Helen Arnesen - Managing Director

Chris Hagan - Chef

English grand winner of the 2006 NZ-UK Link Foundation Competition set up with the help of famous chef Peter Gordon, Chris hails from a michelin star/4 rosette Fichers Inn Restaurant in Baslow Hall, Derbyshire. Seen has a future name to watch out for in all things culinary, his time was spent with two mentors, Max Ficher & Rupert Rowley of Fichers and Andrew Bennett at the London Parklane Hotel. His technique is soundly influenced by the modern european cuisine so dominant in the UK, and hints of the popular molecular gastrononmy that has taken the world.

Recently joining Puretastes in October 2007 after a stint as Sous Chef at the Grove Restaurant, Auckland City, he took out the Katrina Gordon Trade Show Signature Dish Competiton with tea smoked akaroa salmon, asparagus, cruhed baby gems and grenoise butter with a Hunters kaha roa Sauvignon Blanc wine match.

Chris is eager to understand the flavours of cultural cuisines Puretastes has become reknowned for, and in future years be able to take these exciting new antipodean flavours back to England, ready to take on the michlein guide!