Defining New Zealand Cuisine

Born and raised in the farming community of Te Awamutu in the Waikato was where Ben Bayly, (44), fell in love with food.

Ben embarked on almost a decade of culinary discovery, working at famed restaurants and hotels with world class chefs across the globe, honing his chef career in France, Italy and the United Kingdom before returning to New Zealand.

Ben is highly regarded in the industry in New Zealand with a lengthy history of accolades reflective of his quality and passion for New Zealand’s food culture and equal passion for harnessing and cultivating talent amongst his teams. He is proud to be named as the NIWA-Haku Kingfish Champion for Change for 2023 in the Cuisine Good Food Awards 23/24.

In Auckland, Ben offers two very different dining options, from his flagship New Zealand focused restaurant – Ahi (translates literally from Te Reo Māori to mean Fire) in downtown Auckland to sister restaurant, Kiwi-style bistro, Origine, also in downtown Auckland (Commercial Bay).

Further down the country in the South Island, in stunning Arrowtown you will find the modern Italian AOSTA, the family friendly sibling, Little Aosta, the rustic hidden gem, Blue Door Bar and Queenstown’s jewel in the crown, the historic Bathhouse on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

In addition to the restaurant ventures, and a passion project of Ben’s, the talented team at Ahi Organic Gardens in South Auckland grow and harvest the best seasonal produce to supply to the Auckland restaurants.

As well as a diverse hospitality portfolio, Ben has a successful television career including three seasons of A New Zealand Food Story and one season of, The Restaurant that Makes Mistakes in partnership with Young Onset Dementia Collective with season 2 screening in late 2024.

Previous television work includes two seasons as co-judge of My Kitchen Rules New Zealand, two guest chef appearances on MasterChef New Zealand and an appearance on Hangi Pitmasters.

Ben lives in West Auckland with his wife Cara, children Mila, Bowie and Ella, one cat, three dogs and seven chickens.

Follow Ben at @benbaylynz.