Word is spreading with locals, international visitors, media and food reviewers saying exclusive restaurant Bazaar is the hottest, freshest and most creative dining experience currently on offer in the picturesque resort town located in the newly opened QT Queenstown.
Never one to rest on its laurels, QT Hotels & Resorts is upping the ante with the announcement a trailblazer on the international food scene has joined Bazaar as Executive Chef this week.
Shane Avant’s knives are sharpened with his new team excited to work under the chef known for his bold flavour combinations and adventurous food palate.
QT Queenstown’s General Manager, Vince Santoro says, “Taste buds will be scandalised by Shane and his team’s upcoming creations and we can’t wait to see what food creations they dream up next. I believe Shane’s personality, stories from abroad and vast cooking knowledge will add to our guests dining experience in the hustle and bustle of the interactive, locally sourced marketplace that is Bazaar.
“Shane is a well-rounded chef with a broad repertoire which will suit Bazaar. He will bring edge while respecting the classics and catering for all taste buds.”
A born and bred kiwi, Shane left New Zealand 17 years ago on a culinary journey to some of the world’s most exotic locations. He has returned with his wife to give their two children a Kiwi upbringing.
Cutting his culinary teeth at some of New Zealand’s most iconic restaurants, Shane began as Commis Chef at Christchurch landmark restaurant, Le Bon Bolli, in 1996. Building up his culinary experience, Shane left Kiwi shores for Sydney’s award-winning GPO Grand fine dining restaurant.
More recently, Shane was Executive Chef at 5-star Cocoa Island by COMO in the rich-lister preferred destination, the Maldives. He was Executive Chef at the 5-star Fiji Beach Resort & Spa (managed by the Hilton). Shane also worked as Chef de Partie at the exclusive Sails Restaurant in the breathtaking Whitsundays, Australia.
Shane was Executive Chef at 5-star Vomo Island Resort in Fiji, and Consultant Chef for Paradise Cove Resort, Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, Octopus Resort and Oasis Palms Hotel also in Fiji. His time as a consultant included negotiating and arranging importing goods from New Zealand.
Bazaar is an interactive marketplace boasting mouth-watering good food, delicious cocktails and unparalleled views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain ranges. Shane and his culinary team create their menu daily depending on the freshest, tastiest, seasonal ingredients on offer that morning.
