About the Author

  Chris  Fortune


Chris is a confident speaker and presenter and is the past Chairperson of Farmers' Markets New Zealand and the Marlborough Community Gardens. 

He has run extensive workshops and training  programs  nationwide for organisers, conferences, business's, hospitality events,  public speaking, cooking demonstrations and  product launches

One of the hardest positions that I have held over the years is that of full time father and husband to my wife Tina and two children, Kacey Lewis Fortune and Holly Nancy Fortune.



Since winning NZ HELL’S KITCHEN in May 2003 I have received many opportunities through my involvement in localized food production groups to economic development centre’s focused around community development. Having always kept myself busy working and running restaurants for the last 18 years, I am now enjoying helping raise our young 12 year old son and 7 year old daughter. This would have to be one of the hardest positions that I have ever held, that of full time father and husband to my wife. Just like HELL’S KITCHEN I relish the challenge and am finding the experience a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Never to be far from the hotspots I have recently spent fives years working as a Executive Chef at the 4 Star plus Scenic Hotel Marlborough & Marlborough Convention Centre www.marlboroughconventions.co.nz. I look forward to my next challenge….what ever it may be……

  • Third Cookbook Published- Kiwi Sizzler Portable BBQ - Batemans 2015
  • AMP Scholarship "Do your thing" 2013
  • Founding member of Kids Can Cook Kitchen and Teens Can Cook Kitchen 2012
  • Representative for FMNZ at the Ministry of Primary Industries Table 2012
  • Founding member Taste Farmers Markets Award 2011/12
  • Kiwi Sizzler Book Published by Bateman Books Oct 2010
  • Judge of Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Awards 2009
  • Founding member of Slow Food Marlborough 2010/11/12
  • Trustee and founding member of the Marlborough Community Gardens 2009/10/11/12
  • NMIT Graduation Key Note  Speaker – Nelson and Blenheim    09
  • Executive Chef of Scenic Marlborough Hotel and Marlborough Convention Centre 08/09/10/11/12
  •  Judge of Cuisine Artisan Awards 2008
  • Regional Chef for NZ on a plate presentor TV One 08 and 09
  •  Judge of Canterbury Royal show Olive oil Awards 08/09/10/11/12
  •   Pick/PRESERVE/Serve book published by Bateman Books May 08
  •     Crown Plaza Melbourne Marlborough Wine Dinner June 08
  • Farmers’ Market NZ Chairperson 09/10/11/12
  • Marlborough Express Fairfax Newspaper Cooking Contributor weekly column 06/07/08/09/10/11/12
  • Forage Marlborough with Cloudy Bay Vineyards 06/08/09/10
  • Contract chef with the Pacific Eagle Super Yacht in Tonga, Fiji and Marlborough Sounds 2004 to 2015
  • Establishing and running Seafood Cooking School in Marlborough 05/06
  • Establishing the New Zealand Farmers Market Association Inc  06
  • Contract Chef with Tegel, TV1, TV2, Womens Weekly, Good taste Kitchen 03/04
  • BMW Wine and Food Festival Master Classes 04
  • Havelock Mussel festival Master Classes 05/07/08/09/10/11/12
  • Contestant and winner of Hells Kitchen, TV2, Essential productions 03
  • Chairperson and Founder of the Marlborough Farmers Market 02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09/10/11/12

COOKING CAREER SUMMARY

2012 to 2015 - Project manager for Kids Can Cook Kitchen, Teens Can Cook Kitchen and Supa Foods

2007/08/09/10/11/12 - Scenic Hotel Marlborough and Marlborough Convention Centre – Exec Chef

2001 to 2012 - Marlborough Famrers Market Contract Chef

2004 to 2015 - Pacific Eagle Super Yacht – Pacific and NZ  – Contract Chef

2004/05 - CK’s Marlborough Catering and Cuisine at Le Brun Restaurant – Owner operator

2003 - Hells Kitchen – Auckland – TV2 – Essential productions - Winner

2002 Chequers Café and Wine Bar – Marlborough – 1 year - Head Chef

    2000 - Hotel Durville – Marlborough – 2 years – Head Chef
    1999 - Sugar Club Restaurant – London – 4 months – Chef d partie