Chef Emma Parker
Private Chef In Nelson
Get to know me better
I am an energetic, creative, enthusiastic chef who loves to meet new people. I have a passion for food and travel and sharing passion through food.
I am a professional chef originally from Christchurch with 11 years experience cooking worldwide. I started my culinary journey with 2 years full time study of a Diploma in Culinary Arts at CPIT(now ARA) college in Christchurch in 2006.
I have spent the last 5 years travelling all over the world on private yachts and learning many different cuisines.
My most recent job i was Sous Chef at Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown.
Matakauri Lodge is a 16 room luxury lodge owned by the Robertson family. The smallest of the three lodges and is affiliated to the Relais & Châteaux group.
Menus are designed daily with both for Degustation or A La Carte options presented. The company policy is to ensure that guests are not to be presented with the same dish twice during their stay at any of the three properties.
The new four bedroom Owners Cottage provides private dining for up to 8 guests.
Offsite diners are welcome and are offered a 5 course degustation menu.
Before rejoining the team at Matakauri i was onboard a private yacht for Tommy Hilfiger as his private chef.
The boat itself is 62m and we catered for up to 12 of his closest family and friends.
When Mr Hilfiger wasn't onboard we chartered out to guests, while also cooking for 17 crew members.
I spent 4 years working for Mr Hilfiger and travelling with the boat in the Mediterranean & Caribbean,
I loved getting fresh produce from small local places we would stop at and learning the local cuisine.
Before leaving for overseas i previously worked at Matakauri Lodge as their pastry and throughly enjoy the sweeter side of cooking.
I am very well rounded with my knowledge in the kitchen and never shy away from new challenges.
I love to share what i have learnt and tasted over the years of being lucky enough to go to many different countries.
More about me
For me, cooking is...
My passion. There i nothing else i would rather be doing as a career. I love everything about it. Cooking is a way of bringing people together.
I learned to cook at...
Christchurch CPIT, followed by fine dining restaurant in Crowne Plaza Hotel( before the earthquake)
A cooking secret...
Staying calm, enjoying every ingredient and enjoying the cooking itself!
Book your experience with Chef Emma
Specify the details of your requests and the chef will send you a custom menu just for you.
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