Nestled high above the sparkling waters of Lake Wakatipu, Jeremy and Josafa’s wedding at 14 Florence Close was nothing short of magical. With panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains, this luxury Queenstown villa provided the perfect backdrop for an intimate and elegant celebration.

As their private chef in Queenstown, I curated a bespoke dining experience to match the occasion — beginning with champagne and handcrafted canapés on arrival, enjoyed on the sun-drenched terrace. Guests were then treated to a three-course fine dining dinner, thoughtfully designed using the best local and seasonal ingredients from the Otago region. Every detail, from the menu to the service, was crafted to elevate this special day into an unforgettable culinary journey.

Welcome to the private dining experience offered by Queenstown Private Chef, led by Executive Chef Thomas Barta , a culinary craftsman with over two decades of experience across Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, and hatted kitchens around the world and in New Zealand .

Jeremy and Josafa were an absolute pleasure to work with. From our first consultation, they had a clear vision for their dream wedding menu. They shared thoughtful ideas about the flavours and dishes they wanted, and together we created a bespoke wedding dining experience that was personal, elegant, and unforgettable.

Hosted at a luxury villa on 14 Florence Close, with panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu, the setting was perfect for an exclusive Queenstown private chef wedding. The evening began with chilled champagne and an assortment of handcrafted canapés, served alfresco on the sun-soaked terrace. Guests enjoyed favourites like smoked salmon blinis, wild mushroom and truffle arancini, beef tartare on toasted baguette, and Korean fried chicken bites with gochujang glaze — a bold and flavourful introduction to the evening.

This was followed by a refined three-course fine dining dinner. Entrées included blue cod and tiger prawn raviolo in a fragrant coconut and lemongrass bisque, and confit pork belly with apple-celeriac purée and remoulade. For mains, we served slow-roasted Royalburn lamb shoulder with rosemary and pinot jus, accompanied by triple-cooked duck fat potatoes, chipotle aioli, parmesan, and seasonal greens.

To finish, we presented the couple with a beautifully crafted red velvet wedding cake, made in-house with love  a sweet finale to an unforgettable Queenstown wedding experience.

If you’re planning a wedding or private event in the area, I’d be honoured to help bring your vision to life with a tailored menu and professional private chef service. Learn more about our Queenstown wedding catering services or get in touch to start planning.

Bringing a wedding menu to life takes more than great ingredients — it’s about planning, precision, and creating a relaxed, seamless experience for the couple and their guests. For Jeremy and Josafa’s wedding, we prepared much of the menu in advance in our professional kitchen, ensuring every component was ready to perfection before the big day.

On the day of the wedding, everything was brought to the villa ready to go, with the final touches — roasting, assembling, and plating each course — executed on-site to guarantee absolute freshness and impeccable presentation. From the delicate hand-folded blue cod and tiger prawn ravioli to the slow-roasted Royalburn lamb shoulder, every dish was crafted with care and attention to detail.

As a Queenstown private chef, my aim is to make each event stress-free, ensuring the couple and their guests can simply relax and enjoy the experience. Cooking and serving in such a stunning villa with views over Lake Wakatipu created the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience.

No two couples are the same , and your wedding dining experience shouldn’t be either. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement, a lakeside ceremony, or a luxury villa reception, Queenstown Private Chef offers a range of customisable catering options designed to match your taste, style, and vision.

From elegant degustation dinners to shared-style feasts, canapé and champagne receptions, and indulgent dessert tables or wedding cakes, each experience is crafted with care and creativity , using the finest seasonal ingredients from across the region.

Choose from tailored wedding dining styles such as:

• Fine Dining Degustation (3–5 Courses): An intimate, plated dining experience featuring seasonal produce and refined technique. Each course is thoughtfully balanced, beautifully presented, and designed to celebrate your story.

• Shared-Style Family Dining: A more relaxed and social approach , abundant platters, passed dishes, and wholesome flavours that invite conversation and connection at the table.

• Canapé & Champagne Receptions: Perfect for welcoming guests or starting your celebration with style. An elegant assortment of handcrafted small bites, designed to pair beautifully with bubbles and conversation.

• Cake & Dessert Feast Tables: From elegant wedding cakes to playful dessert grazing tables, we’ll work with you to create a sweet finale that looks as good as it tastes.

Whether you’re celebrating for one night or across an entire weekend, each menu is uniquely created to reflect your preferences and elevate your special day.

How do I hire a private chef in Queenstown?
Simply visit queenstownprivatechef.com, choose your preferred date and menu style, and submit a booking request. Chef Thomas will be in touch to tailor the menu to your preferences.

Can a private chef come to my Airbnb in Queenstown?
Absolutely. Queenstown Private Chef specialises in delivering luxury dining experiences in Airbnb and holiday rental properties throughout the region.

What kind of food can we expect?
Expect a seasonal, New Zealand-focused menu tailored to your tastes. From fine dining degustation to hearty shared meals, every dish is prepared with restaurant-level precision and style.

Do you cater for dietary restrictions?
Yes — dietary preferences, allergies, and special requests are always accommodated. Just let us know in advance.

What’s included in the private chef service?
All ingredients, equipment, prep, cooking, service, and clean-down are taken care of. You simply relax and enjoy.

How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance, especially during peak travel seasons in Queenstown.