Demonstration Chef 2012

Acclaimed chef Charles Royal trained in the New Zealand Army, gaining London city and Guilds qualifications, and perfected cooking for any occasion, from large groups to small dinner parties. He went on to work as the chef for Air New Zealand’s business and first-class passengers and travelled the world sampling and cooking different cuisines.

Charles has worked in kitchens in Italy, America, Australia and China and was the owner chef of two restaurants in New Zealand. An interest in the slow food movement led him to cooking with New Zealand native plants and leading food trails in the bush, cooking on the spot with plants just gathered. With his wife, Tania, he established KINAKI NZ to harvest and supply native herbs to local and international kitchens.

Charles won the New Zealand innovative Chef of the year award 2003 from the restaurant Association of New Zealand and New Zealand Cuisine Magazine and Matua Valley Wines Award of Innovation Excellence.