Simon Gault is one of the leading lights in New Zealand’s culinary scene - a chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur and great Kiwi bloke!
Simon has worked extensively around the globe at a vast array of establishments, including Leiths restaurant in London and at the prestigious Michelin-starred Thornbury Castle. He was also the personal chef to Simon Fuller and billionaire Oracle CEO, Larry Ellison.
Background
He's a former Executive Chef of the Nourish Group, a collection of multi-award-winning restaurant brands that includes Euro Bar & Restaurant, FISH and Jervois Steakhouse in Auckland, Bistro Lago in Taupo, Jervois Steak House in Queenstown and Shed 5, Pravda and The Crab Shack in Wellington and Auckland. In 2017 he opened Giraffe in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, where home grown is front and centre, showcasing the finest local producers and growers New Zealand has to offer.
Awards
Simon has proved himself to be an innovator, a pioneer and a leader over many years. Along the way, his talents have been recognised by the industry, winning the New Zealand Restaurant Association Innovator of the Year Award, the Lewisham Awards, Chef of the Year and Outstanding Hospitality Personality of the Year. He was inducted into the New Zealand Restaurant Association Hall of Fame, named as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in the Services Category and honoured with the 2015 AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism award for Outstanding Contribution to the Hospitality and Tourism Community.
Current work
Simon has a diverse range of business interests including owning Sous Chef, a fine foods import, distribution, deli shop and online food company that brings you the best in high quality ingredients from artisan producers the world over, a brand of homewares ‘Simon Gault Home Cuisine’ available through Briscoes and supermarket products that currently include stocks, seasoning and sauces.
He brings his wealth of business knowledge and working in hospitality to share insights on customer excellence, resilience, motivating teams and health and wellbeing.
Simon is well known for fronting TVNZ’s MasterChef New Zealand over five seasons and starring in his hit television series Chef on a Mission. He is also presenter of the critically acclaimed documentary series, 'Why Are We Fat?'
In 2019, after a serious health scare, Simon transformed his life and developed 4 Wheels of Health, a science-based 4-week health education course, alongside nutritionist Sean Robertson.
He is a food columnist in New Zealand Woman’s Weekly and the author of four bestselling cookbooks, including 'Simon Gault Homemade' and 'Modern Classics'. He also enjoys his role as ambassador for leading brands, Audi and SMEG.
Simon shares his boundless enthusiasm for food, business and excellence.
