Our story
Kia ora, my name is Freddie. I am originally from London but have lived in beautiful Taranaki for the past 12 years. I have been a chef for over 20 years and have picked up a wide range of experience along the way, from some of the world’s best Michelin starred restaurants through to casual dining. Most recently I ran the kitchen at Shining Peak Brewing here in New Plymouth, and I am now cooking full time for Kai Garden Catering.
My Taranaki born wife Amanda and I started Kai Garden Catering to share our love of kai. I am extremely passionate about locally grown ingredients with a funky story behind every dish.
We feel completely honoured to show you the amazing produce we are lucky to have here, and cannot wait to work with you to make your special occasion one to remember.
Along the way
Taranaki Food & Drink Awards, 2025
2024 and 2025
2018 and 2019
Winner, 2015
Kai from the land
Everything starts with what is growing, swimming and being raised right here. Freddie forages for native herbs, works with local growers, and builds each menu around what is actually good that week rather than what is on a fixed list. Seasonal, local, and never quite the same twice.
How it works
No two events are the same, so nothing is off a fixed list.
Tell us about it
Get in touch with the occasion, the date, roughly how many people and anything you need us to work around.
We design the menu
Freddie builds it from scratch around your occasion and whatever is best locally that week. Every dish gets a story behind it.
We cook it in front of you
Freddie cooks and serves on the day, talking your guests through each dish as it lands. That is the part people remember.
