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
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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Fish Tartlet, Citrus & Ají Amarillo Crispy mini tart shell, diced kingfish, lime, shallot, olive oil
Oyster, shallots dressing
Mussels, chalaquita and coriander
Tuna Crudo, Citrus & Olive Oil
Grilled Prawns, Garlic & Herbs Charred prawns, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, chilli, corn puree
Seared Scallops & Cauliflower Purée Golden scallops, silky cauliflower, toasted almonds, brown butter
Market Fish, Saffron & Shellfish Broth Pan-seared fish, mussels, clams, saffron broth, fennel, herbs
Seafood Risotto, Lemon & Herbs Prawns, calamari, fish, creamy risotto, lemon, parsley
Grilled Octopus, Potato & Olive Charred octopus, crispy potatoes, olive tapenade, greens
Lemon & Olive Oil Cake Soft cake, yoghurt cream, honey, zest
Vanilla Panna Cotta, Silky panna cotta, berry compote, vanilla tuille
Dark Chocolate, Olive Oil & Sea Salt Chocolate mousse, olive oil, sea salt, almond crumble
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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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Yoghurt and homemade granola
Seasonal fruit platter
Egg Benedict with salmon or bacon
Avocado toast, hummus, grilled asparagus and pistachio dukkha (vegan)
French toast brioche, blueberry gel, mascarpone cream, fruit compote
Porridge, caramelised banana, fresh berries, maple syrap (vegan)
Portobello mushroom, capsicum coulis, avocado, spinach on toast (vegan)
Portobello mushroom, spinach, prosciutto, poached eggs, capsicum coulis on toast
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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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Chef Emily's reviews
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