– Testimonials –

We feel priviledged to write a referral for someone of Brendan Downer’s calibre and expertise. Brendan has been working for our family for the past 18 months during holidays and long weekends at our holiday home in Queenstown. Brendan is a pleasure to have around and is always very professional and discreet turning out a variety of different dishes and international fare with flair , ease and confidence. At times we can have a high number of guests varying from 5 – 30 people (sometimes at very short notice) and this is taken in Brendan’s stride with his relaxed and unruffled nature. We have 3 young children, so naturally our home can be filled with young ones. Brendan is totally at ease with children and caters for them in a very simple, no-fuss manner. We look forward to a long working relationship with Brendan.

Russell and Jenny Coutts
Queenstown

Chef Brendan donated an Italian dinner for 6 at a recent auction to raise funds for a local pre-schooler with cancer. We won the auction and enjoyed an amazing night in our home, dining on 5 delicious courses of beautifully presented food! Chef Brendan is a professional, talented chef who we enjoyed having in our home. He is easy-going, knowledgeable and genuinely excited about good food and delivering a quality service. These attributes made for an experience we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others. After being wowed by his food, we were equally excited to find the kitchen spotless when he finished!

Tony Balfour and Sarah Bultitude
Queenstown

“Chef Brendan has ‘worked his magic’ for us at our ‘Wild Hare Pinot Noir’ harvest luncheons. We have high expectations for our wine/food pairings, his menus are always perfect for the occasion with his beautifully stylish presentation. Chef Brendan has a personality that keeps things fun and relaxed in the kitchen he is a popular addition to any entertaining we do”.

Terry and Susan Stevens
Wild Hare Pinot Noir, Gibbston Valley

“We would recommend (and have done already) Chef Brendan’s services to anyone and everyone. We loved the dinner you prepared for us to celebrate Dennis’ 60th Birthday, so simple and enjoyable with absolutely no fuss. The meal was exceptional, each course a delight. One day we would like to do it all over again. Thanks Brendan”

Dayle Bygrave
Seneca Ltd, Parnell, Auckland

“Chef Brendan has worked as a private chef for my daughter for 18 months in her home in Queenstown. He is a true master of his trade, very professional but at the same time has a wonderfully calm, happy manner, and remains totally unfazed in difficult situations. We have enjoyed many beautiful meals at their home, Chef Brendan prepared a magnificent celebration banquet for my 50th wedding anniversary, plus catering for 22 in-house guests over a four day period and a delicious five course meal for 18 people on my ’special’ birthday. A great favourite with children too both for his interaction with them and of course for the meals he prepares. I would thoroughly recommend Chef Brendan in any catering capacity.”

Joanna & Peter Little
Auckland

“Chef Brendan catered for my husband’s surprise 40th birthday party at the Arrow Boutique Hotel, the majority of our 80 guests work in the food and beverage industry. Chef Brendan provides excellent food which more than satisfies, he is a total professional at the same time as being engaging and helpful with guests. He has a “no problem, can do” attitude, is a dream to work with, and yes I would definitely use him again!”

Melissa Stadler
Surreal Bar & Restaurant Queenstown

“The Gibbston Valley Winery crew celebrated their 2012 harvest recently, with a superb five course food extravaganza created by Chef Brendan. The flavours, textures, and aromas of each dish reflected his thoughtfulness and individuality in his menu creation that most importantly, complimented a wide variety of wines. Chef Brendan was entertaining, at ease, and friendly in his interaction with us. We are salivating at the opportunity to have Chef Brendan personalise our next foodie interlude!”

Sascha Herbert
Winemaker – Gibbston Valley Wines

“Chef Brendan created the ‘showcase’ dishes we used in the very successful exhibition film that I wrote and directed for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, for use in ‘The Cloud’ during Rugby World Cup 2011. Chef Brendan was a pleasure to collaborate with his food was excellent -showcasing New Zealand’s premium ingredients. A large film shoot at night is a pressure-cooker environment and Chef Brendan handled it with aplomb. I would gladly work with him again.” A 2-min cut down of the 8-min film can be viewed at the link below:

Brendan Donovan
writer/director, “We Do Things Differently”

“Chef Brendan caters for our Wanaka Wine Tours bespoke dinner and cruise wine-tasting tour, for corporate clients and intimate groups on board a luxury catamaran on Lake Wanaka. Chef Brendan is the perfect choice; he works with our guest winemaker to carefully match their wines with his high quality, imaginative and delicious cuisine, which consistently receives high praise from our clients.”

Scott Thoroughgood.
Wanaka Wine Tours