GISBORNE GOOD FOOD
About
Gisborne Good Food
Beautiful food, grounded in Tairāwhiti
Gisborne Good Food is about generous, beautifully prepared food made for occasions that bring people together.
Based in Gisborne, we create distinctive menus for private celebrations, gatherings and special occasions, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, thoughtful presentation and food that people remember.
Our menus are inspired by the flavours of Aotearoa and the abundance of our region. Wendy particularly enjoys working with indigenous and locally grown ingredients, bringing flavours such as kawakawa, horopito, karengo and Gisborne-grown yuzu into contemporary dishes.
Meet Wendy
Gisborne Good Food is led by Wendy Bennett, an accomplished caterer with more than 40 years of experience
creating food for events and special occasions.
Wendy’s career has taken her well beyond the kitchen. She has been invited internationally to showcase New Zealand food and culture, including presenting New Zealand food and wine in Dubai for the Shangri-La hotel group and travelling to California to demonstrate New Zealand cuisine alongside former Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey.
After returning to Gisborne, Wendy re-established her catering business as Gisborne Good Food, bringing that experience home and continuing to develop the creative, flavour-led menus for which her catering is known.
Celebrating
Māori Cuisine
In June 2025, Wendy received the Culinary Award at the Tohunga Tūmau dinner in Rotorua, an event celebrating Māori cuisine, wine and culinary talent.
The recognition reflects something that has long been part of Wendy’s approach to food — respecting where ingredients come from, celebrating the flavours of Aotearoa and creating food with a strong sense of place.
Kind words
“The food on the day was outstanding. Delicious gourmet food was beautifully
presented and plentiful. The guests were wowed! The timing was perfect for the occasion and
served by a friendly, efficient team.
We would highly recommend Wendy, Bryn and the team at
Gisborne Good Food to cater for any occasion.”
- Barb Harris
“When you have an innovative, passionate foodie pouring her heart and soul
into her food creations, you can feel the aroha in the kai — the love in the food.
Wendy has dedicated her whole life to food in all its glorious forms.
Her manaakitanga is paramount. It simply tastes so good.”
- Wiki Oman