Mabee has apologised, saying he wants to \u201cstrive to become that better person I know I once was and can be again\u201d.<\/p>\n
Vaughan Mabee (left) and John Darby went to Turin for The World’s 50 Best Awards ceremony last year. Photo \/ Instagram<\/p>\n
\u201cVaughan Mabee was a long-time employee that I supported onto the world stage, but I misjudged his ability to lead our kitchen responsibly,\u201d Darby said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo amount of talent is an excuse for poor behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darby this week said complaints were made to management about Mabee\u2019s conduct as far back as 2016 and 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said Mabee received \u201cformal written warnings\u201d.<\/p>\n It was \u201cclearly outlined\u201d to the star chef that any further breach would result in dismissal, Darby said.<\/p>\n More complaints were lodged last year, including about Mabee\u2019s alleged conduct at a private staff party celebrating Amisfield being named among the world\u2019s top 100 restaurants<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the day after the party, and a subsequent drinking session at a Queenstown bar, one staff member was so upset she resigned immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cFollowing a further complaint late last year, Vaughan was removed from the workplace and we accepted his resignation,\u201d Darby said in his latest statement.<\/p>\n Ex-staff, and current unnamed staff, have spoken to various media outlets \u2013 including the Herald \u2013 of their unpleasant experiences working under Mabee.<\/p>\n Some have also been critical of how Mabee remained employed for so long, amid a \u201ctoxic\u201d environment. <\/p>\n One told the Herald they believed managers displayed \u201ccowardice\u201d by not taking earlier decisive action, enabling the behaviour to continue.<\/p>\n Other ex-staff members have said they didn\u2019t come forward because of the high regard Mabee was held in by Amisfield top brass.<\/p>\n Darby has responded, saying: \u201cI deeply regret that any staff felt unable to speak up sooner.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not condone Vaughan\u2019s behaviour and the culture he created. I hear those who have come forward and regret that our support was not more responsive in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are now committed to a total recalibration of our culture, with the restaurant\u2019s future in the capable hands of Simon Toneycliffe and his leadership team.\u201d<\/p>\n The fallout over the Mabee scandal has been swift.<\/p>\n Cuisine magazine has removed Amisfield from its prestigious food guide.<\/p>\n Australian broadcaster SBS has also dropped Taste of Art New Zealand \u2013 a show co-hosted by Mabee and MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong \u2013 on the eve of its debut across the Tasman.<\/p>\n TVNZ confirmed on Monday it was considering removing the cooking show from its online TVNZ+ catalogue in light of the conduct allegations.<\/p>\n Restaurant boss outlines plans to repair workplace culture and trust<\/p>\n After Darby\u2019s fresh comments, Amisfield chief executive Simon Toneycliffe expressed his disappointment over the scandal surrounding his former head chef.<\/p>\n He has also outlined how managers at the world-acclaimed fine-dining destination hope to rebuild its workplace culture.<\/p>\n Toneycliffe, who took on the role in April 2023, said that he had previously realised \u201cmeaningful change was required\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile some of the workplace issues predated my tenure, addressing them and ensuring we create the environment our people deserve is my responsibility,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe recognise there have been times when the standards expected of our workplace culture were not consistently met. Rebuilding trust through leadership, accountability and action is now a clear priority.\u201d<\/p>\n Sun Peng, who had worked under Mabee \u2013 is now leading the kitchen.<\/p>\n Aaron Jacobson, who has previously worked for Michelin-rated restaurants in America and Asia \u2013 began yesterday as restaurant manager.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether with restaurant manager Aaron Jacobsen and Chef Peng, we are reinforcing a culture where excellence, professionalism, and respect are inseparable,\u201d Toneycliffe said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are implementing a strengthened leadership structure across both the kitchen and front-of-house to ensure clearer accountability, better communication, and consistent standards of behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n Amisfield \u2013 whose rich history includes hosting British royalty for a wine tasting tour \u2013 is closed until July 7 for planned maintenance.<\/p>\n Toneycliffe said that period of time would also be used for the restaurant to \u201creset, align and prepare for the next chapter of Amisfield\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe remain committed to creating an environment where our people feel respected, supported and proud to work, while continuing to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests.\u201d<\/p>\n Disgraced chef: \u2018I badly let my team down\u2019<\/p>\n Mabee told the Herald last Friday<\/a> that he had resigned to \u201cspend more time with my young family while also pursuing several overseas opportunities\u201d.<\/p>\n He also took issue with his resignation being described as \u201csudden\u201d.<\/p>\n In a statement to the Herald on Monday, after being approached for comment on allegations about his conduct in and away from the high-profile workplace, the celebrity chef offered an apology to staff he had offended.<\/p>\n \u201cI unreservedly apologise to my former staff and colleagues at work for my inappropriate behaviour to them or any inconsiderate comments made,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI love and respect all my team at the restaurant and meant no malice or harm with my actions.<\/p>\n \u201cI badly let my team down last year by inappropriate drunken behaviour at a nightclub, that made me fully realise how unfair and unacceptable some of my behaviour had been and now want to strive to become that better person I know I once was and can be again.\u201d<\/p>\n An incident at a Queenstown nightclub had occurred in the hours after a private staff party.<\/p>\n The Herald has been told Mabee was highly intoxicated and threw a bottle of champagne in the bar.<\/p>\n It is alleged staff who tried to help the chef \u2013 including by getting him a cab home \u2013 were abused by him.<\/p>\n The Herald has been told by the ex-Amisfield worker that a staff member was so upset at what they had seen and experienced, they resigned the next day.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m stepping down to first focus on addressing my personal health issues, and being a present and loving father to my family,\u201d Mabee said.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain I am truly sorry for any harm or offence that may [have] impacted my fellow staff and colleagues. I respect you all and wish you well, Chef Vaughan.\u201d<\/p>\n Celebrity chef Vaughan Mabee has departed the kitchen at world-famous Wanaka restaurant Amisfield, where his signature dishes have resulted in global acclaim and awards. New Zealand Herald composite photo<\/p>\n
Amisfield and Vaughan Mabee’s cooking have secured global awards and praise.<\/p>\n
A Taste of Art New Zealand – co-gosted by Vaughan Mabee and Melissa Leong – has been pulled by an Australian broadcaster.<\/p>\n
Management at Amisfield Restaurant say they are now on a mission to repair the culture enabled under their and Vaughan Mabee’s watch. <\/p>\n
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visited Amisfield Winery in Queenstown a royal tour of New Zealand. Photo \/ Fiona Goodall<\/p>\n
Vaughan Mabee was once a judge on MasterChef New Zealand.<\/p>\n
A boar cooking over the open fire outside Amisfield Restaurant, Queenstown. Photo \/ Sam Stewart<\/p>\n