea roulade
Mixed berry panna cotta, nut crumble, crisp chocolate tuile
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Arancini al Tartufo – Crispy risotto balls stuffed with truffle-infused cheese (vegetarian)
Bruschetta al Pomodoro – Tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil (vegetarian)
Insalata Caprese – Mozzarella di bufala with heirloom tomatoes (vegetarian)
Burrata con Prosciutto e Fichi – Burrata with prosciutto and figs
Pollo alla Toscana – Tuscan-style chicken with olives and rosemary
Pappardelle al Ragù di Cinghiale – Pasta ribbons with slow-cooked ragù
Veggie skewers with chimichurri (vegetarian)
Branzino al Limone e Erbe – Mediterranean sea bass with lemon and capers
Tiramisu Classico – Classic Italian tiramisu with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone
Cannoli Siciliani – Crispy cannoli shells filled with ricotta and chocolate chips
Panna Cotta ai Frutti di Bosco – Silky panna cotta with mixed berry compote
Pistacchio cheesecake with berry compote
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Te Matuku Bay Ouster with shallots vinaigrette
Crispy crust parmesan scallops on its shell
Mini leeks and goat cheese tarts (vegetarian)
Miso-Roasted Eggplant with Sesame & Pomegranate (vegetarian)
Snapper ceviche with red onion corn and kumara
Roasted carrot, ginger and cumin soup with creme fraiche (vegetarian)
Mushroom ceviche, marinated in zesty leche de tigre with an spicy touch
Spring vegetable terrine with goat cheese, edible flowers, and Waiheke olive oil. (vegetarian)
Local market fish al horno, herb and pistachio crust, citrus beurre blanc
Corn-fed chicken breast with local mushrooms, shallot jus and herb butter
Roasted lamb rump with minted broad beans, courgette ribbons, and a rosemary jus
Chimichurri-Marinated portobello mushroom with Truffle Polenta & Grilled Zucchini (vegetarian)
Pavlova with kiwifruit, passionfruit, and lemon balm
Salted caramel mousse with almond crumble and roasted pear
Pistacchio cheesecake with berry compote
Vibrant and fresh seasonal fruit custard tart
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Seared tuna cube with wasabi crème
Fresh oysters with cucumber & lime granita
Zucchini blossom tempura with ricotta (vegetarian)
Burrata with roasted peppers and basil oil (vegetarian)
Tuna tartare with wasabi avocado cream
Fish crudo with vinaigrette
Mushroom ceviche with leche de tigre (vegetarian)
Roasted pumpkin & coconut soup (vegetarian)
Pan-fried snapper with fennel and Sauvignon Blanc beurre blanc
Miso-marinated chicken thighs with honey glaze
Green curry risotto with Asian short ribs
Smoked cauliflower steak with chimichurri (vegetarian)
Kaffir lime & lemongrass panna cotta with mango caramel
Chocolate fondant with espresso cream
Lucuma mousse
Poached peaches in elderflower syrup
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Seared tuna cube with wasabi crème, sesame, and pickled radish on a crisp lotus chip
Fresh oyster with cucumber & lime granita, topped with micro shiso
Zucchini blossom tempura with ricotta & lemon zest (vegetarian)
Burrata with Roasted Peppers, Basil Oil & Grilled Sourdough (vegetarian)
Tuna tartare with avocado, cucumber, citrus caviar pearls, and sesame cracker
Seared scallops with cauliflower cream, green oil and lemon pangrattati
Roasted Pumpkin & Coconut Soup with toasted pepitas (vegetarian)
Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci – Handmade ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, topped with sage butter (vegetarian)
Pan-fried snapper with asparagus, fennel, baby potatoes, and a Sauvignon Blanc beurre blanc
Duck breast or Beef fillet with cherry glaze, baby carrots, and parsnip purée
Biancostato con Purè di Patate – Braised short ribs with creamy mashed potatoes
Smoked cauliflower steak topped with chimichurri sauce over butternut puree (vegetarian)
Chocolate fondant with espresso cream and berry coulis
Tortino al Cioccolato con Cuore Fondente
Kaffir lime and lemongrass infused coconut pannacotta with mango caramel
Rose & Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake
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Burrata con Prosciutto e Fichi – Burrata with prosciutto and figs
Seared tuna cube with wasabi crème
Zucchini blossom tempura with ricotta (vegetarian)
Miso-Roasted Eggplant with Sesame & Pomegranate (vegetarian)
Tuna tartare with citrus pearls and sesame cracker
Risotto ai Frutti di Mare – Creamy saffron-infused risotto with shrimp, mussels, and calamari
Roasted pumpkin & coconut soup (vegetarian)
Spring vegetable terrine with goat cheese (vegetarian)
Duck breast with cherry glaze and parsnip purée
Macho Fish with smoky seafood sauce
Biancostato – braised short ribs with mashed potatoes
Chimichurri-marinated portobello mushroom with truffle polenta (vegetarian)
Kaffir lime & lemongrass panna cotta with mango caramel
Rose & Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake
Salted caramel mousse with roasted pear
Chocolate fondant with espresso cream
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Seared tuna cube with wasabi crème on lotus chip
Arancini al Tartufo (vegetarian)
Summer rolls with colourful veggies and dipping sauce (vegetarian option)
Crispy parmesan scallops
Green curry risotto with Asian-style short ribs
Chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto and mozzarella
Pan-fried snapper with fennel and beurre blanc
Smoked cauliflower steak with chimichurri (vegetarian)
Lucuma mousse
Pistachio cheesecake
Coconut & mango pannacota
Pavlova with kiwifruit and passionfruit
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Seared tuna cube with wasabi crème
Fresh oyster with cucumber & lime granita
Summer rolls (vegetarian option available)
Zucchini blossom tempura with ricotta & lemon zest (vegetarian)
Tuna tartare with citrus pearls and sesame cracker
Tonno Crudo con Pistacchi e Basilico
Spring vegetable terrine with goat cheese (vegetarian)
Seared scallops with pea purée and pancetta
Macho Fish – pan-seared fish in smoky aji panca seafood sauce
Local market fish with miso sauce, greens, truffle mash
Duck breast with cherry glaze and parsnip purée
Chimichurri-marinated portobello mushroom with truffle polenta (vegetarian)
Kaffir lime & lemongrass panna cotta with mango caramel
Rose & Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake
Chocolate fondant with berry coulis
Seasonal fruit custard tart
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Book your experience with Chef Emily
Specify the details of your requests and the chef will send you a custom menu just for you.







