The Fieldays Kitchen has always been one of the best-loved parts of the event - and this year will be no exception. We have some of New Zealand's most renowned chefs cooking up a storm on Fieldays TV including Simon Gault, Kārena and Kasey Bird, Nic Watt, Nici Wickes, Michael Van De Elzen and Ben Bayly. They've prepared some exclusive recipes for you, utilising some of the finest local produce. Enjoy!
The Chefs
Ben Bayly
Ben is highly regarded in the industry with a lengthy history of accolades reflective of his quality and passion for New Zealand’s food culture.
As well as a successful television career, Ben has a diverse hospitality portfolio.
From his flagship New Zealand-focused restaurant, Ahi in downtown Auckland as well as the The Grounds, a family and events focused venue in the beautiful Waitakere’s to successful ventures in Arrowtown; the modern Italian AOSTA, the Asian fusion FanTan & The Blue Door Bar.
Kārena and Kasey Bird
Kārena and Kasey Bird are sisters who grew up in the beach side community of Maketu, where they currently reside. They are fluent speakers of Māori language and their cooking style is firmly rooted in their unique cultural heritage.
Food has always been a passion for Kārena and Kasey; they have spent a huge amount of time investing in food experiences and building their culinary knowledge. In May 2014, Kārena and Kasey were announced the winners of Master Chef New Zealand.
Since winning Masterchef, they have travelled to over 50 destinations across the globe learning about food and culture whilst also being involved with a number of food events and activations throughout New Zealand. Other career highlights include being the food editors for Mana magazine,food contributors for the Herald on Sunday and they have also self-published two award winning cookbooks “For the Love of...” & “Hungry”.
Michael Van de Elzen
Michael Van de Elzen is one of New Zealand’s most loved chefs having starred on a number of television shows, most recently TVNZ’s Eat Well for Less New Zealand. He started a career in the food industry at the tender age of 14, working in some of Auckland’s and London’s landmark restaurants, while owning several of his own over the years. Michael is passionate about healthy food, and with his wife, Bee, opened the Good From Scratch Cookery School on their lifestyle block in Muriwai in 2020.
Nic Watt
One of New Zealand’s leading internationally-acclaimed chefs, Nic Watt’s career has gone from strength to strength. With a background working with international restaurant groups Zuma and Roka, Nic Watt has made a name for himself in New Zealand following the success of celebrated Auckland restaurant, MASU, as well as multiple other restaurants.
Now Nic has partnered with the Royal Akarana Yacht Club at the Hyundai Marine Sports Centre on the shores of Okahu Bay in the City of Sails to open Akarana Eatery.
“I have endeavoured to bring my food philosophy strongly to the table at Akarana Eatery to ensure that every dish is stand alone, packed with flavour, always focusing on enhancing the natural essence of the hero ingredient and allowing the food to speak for itself.”
Nici Wickes
Nici Wickes is a food and cooking enthusiast! A published cookbook author, entertainer, broadcaster, food stylist, recipe developer and food editor she’s all about no-fuss, confidence-building cooking; “I just love showing others how easy it is to cook something absolutely amazing.”
Born in New Zealand and growing up in a large family, Nici was cooking as soon as she could reach the bench top and never stopped . Her hugely popular TV series World Kitchen saw her travel the world seeking great food and the people who grow, cook and eat it.
Five seasons of World Kitchen, two cookbooks (World Kitchen & Cook Eat Enjoy), six years as food editor for Viva (NZ Herald), five years charged with creating, testing and styling over 200 recipes each year for New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, too many stage appearances and cooking demonstrations in NZ and internationally to keep count of… and she still finds cooking fun!
Simon Gault
Simon is a chef and restaurateur who has worked both in New Zealand and internationally at a vast array of establishments including Leiths restaurant in London and at the prestigious, Michelin-starred Thornbury Castle. He is former Executive Chef of New Zealand’s multi award-winning Nourish Group.
An award winner, Simon has won the New Zealand Restaurant Association Innovator of the Year Award, the Lewisham Awards, Chef of the Year and Outstanding Hospitality Personality of the Year and has been inducted into the New Zealand Restaurant Association Hall of Fame.
His entrepreneurial spirit has extended to him releasing a range of homewares and supermarket products that currently include flavoursome stocks and seasonings.
Sharing his enthusiasm for food and getting people excited about cooking is central to Simon’s ethos.
View the recipes
Nici Wickes - Seafood soup
Check out the recipe for Nici Wickes' delicious Seafood soup.
Simon Gault - Kiwi Roast Chicken
Simon Gault shows us step by step how to prepare his famous Kiwi Roast Chicken encasing Forbidden Mushroom Stuffing with Gravy.
Nic Watt - Chicken liver pâté
Join Nic Watt preparing his famous chicken liver pâté, rye waffle with merlot poached pear, thyme and pistachio
Nic Watt - Wood roasted pork chop
Join Nic Watt as he prepares a scrumptious wood roasted pork chop with apple, pinenut and parsley salsa
Kārena and Kasey Bird - Chocolate feijoa brownies
Join Kārena and Kasey as they create mouth-watering chocolate feijoa brownies
Michael Van de Elzen - Braised beef shin pappardelle
Michael shares his recipe for Braised beef shin pappardelle with us
Simon Gault - Roast Eye Fillet
Join Simon and watch how he creates a delicious roast eye fillet on a chickpea fritter with a bell pepper salsa and Moroccan sauce
