It was the location he had previously been at after delivering dinner to his boss, then drinking an unspecified amount of beer as he watched Darby and an associate play darts.<\/p>\n
Darby had employed Mabee for more than three years before the crash; an incident that would lead to a conviction and a driving ban and be the subject of a drawn-out legal process going all the way to the Court of Appeal.<\/p>\n
Celebrity chef Vaughan Mabee left his job at Amisfield Restaurant in disgrace, marking a huge fall from stardom. Photo \/ New Zealand Herald composite<\/p>\n
It also marked the end of a virtual honeymoon period Mabee had enjoyed with publicity. Headlines he had previously generated focused on his journey to becoming one of New Zealand\u2019s most respected chefs, and about the inspiration behind and the wow factor of his dishes that set him apart from many of his peers.<\/p>\n
But the ramifications of the headlines generated after the drink-driving case \u2013 both for Mabee and Amisfield \u2013 pale into significance compared to the ones that have followed the Herald first revealing on May 1 that the star chef had quit the Michelin Star-hopeful restaurant.<\/p>\n
Mabee said he wanted to \u201cspend more time with my young family<\/a> while also pursuing several overseas opportunities\u201d.<\/p>\n The confirmation of the departure came as the Herald and other media were working on stories detailing allegations of bullying and lewd behaviour towards women by Mabee.<\/p>\n Within three days, Mabee had apologised to ex-staff<\/a> for \u201cmy inappropriate behaviour to them or any inconsiderate comments made\u201d.<\/p>\n Darby also confirmed the chef had resigned after an \u201cindependent investigation\u201d into \u201cVaughan\u2019s conduct\u201d, as well as detailing previous written warnings issued to the chef.<\/p>\n While Mabee\u2019s journey to the top of New Zealand\u2019s culinary industry was a long and well-travelled one; his fall from grace proved swift.<\/p>\n Mabee\u2019s rise to the top included dishes duty and unpaid work<\/p>\n Mabee was born in London.<\/p>\n His father is a Kiwi. His mother is American.<\/p>\n The family lived in Northland for a time, where his father worked in the marine industry.<\/p>\n In a profile on the Rodd & Gunn website he said that \u201clike many Northland families with a close affinity to the ocean, freshly caught seafood featured prominently\u201d at the dinner table.<\/p>\n Mabee completed his intermediate years at Auckland\u2019s Dilworth School, before going on to secondary school at Auckland Grammar.<\/p>\n His journey to the upper echelon of the food industry came the old-fashioned way; working from the ground up in kitchens instead of seeking formal qualifications in a chef school.<\/p>\n That included dishwashing duties in Auckland restaurants before he travelled to America as a young man to chase his dream of being a top chef.<\/p>\n After becoming a young executive chef at San Diego\u2019s La Valencia Hotel, he took his dream to Europe.<\/p>\n Mabee worked unpaid at Restaurante Martin Berasategui; a three Michelin-starred restaurant in the Basque Country.<\/p>\n Italy and France followed, before he secured a job at the world-famous Noma in Copenhagen in 2010.<\/p>\n It was an opportunity to work under one of his heroes; Noma co-founder and, until March, its head chef, Rene Redzepi.<\/p>\n Redzepi quit after numerous allegations of physical and verbal abuse towards staff, saying: \u201cAn apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my own actions.\u201d<\/p>\n It was an accomplished and confident Mabee who returned to New Zealand in 2011 to take on the role as executive chef at Amisfield<\/a>.<\/p>\n He paid tribute to the opportunity afforded to him by Darby in a profile published on Dilworth\u2019s website last year: \u201cJohn has given me the canvas to create splendid food and pair it with amazing wine.\u201d<\/p>\n Darby had also stood by him during and after police came calling to his house as they investigated a crash near his house.<\/p>\n In trouble with the law: The drink-driving crash and Mabee\u2019s appeal that had \u2018no merit\u2019<\/p>\n The site of a crashed Toyota Hilux ute, resting in a ditch and facing the wrong way greeted Senior Sergeant Paula Enoka as she drove home along Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Rd shortly before 1am on November 14.<\/p>\n Across the road lay two firearms, ammunition and the wallet that included Mabee\u2019s ID.<\/p>\n No one was in the ute. But officers who were then called to the scene did find blood in the vehicle.<\/p>\n Mabee was located by police about 90 minutes later at Darby\u2019s house.<\/p>\n Constable Daniel Andrew would later tell the Queenstown District Court \u2013 where Mabee appeared in January 2017 on charges of drink-driving and careless driving \u2013 that the chef came across as being \u201cvery intoxicated\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was slurring his words, he was unsteady on his feet, his eyes were bloodshot \u2013 typical of a person who had been drinking,\u201d Andrew was quoted in a court report in the Otago Daily Times. <\/p>\n It was a comment in contrast to evidence given by Darby, who said his star chef was \u201cvery, very calm\u201d.<\/p>\n Mabee had earlier delivered dinner to Darby around 7.30pm, before taking up an invite to stick around as his boss and an associate played some darts.<\/p>\n Darby also told the court the chef had some beer before departing before 11pm. Mabee was later to tell police he drank \u201cmaybe two\u201d beers and had crashed after trying to avoid something on the road.<\/p>\n Andrew said Mabee \u2013 who had suffered a head cut \u2013 had spoken of being \u201cdelusional\u201d so was taken to Lakes District Hospital for a check-up.<\/p>\n While there, an evidential blood sample recorded taken there gave a result of 137mg, above the legal limit of 50mg per 100ml of blood.<\/p>\n Mabee was eventually convicted of drink-driving, being disqualified from driving for six months and fined $650.<\/p>\n But it was a prosecution he fought; first in the Invercargill High Court in August 2017 with the Otago Daily Times reporting his challenge saw him argue \u201cthe blood analysis was inadmissible because he had twice been arbitrarily detained in breach of his rights\u201d.<\/p>\n Judge Rachel Dunningham did not accept the appeal, saying drink-drivers such as Mabee shouldn\u2019t escape via \u201ctechnical and unmeritorious defences\u201d.<\/p>\n The chef then took the case to the Court of Appeal, arguing correct procedures for blood samples weren\u2019t followed.<\/p>\n Justice Helen Winkelmann wrote in her written judgment \u2013 obtained by the Herald \u2013 that Mabee also claimed the fact a police officer had been present \u201camounted to an unlawful and arbitrary detention, and an abuse of police powers\u201d.<\/p>\n Winkelmann\u2019s December 7, 2017, ruling threw out the appeal, stating: \u201cMr Mabee has had the opportunity to pursue these technical and unmeritorious arguments on two previous occasions. There is no reason why he should be afforded that opportunity a third time\u201d.<\/p>\n Finding love in the workplace<\/p>\n Despite the case, Mabee\u2019s star continued to glow.<\/p>\n And he didn\u2019t just find international acclaim for his food creations at Amisfield.<\/p>\n He also found love.<\/p>\n Among the staff at Amisfield the year after his protracted legal battle was young waitress, Julia Yamamoto-Evans<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yamamoto-Evans was born in Tokyo and moved to New Zealand in her teens.<\/p>\n She attended high school in Havelock North High School, before travelling to Queenstown where she got work as a waitress at Amisfield.<\/p>\n Yamamoto-Evans\u2019 initial stay at the world-renowned fine-dining restaurant and vineyard was not a long one, with the part-time model going on to travel to Japan and America.<\/p>\n But when she returned to Queenstown in 2020 \u2013 and again worked at Amisfield \u2013 romantic sparks flew.<\/p>\n Mabee proposed to his partner next to a lagoon while they holidayed in the Cook Islands in August 2021.<\/p>\n In January 2023, the pair got married on private land at Glendhu Bay; a small settlement near Lake W\u0101naka.<\/p>\n At the time of the wedding, he was aged 42; his beautiful young wife was 17 years his junior.<\/p>\n Mabee wore a stylish tuxedo with a bow tie. Yamamoto-Evans \u2013 who by then was working front-of-house at Amisfield – wore a glamorous gown designed for her by Juliette Hogan.<\/p>\n Precious photos taken with striking Central Otago scenery in the background include one of the happy couple with Mabee\u2019s then 6-year-old son from a previous relationship.<\/p>\n The A-list wedding list included foodies and Mabee\u2019s fellow MasterChef New Zealand judges Nadia Lim and Michael Dearth.<\/p>\n They dined on a seven-course meal created by the Amisfield team.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had an outdoor kitchen, bar and dance floor and a stage where P Digsss from Shapeshifter played into the wee hours of the morning,\u201d Mabee later told the Herald. <\/p>\n \u201cOur wedding was spectacular.\u201d<\/p>\n More than three years on from the wedding, the couple has a daughter, who is nearing her first birthday.<\/p>\n Written warnings and accolades: The countdown to Mabee\u2019s departure<\/p>\n Wedding planning wasn\u2019t the only thing on Mabee\u2019s mind in 2022.<\/p>\n So too were complaints from those who worked under him about his conduct.<\/p>\n After a series of stories relating to alleged serious conduct were published in the days after the news of Mabee\u2019s resignation, Darby confirmed his star chef had twice received written warnings.<\/p>\n They followed complaints made to Amisfield management in 2016 and 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cAt those times, the issues were investigated and resulted in formal written warnings,\u201d Darby said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe clearly outlined that any further breach would result in dismissal.\u201d<\/p>\n At the time, Mabee was also a judge on popular reality TV cooking show, MasterChef New Zealand. <\/p>\n The fact that Mabee kept his job amid allegations of bullying and sexual comments towards female Amisfield staff infuriated those impacted; some of whom have come forward to media to tell their stories.<\/p>\n Some claim they were let down by management who should have dismissed him, regardless of his reputation as a cutting-edge chef.<\/p>\n One former senior employee \u2013 who eventually quit as she couldn\u2019t stand working with Mabee any longer \u2013 claimed management \u201cprotected\u201d him instead of the staff he had \u201charmed\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not leadership,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s cowardice.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt that Mabee and his reputation as a chef were big business for Amisfield.<\/p>\n Those who headed to Amisfield to taste its food and vineyard included royalty, with Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, visiting in 2014.<\/p>\n The chef has guided the fine-dining destination to a string of prestigious global and local dining awards.<\/p>\n Mabee\u2019s gastronomic creations last year took Amisfield to a third-place finish in Food & Wine\u2019s Global Tastemasters Awards.<\/p>\n In 2024, Mabee and Amisfield won the best dining experience gong at The Best Chef\u2019s gala awards ceremony in Dubai.<\/p>\n Closer to home, Cuisine, a Kiwi bi-monthly food and wine magazine, awarded it best restaurant of the year in 2021, 2022 and 2025.<\/p>\n As the awards piled up, incredibly flattering international headlines and food reviews followed.<\/p>\n A 2023 feature in Forbes was titled \u201cThis wildly creative chef is putting New Zealand on the world\u2019s culinary map\u201d.<\/p>\n Honest Cooking & Travel headlined its 2023 feature on the restaurant, \u201cA majestic food experience at the bottom of the world\u201d.<\/p>\n The story stated: \u201cEvery dish feels as local and as intense as bungee jumping. Every single one has a story that connects it to Vaughan\u2019s love for his own roots and ways.\u201d<\/p>\n Remix opined how \u201cAmisfield sets the standard for fine dining in New Zealand\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2018Blow your mind\u2019: The final glowing review and the bitter final farewell<\/p>\n As recently as two weeks ago, a hugely popular American food reviewer \u2013 who travels the globe tasting meals at the world\u2019s 50 best restaurants \u2013 wrote how Amisfield and Mabee\u2019s creations would \u201cblow your mind\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cJust half-an-hour\u2019s drive from Queenstown, nestled picturesquely within a 200-acre winery, is one of the world\u2019s most extraordinary dining destinations,\u201d Michael Ligier wrote.<\/p>\n In an accompanying video, he said it was the best restaurant he had dined at in 2025, and added its food highlighted the \u201cgruff and rugged personality\u201d of Amisfield\u2019s head chef.<\/p>\n A week after the post by Ligier \u2013 who has more than 3.4 million social media followers and more than 850,000 subscribers to his YouTube account \u2013 Amisfield announced that Mabee had left the kitchen.<\/p>\n Mabee initially said he had resigned in February to \u201cspend more time with my young family while also pursuing several overseas opportunities\u201d.<\/p>\n Oddly \u2013 despite comments from him and Darby about the timing of the resignation \u2013 Mabee\u2019s biography listing him as executive chef and photos still featured on Amisfield\u2019s website in the days leading up to the announcement.<\/p>\n The Herald has been told a marketing staff member spent much of the day prior to the resignation announcement removing them.<\/p>\n In the days that followed, something else started to disappear: the golden reputation in some people\u2019s eyes about the man who had helped Amisfield become world-famous.<\/p>\n Cuisine stripped Amisfield of its place in 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 As former staff members spoke to the Herald and other media about their claims of bullying and a range of lewd conduct towards female staff \u2013 including some who quit in disgust \u2013 Mabee and Amisfield were forced into a public relations overdrive.<\/p>\n Mabee issued an apology for his conduct, saying he wants to \u201cstrive to become that better person I know I once was and can be again\u201d.<\/p>\n And Darby went public confirming 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.<\/p>\n \u201cFollowing a further complaint late last year, Vaughan was removed from the workplace and we accepted his resignation,\u201d Darby said.<\/p>\n The restaurant\u2019s owner has gone on to say while he \u201csupported\u201d Mabee on the world stage, \u201cI misjudged his ability to lead our kitchen responsibly\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cNo amount of talent is an excuse for poor behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n The doors to Amisfield will be closed from May 16 until July 7 for planned maintenance.<\/p>\n It is also a period of time that chief executive Simon Toneycliffe said would be used to \u201creset, align and prepare for the next chapter of Amisfield\u201d<\/a>.<\/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 he said.<\/p>\n For a former staffer \u2013 who quit in disgust at how she and others were treated \u2013 it is a long-overdue reset.<\/p>\n The woman \u2013 talking on the condition of anonymity \u2013 said the culture of working under Mabee was \u201cgross\u201d.<\/p>\n While Amisfield was located in \u201cone of the most beautiful places in the world\u201d and created meals with \u201camazing ingredients\u201d, she said what was dished up to those who worked under the star chef would forever leave a sour taste in many mouths.<\/p>\nVaughan Mabee’s ute was found crashed near Lake Hayes – but the driver was nowhere to be found. Photo \/ Alex Robertson<\/p>\n
Dilworth School provided Vaughan Mabee withi his intermediate education. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
A younger Vaughan Mabee photographed in his early years at Amisfield.<\/p>\n
Mabee’s wrecked ute was found in a ditch by an off-duty police officer. Photo \/ File<\/p>\n
John Darby (pictured with Vaughan Mabee in Turin last year at The World’s 50 Best Awards ceremony) said the chef didn’t appear to be intoxicated when he left his house. Photo \/ Instagram<\/p>\n
The Court of Appeal dismissed Vaughan Mabee’s attempt to overturn his conviction.<\/p>\n
MasterChef NZ judge Vaughan Mabee and Julia Yamamoto-Evans on their wedding day in Central Otago.<\/p>\n
Vaughan Mabee [right] with fellow MasterChef New Zealand judges and wedding guests Michael Dearth and Nadia Lim.<\/p>\n
Vaughan Mabee’s creations were a big calling card for Amisfield Restaurant.<\/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. <\/p>\n
The Duchess of Cambridge visits Amisfield Winery in Queenstown during a royal tour of New Zealand in 2014. Picture \/ Fiona Goodall<\/p>\n
Alexandra koura brushed with koura garum at Amisfield.<\/p>\n
Vaughan Mabee was getting rave reviews right up to his shock resignation.<\/p>\n
Vaughan Mabee’s profile saw him become a judge on MasterChef New Zealand.<\/p>\n
A Taste of Art New Zealand \u2013 co-hosted by Vaughan Mabee and Melissa Leong \u2013 has been pulled by an Australian broadcaster.<\/p>\n
A former senior Amisfield staffer told the Herald while the food might have been stunning, the culture of working under Vaughan Mabee wasn’t.<\/p>\n