Chef Profile

Maree Connolly - Executive Chef

Maree was born in Ashburton to a long line of wonderful cooks. Her childhood memories are crammed with the sights and smells of cooking, preserving and bottling as her family members prepared an abundance of foods to enjoy all year round.

With the freedom to incorporate her strong sense of passion, she draws on her childhood memories and experiences to create her menus. Family values and traditions have formed a strong foundation for Maree's cooking and when combined with her own unique touch, provide nurturing yet exciting food.

Maree was awarded a highly coveted 'New Zealand Beef and Lamb Ambassador' title – one of only a handful in New Zealand. Other career highlights include cooking for the late Sir Edmund Hillary's 80th birthday celebration, Chef to Sultan of Brunei when he was in NZ, coaching award-winning teams at the Auckland Culinary Fare, member of the Hospitality Standards Institute review committee governing the cooking standards for apprentice chefs, Winner of the best Wine and Food match at 25th anniversary Marlborough Wine Festival, cooking with Tetsuya Wakuda for Marlborough Hospice fundraising dinner; chef at 'chefs for good' dinner, Auckland for Anglican Trust for Children and Women.

Her reputation as one of the region's finest chefs comes solely from her experiences in the South Island, something she is justifiably proud of. Her total immersion in New Zealand food and its continual journey have fuelled her inspiration and ensured her position as one of the key influencers. Maree's passion is cooking and the pursuit of the perfect dish and her enthusiasm to this end is contagious and her mantra of food to 'feed the soul' is evident in evry dish she cooks.