Queenstown Catering have gone from strength to strength over the years. With the support of the local community they have grown to be one of the largest dedicated catering operations in the region. The key to their success has been their ability to offer a personal touch to every catering job, both big and small.
The team acquired the venue “Winehouse” at Gibbston and have established themselves as one of the most sought after food and beverage caterers in the Queenstown-Lakes district.
“I can’t imagine working with a better catering partner than Queenstown Catering. The team’s attention to detail, from planning to execution, ensured that all 11 events were a success. 600 people is a small number in most cities, but not Queenstown. All crew work off each gathering on time and on budget, with professionalism and friendliness. Their fantastic menu options appeal to all delegates with local and sustainable food items as well as their solution oriented approach to problem solving, catering experience and knowledge.”
Amway
A Little About Us!
Andy Thompson
Corporate Sales and Catering Manager for all of Queenstown Catering’s operations, Andy moved to Queenstown in 2017. Andy has been in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years and understands the importance of building relationships and creating experiences that will be cherished forever. In his spare time you’ll find him hiking a mountain or walking around the Lake Wakatipu making the most of Queenstown’s breathtaking scenery.
“I love making the customer experience unforgettable at our events”
Samantha Collins
Winehouse Sales Manager & Planning Co-ordinator, Samantha’s many years of experience in every aspect of hospitality and management has seen amazing growth at Queenstown Catering’s exclusive venue, Winehouse. She has positioned herself as one of the most sought after event organisers in Queenstown.
“I love being part of an amazing team environment at Winehouse”
Silke Kellner
Queenstown Catering Wedding Sales and Operations Manager, Silke has been working in the hospitality industry over 20 years. She moved to Queenstown in 2012 and in her free time she enjoys the outdoors with her family.
“I love to work with all the beautiful venues in the Queenstown area and be able to help create a special wedding day”
Louise Eaves
Queenstown Catering Functions and Human Resources Manager, Louise moved to Queenstown in 2021 and joined the Queenstown Catering team after 9 years working in bars and restaurants around the central North Island. Louise has a passion for creating a fun family dynamic amongst the team but equally loves to run a tight ship to execute memorable and successful events for our clients. Louise thrives when no two days are the same. Any event big or small Louise is always up for the challenge!
“I believe there is nothing better than working in a team that feels like your family”
Ivy Skelton
Queenstown Catering Assistant Functions Manager. Ivy has been with Queenstown Catering for 3 years, after having worked in the industry in Germany and the Netherlands. She loves everything Queenstown has to offer, including biking, skiing and hiking.
“There’s no problem in life that good food can’t fix”
Thilo Kellner
Executive Chef of Queenstown Catering, Thilo has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including more than 20 years spent in various kitchen environments. He has a deep passion for creating exceptional dining experiences. Outside of the kitchen, he enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and making lasting memories with his family traveling the world.
“My journey in hospitality has taught me the importance of teamwork, creativity, and dedication to quality”
Kayleigh Hill
Head Chef of Queenstown Catering, Kayleigh did lots of travelling before deciding to settle in Queenstown. She has tasted a wide variety of different flavours on her travels which helps when creating new menus each season. Kayleigh has been in the hospitality industry for over 15 years. Being a vegetarian she is very passionate about creating delicious Vegetarian and Vegan food. In her spare time she loves to get out walking with her whippet Nayah, mountain biking or eating her body weight in cheese!
Samson Sands-Davies
Head Chef of Queenstown Catering, Samson has ventured from making cream teas at age 12 on the cliffs of Devon and working in the hospitality industry ever since. Working his way around the world he ended up planting roots in Queenstown. When he’s not in the kitchen he loves to be outdoors; snowboarding, biking and anything else he can get stuck into.
Fernando Lopez van Heugten
Sous Chef of Queenstown Catering, Fernando Lopez arrived in Queenstown in 2018. He began studying and working in Argentina. He later moved to France to continue his studies and gain restaurant experience. In September 2022, he joined Queenstown Catering, bringing his culinary skills to the local scene.
Our Team Approach
We believe that good food is nothing without great service. Queenstown Catering is based on the understanding that food and service are equally dependent when creating the perfect dining experience.
We also appreciate that great food and service are only some of the components which contribute to a successful event – they’re just part of the whole. Therefore, we work hard to understand your requirements, and do our utmost to ensure that the catering perfectly complements the other aspects of the event.
Our team really is a team. We select our team members carefully, and train them rigorously. But at the end of the day, we are like a family. Happy team equals good service… and happy clients. (A truly winning formula).
At Queenstown Catering, our amazing team of chefs and service team members really pride themselves on offering the kind of catering service that wins us lots of brilliant testimonials from happy clients. Join us on our social media accounts to keep up to date with our team!
We love what we do, we love our town, and we love our clients.
