A line art drawing of a dinner table set with various foods, drinks, and utensils, including bread, cheese, fruits, a plate with food, a container with a plant, and hands holding utensils.

PRIVATE CHEF, RECIPE DEVELOPER

Good food, made to be devoured and shared.

A woman with long dark hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera, sitting by a window, holding a glass of water, wearing a dark grey sweater and jewelry, in a cozy indoor setting.
The text 'Meet Madeline' in elegant cursive font on a black background.
Line art illustration of a human face with abstract, minimalistic features on a black background, created with continuous beige lines.

I’m a little obsessed with food — the kind of obsessed that has me thinking about the next meal before I’ve finished the last.

I'm a private chef and recipe developer based in Tauranga, working with clients across Aotearoa and internationally. I studied cuisine and pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, graduating with First Class Honours, before spending years cooking around the world — including on superyachts and for some very private, high-profile clients. While I'm land-based these days, my passport still gets a decent workout.

To me, food is connection, culture, creativity, and comfort. It brings people together, makes a house feel like home, transports you somewhere else, or just makes you feel really, really good.

My favourite part of the job isn't even the food — it's you. I'm interested not just in what you want to eat, but why: your preferences, routines, memories, and relationship with food. There's a psychology to feeding people well, and understanding that matters just as much as what happens in the kitchen. It's personal, and it makes cooking for people feel less like a job and more like getting to hang out and spoil someone with a bloody great meal.

Line drawing of a pizza with various toppings on a tray.
Black and white illustration of a pie on a stand, with one slice cut out.

My style is relaxed, elevated, and understated. Exceptional food, thoughtful service, and ingredients at their best: seasonal, local, and, wherever possible, sourced from the small producers behind them.

What I Offer

  • A platter of chickpea salad garnished with herbs and a bowl of watermelon, cucumber, and tomato salad on a wooden table.

    Private Chef

    A private chef experience shaped entirely around you. Whether it’s daily family meals, a weekend away, an intimate dinner or ongoing private chef support, I create food around the people I’m cooking for — their tastes, lifestyle and needs.

    Expect food that feels generous and familiar, but considered and elevated.

    CONTACT ME
  • A close-up of a dinner table set with various plates of food, including baked bread, a bean dish, and other meals. There are glasses of water, utensils, a striped napkin, and partially visible plates and hands of people dining.

    Bespoke Dining

    For occasions that call for something a little different. From intimate dinners and celebrations to destination dining and private events, menus are created from scratch around the occasion, the setting and the people at the table.

    Nothing is off-the-shelf. The aim is to create something memorable without it ever feeling overdone.

    CONTACT ME
  • A black pot on a white kitchen countertop with a wooden base, in front of a window with a view outside, and a bottle of oil or vinegar, a soap dispenser, and a kitchen sink faucet in the background.

    Recipe Development

    Thoughtful, original recipes developed with purpose. I work with individuals, brands and businesses to create recipes and food concepts that are intuitive, achievable and genuinely delicious — from initial ideas through to refined, tested recipes.

    My approach combines creativity with a strong understanding of how people actually cook, eat and connect with food.

    CONTACT ME
  • A tray of colorful tomato salad with lemon, basil, and herbs, a bowl of dark purple olives with sprigs of rosemary, and a roasted bread with herbs and seeds.

    International & Travel

    Tauranga is home, but the kitchen isn’t limited to one location. With experience working around the world and in highly private environments, I’m comfortable adapting to new places, people and expectations — wherever the table happens to be.

    CONTACT ME
Stylized green cursive text reads "The Processor."

  • Every client is different, so I start with a conversation rather than a package.

    Tell me about your lifestyle, the occasion, your preferences, your people and what you’re hoping to achieve. The more I understand, the more personal I can make the experience.

  • From there, I’ll build an approach around you.That might mean a tailored menu, ongoing private chef support, recipe development, a special occasion or something completely different.

    I’m happy to think outside the box. If you have an idea that doesn’t quite fit a conventional chef service, let’s talk about it.

  • Once we’ve settled on the direction, I take care of the food — from sourcing exceptional ingredients and developing the menu through to preparation and presentation.

    I work with seasonal produce, local suppliers and small businesses wherever possible, always prioritising quality.

  • The final result should feel effortless.

    Beautiful food, thoughtful service and no unnecessary noise around it. Whether I’m cooking for one person or a table full of guests, my job is to make sure you feel looked after.

Feeding the soul and body through tasty, inspiring dishes.

A glimpse of what could grace your table

A white plate filled with coated fried croquettes or similar round snacks dusted with powder, likely sugar or cinnamon, on a wooden surface.
A person serving cooked fish garnished with chopped herbs on a white plate with a blue rim at a wooden table, with various dishes and a glass of water in the background.
A table with mostly empty plates of remnants from a meal, mostly salad and leftover food, and several glasses of water. People are eating and cleaning up.
A table with mostly empty plates of remnants from a meal, mostly salad and leftover food, and several glasses of water. People are eating and cleaning up.
A white plate with eggs, chicken, black leafy greens, and potatoes on a white table, with a wooden chair in the background.
Kitchen counter with a dish of cooked chicken, a halved lime, a jar labeled 'Dr.' containing dried lemon slices, and various bottles and plants near a window.
A person pouring dressing or oil onto a salad with greens on a decorative orange plate on a white table. There are additional small bowls with other ingredients, such as shredded cheese and sunflower seeds. The background features wooden cabinets.
Person holding a large chocolate chip cookie, with more cookies on a cooling rack on a wooden table.
Hand holding a fork over a plate of vegetable salad on a wooden table, with a window and striped curtain in the background.
Slices of beef topped with crushed nuts and edible flowers, served with a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk, on a white plate.

Let's Eat · Contact Me ·

Let's Eat · Contact Me ·

If you’re looking for a private chef or recipe developer, or have an idea you’d like to explore, I’d love to hear from you.

I work with clients throughout New Zealand and internationally, and every enquiry is considered individually.