‘Consumate entertainer’ shares food knowledge

Not only have we come a long way in our adoption of a wide range of gastronomics in the past 20 years or so but the once standard kiwi stodgy fare of meat and three veg is largely a thing of the past.

Mangawhai has been fortunate in being the recipient of cooks and chefs of many different persuasions providing the town with over 20 food outlets for what is really quite a small population.

Small it may be but Mangawhai is becoming quite particular in the foods they prefer and, in some cases, demand.

Mangawhai is also fortunate to have the services of Chantelle Campbell, by her own admission “the consummate entertainer.”

Chantelle studied hospitality while growing up surrounded by her Mum’s catering business and managing it for the past seven years. It was inevitable that food would form a large part of her life and she has brought her love of food and entertaining to Mangawhai as Food by Chantelle.

Most recently Chantelle ran food classes for kids during the school holidays, teaching and entertaining three groups of 12 budding gastronomes into making sushi, dumplings and tacos.

“Kids are great fun and entertainment where food is concerned,” says Chantelle. “They have no inhibitions, don’t mind making a mess and are keen to have a go.”

These holiday classes are set to be a regular event.

Though available to cater for various events, Chantelle runs regular cooking demonstrations in her own home in Marram Place where both she and her visitors enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of being clustered around a dining table.

Chantelle is also an ardent lover of dinner parties and thrives on the preparation cocktails, canapes and sliders though, when pressed, nominates paella as probably her signature dish.

“I have a paella pan that can serve up to fifteen people,” she says with a confident grin.

Early in June Chantelle will be joining forces with local wine company Vintage Distribution to present a degustation which promises to be a foodies delight, as well as adopting the Chinese lucky number – 8 delectable tasting dishes, 8 matching wines and all on the evening of June 8.

She also has an Italian night planned plus a salad night and a Mexican night at the Waipu Celtic Barn in July.

Highly aware of the special needs of her diners Chantelle says “dietary needs make food prep quite involved because people with special food requirements still need to taste a dish how it is meant to taste.”

But that’s all a part of the journey into foodtopia and the ability of the chef.

Go to the website foodbychantelle.com for a closer look and book for any of her special nights.

THRIVING: Food lover Chantelle Campbell caters, runs cooking classes, and is planning a range of specialty dinner evenings. – PHOTO/OH GOSH