Award-winning chef Christopher Will has been appointed as the fresh face to lead the revitalised Reds Bar at QT Queenstown.
Acclaimed chef Christopher Will will oversee Reds Bar, Bazaar Interactive Marketplace, Room Service by QT, conferencing and events. He brings a wealth of experience to the hotel’s dining experiences from his time in Michelin-starred restaurants, working alongside Heston Blumenthal, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey.
Closer to home, Christopher Will has worked in hatted establishments like The Sugar Club and Masu in Auckland with Peter Gordon and Nic Watt, respectively.
Japanese, Korean and South American flavours have influenced his unique vision and style, and he has been firm that it’s not ‘fusion’ but combining flavours that work well together.
“For a while there, food was all about foams and dots on a plate, but my style is much more relaxed, which resonates well with the modern diner,” said Will.
‘To me, fine dining isn’t about how many elements you have on a plate; it’s about showcasing the products and keeping things simple with nowhere to hide.”
These cooking techniques have been brought to the forefront at Reds Bar, which offers a flavourful new menu using woodfire and charcoal.
Will’s vision for Reds has been to be a place for relaxation and connection, where people can share laughs and swap stories over tasting plates designed for sharing. The wine list highlights vineyards in the surrounding region, and cocktails rival the view.
With humble beginnings as a kitchen hand in South Africa, Will has sharpened his knives in Dubai, London, and Namibia and settled in Queenstown to make his mark on the local dining scene.
“Queenstown is such a magical place to live, and I consider myself incredibly lucky that my place of work is a restaurant on the sixth floor of QT Queenstown – I know the view will never get old.”
He added that QT has always been a brand he admired because of its out-of-the-box style.
The team has also been incredible and on board to approach things uniquely, and he was excited for diners to experience what they have created in the kitchen.
“We’re excited to have Christopher Will step into the kitchen and bring his flair to Reds, the hotel’s room service menu, and our conference offering,” said Jeremy Black, General Manager of QT Queenstown.
“His experience worldwide means that regardless of whether our guests are visiting from across the globe or just down the road, they’re in for a real treat with Chris at the helm.”
The new menu is available at Reds Bar, QT Queenstown, which is open seven days a week from 2 p.m. to late.
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