Top chef Gareth Stewart to head Nourish Group kitchens

Award winning chef and My Kitchen Rules judge, Gareth Stewart, is taking up the reigns in the Nourish Group’s kitchens.

Stewart will replace Simon Gault as executive chef across the group’s nine eateries including Euro and Fish on Auckland’s Princes Wharf, Shed 5 and Pravda in Wellington, Bistro Lago in Taupo, Jervois Steak House in Auckland and Queenstown and the popular Crab Shack in Auckland and Wellington.

The UK born chef joins Nourish Group after almost eight years as executive chef at Soul Bar & Bistro. While there he won numerous accolades including Best Casual Dining at the 2009 and 2010 Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Awards.

A judge and host on TV ONE’s My Kitchen Rules alongside fellow award-winning chef Ben Bayly (The Grove Baduzzi), the high profile chef has also appeared on Food TV’s The Best of New Zealand.

Growing up near Portsmouth in Hampshire, Stewart’s entry into kitchens began at the tender age of 15 at the local Queen’s Hotel. At 18, the hotel’s sous chef recognized his potential and helped him land a job at London’s Claridge’s Hotel, where he spent the next two years.

Working at various London restaurants and private clubs over the next few years, it was while at revered one Michelin star restaurant The Greenhouse under executive chef Bjorn Van der Horst that Stewart realized his true love of cooking.

In 2007, Stewart was sous chef at the exclusive Mews of Mayfair in London when his Kiwi wife Angela saw an ad on the internet - Soul was looking for a 'world class' chef. Astounded to be invited to Auckland to try out, he wowed his future colleagues with his cooking and promptly landed the job and moved to Auckland shortly after.

Never getting tired of working with food, Stewart says he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Soul. But after nearly eight years, he is ready for the fresh challenges his new role will bring.

Stewart says he couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining Nourish Group. “The challenge of heading up institutions like Euro and Jervois Steak House along with new favorites like The Crab Shack excites me immensely. I’m really looking forward to working with this team of highly talented people and getting my teeth into it.”

Nourish Group CEO Richard Sigley says the team is looking forward to Stewart’s arrival. “Gareth is a very talented chef. He has some big shoes to fill with Simon’s departure of course, but anyone who knows him, knows that he is up for the challenge.”

Stewart will start his new role on July 6.