Simon Turner, Head Chef Te Maroro Restaurant, has worked at Jet Park Hotel since 1998. Simon’s career was launched after 2 years full time study at Manukau Institute of Technology where he completed a professional trade certificate. He then worked at the Sheraton Hotel on cold larder and a la carte for Partington’s and the Steam Biscuit Factory. He has also had a short stint at Sky City’s Orbit Restaurant in 2000.

Simon’s focus when planning a new menu is to work with the seasonal produce to create flavours that work well together and that will please the customer. The menu mate software used at Jet Park Hotel provides a good understanding for the menu items customers buy time and time again. In addition to this, a new dish also needs to be achievable by the team who are cooking it, and is also always supported by good costing and standard recipes.  He encourages junior staff to take part in menu planning and enjoys the team work and satisfaction this brings to the kitchen. Simon is a sucker for working on a new menu “from scratch” and is adamant that his ideas need to be fresh (there is no sign of a down-loaded recipe here!)