About Ben Bayly
Born and raised in the farming community of Te Awamutu in the Waikato, it was here that Ben Bayly 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 three 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 French inspired bistro, Origine, also in downtown Auckland.
Further down the country in the South Island, in stunning Arrowtown you will find the modern Italian AOSTA, its 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.
The restaurant game in New Zealand has changed so much in the last few years, the added value is in the story. The story of the people, the story of the ingredient. Who grew it? Why are you using it? Where in New Zealand does it come from? How did you find it? So it is important we tell our story loud and proud.
Ben’s food documentary show ‘A New Zealand Food Story’ is screened in over 80 countries worldwide. Ben travels the length of the country to meet Aotearoa’s finest farmers, growers, hunters, divers, fishers and foodies, in search of the question “what is New Zealand food?” and in the process seeking inspiration for his award-winning Auckland restaurant, Ahi.
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.
