New Eichardt’s Chef arrives in time for New Year

Media Release from Eichardt’s
22 January 2013

New Eichardt’s Chef arrives in time for New Year

Arriving to a New Year and a new start at Queenstown’s luxury hotel Eichardt’s is highly respected new Head Chef Will Eaglesfield.

Mr Eaglesfield arrived at Eichardt’s Private Hotel – flagship property of the Eichardt’s Collection which includes Eichardt’s Bar, Eichardt’s Lakefront Apartments and the Eichardt’s Residence – on December 27 to a ‘full house’ and expected to deliver at Eichardt’s annual New Year’s Eve cocktail event.

After several years working throughout Europe, Mr Eaglesfield brings a distinctly Mediterranean flair – Greek, Turkish and French - to Eichardt’s cuisine. Originally from the UK, he admits to a penchant for traditional English fare as well.

“It’ll be a slow and steady evolution of Eichardt’s cuisine over the first few months,” he said. “I like to think I’ll be in charge when Eichardt’s becomes known as much for its cuisine as for its stunning waterfront location.”

Based in Queenstown for more than six years, Chef Eaglesfield has presided over the cuisine at renowned Amisfield Winery for the last three years, and prior to that Gantleys in Queenstown and Sargoods in Wanaka. He said he knew local suppliers well and was passionate about regional, and particularly organic, produce.

“I have several local suppliers who produce simply the most delicious fruits and vegetables. The emphasis is always on local, fresh and original.”

Chef Eaglesfield has taken over the Eichardt’s culinary reins from Gwen Harvie, who has moved to Carrick Winery restaurant in Bannockburn.

General Manager James Cavanagh said Ms Harvie had done an “outstanding” job over the last two years, including giving a special festive touch to house favourites such as duck, lamb and fresh fish over Christmas.

“I’m anticipating Will will take Eichardt’s cuisine to a whole new level,” said Mr Cavanagh. “I know he is particularly looking forward to creating dishes to accompany some beautiful wines our sommelier Neil Taylor has been nurturing in our cellars.”

The Eichardt’s Collection is already the ‘most awarded’ small luxury hotel group in New Zealand, and Mr Cavanagh said he was looking forward to adding cuisine awards to the long list of international accommodation accolades.

Its most recent accolades include being nominated for Hotel of the Year in the New Zealand Travel Industry Awards and the World Luxury Hotel Awards, and being named in the list of Top Ten Honeymoon destinations in the world by Real Weddings magazine.

Earlier this year, high-end influential UK magazine Tatler named Queenstown’s Eichardt’s Private Hotel one of the world’s best hotels in its highly coveted annual travel guide, and The Times newspaper of London named Eichardt’s Bar one of the ‘Top ten bars In the world with a view’.

Most recently it won the Air New Zealand Small Enterprise Hospitality & Accommodation Award in the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Westpac Business awards.

Offering luxury private retreats in the heart of New Zealand’s premier four-season destination, the Eichardt’s properties are all just a few steps from the lakefront and surrounded by glorious vistas of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown Bay and snow-capped mountain ranges.

Reservations for accommodation bookings are essential by calling Eichardt’s Private Hotel on +64 3 441 0450 or going to www.eichardts.com.

ENDS

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