The Chef's Table

Elevate your Sugarloaf dining experience and be treated to an exclusive front-row seat at the fire kitchen bench. Celebrated in the media and by top travel advisors as a “must-do”, it has become one of Flockhill's most popular activities. Watch flames dance, engage with the chefs, and discover the stories behind each course.

Meet Your Chefs

Dinner begins with an introduction to your chefs. At Sugarloaf, you'll meet a globally sourced team, each bringing a wealth of experience from the world’s culinary capitals. Drawn together by a shared ambition, these career-driven chefs are focused, curious, and committed to delivering something truly memorable. Led by kiwi-born and raised chef, Taylor Cullen.

Your Chef's Table will be hosted by one of our senior team, who have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of your meal. There’s no menu on the table. Instead, we tailor each course to you, guided by your preferences and dietary needs. It’s a personalised experience, ensuring every detail reflects both your taste and our craft. 

Discover Our Ethos

Our seasonal flavours highlight the best of the Canterbury region, guiding each element used to create a dish. Sugarloaf's food is almost entirely sourced from our region in New Zealand, with the majority of our produce harvested from our own Flockhill Garden. In our first growing season, roughly 70% of the produce served in Sugarloaf grew in our garden. We believe everything is rooted in the land, and we aim to showcase the depth of flavour achieved through techniques that champion produce. Our proteins are sourced with intention. Flockhill lamb, beef from our neighbours, exclusively spear-caught fish, and pasture-raised chicken are regularly on the menu. Quail, duck, venison, and pork have their moments as we aim to better define what is modern New Zealand cuisine.

Depth in Flavour

While our garden goes dormant through the winter months, our approach to food doesn't change with the seasons. Thanks to an extensive ferment and library, built through months of careful harvesting and preserving, we continue to follow our summer philosophy year-round.

As a Chef's Table exclusive, discover our preserves through a sun dial-designed plate. Work your way around the dial, discovering ingredients that may challenge your palate or surprise you in texture. These are the individual elements that our fundamental in our kitchen. Walk away from our Chef's Table with a true sense of place and understanding of our story at Sugarloaf.

The Chef's Table is a Flockhill activity reserved for lodge guests staying overnight. We encourage bookings in advance as it is an experience that sells out quickly. If you would like the opportunity to dine in Sugarloaf, we are open to the public for lunch and dinner reservations. Please visit our dining page to submit a request.