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 20 years, I am now enjoying helping raise our teenage son and 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……
Co-ordinator Chef Tutor at NMIT - 2016 to present
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
2016 to Present - Co-ordinator and Tutor NMIT Cookery - Nelson
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