After cooking for some of the heavy-hitters of the United States music industry, South Island-born Chris Whiting is back on the mainland, as head chef at award-winning "country chic" restaurant and cellar door The Winehouse, at Gibbston.
Mr Whiting has spent several years working in top establishments in Europe, on luxury yachts as a private chef and, for the past five summers, as a personal chef for the RCA Records president in New York - which involved some "fascinating" evenings cooking for the big names of the United States music industry, senators and heads of state, including a "certain president of the United States".
The Winehouse owner Henry van Asch said Mr Whiting was a "fantastic addition" to the team.
"He brings a fresh international outlook, which will combine well with our style of relaxed dining and seasonal, locally-sourced produce.
"Chris and Ben Owens (ex Grind Cafe), the new restaurant manager, will make a formidable team," Mr van Asch said.
The Winehouse would now be open for lunch throughout winter, seven days a week.
• To celebrate the new team, and the release of Mr Whiting's new menu, The Winehouse will be hosting a dinner party on June 1. Bookings are essential.
