The Wilderness Chef

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Charlestown, NSW
The Wilderness Chef

'The Wilderness Chef' provides restaurant quality dining experiences in locations unimaginable!!!

Hey Guys... I'm Cooper Thomas aka 'The Wilderness Chef'...

As ‘The Wilderness Chef,’ I create unique and exclusive dining opportunities in locations unimaginable... I am also the Executive Chef of Newcastle cafe/restaurants 'Talulah Bar’ & ‘Equium Social’. I am passionate about creating incredible food, designed to be enjoyed umongst family & friends in any location imaginable!! I believe in livi

ng life in the most sustainable manner for not only the environment, but also ourselves and those around us. You will often find me camping in my rooftop tent, fishing or foraging for the freshest produce, going for hikes & sitting around the fire. I am part of the Anteloping team, a bunch of creative wedding vendors who create adventurous elopements...

I can cater for your wedding, workshop, feast or event for any number of guests. I believe everyone should be able to enjoy the food they love so all menu's are custom designed to your taste, event, dietary requirements & budget!

15/07/2025

We had the absolute pleasure of teaming up with some truly talented vendors to showcase what this dream team can bring to life for your wedding day.

This shoot was a perfect glimpse into how seamless and beautiful your day could be with the right team by your side. These stunning shots are just a sneak peek of what’s still to come, so stay tuned. And come on… what a vibe!

We plated up three of our individually plated entrées from our current seasonal menu, listed below in order:

Roasted Sweet Potato Stuffed Mushroom, romesco, green apple, charred corn, parmesan, basil & black olive

Roasted Duck Breast, creamed corn, grilled leek, pickled onions, dill & artichoke crisps

BBQ Chorizo, braised tomato lentil ragout, pesto, glazed zucchini & sumac seeds

If you’re interested in these all-inclusive packages, head over to Leaves & Fishes for all the details.

byrhi au

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08/07/2025

Setting the table isn’t just about making it look good, it’s about making it work too.

As a caterer, we’ve seen all kinds of tablescapes, the beautiful, the practical, and the ones that made service a bit of a puzzle. So we thought we’d jot down a few tips and ideas that are often overlooked but make a big difference on the day.

03/07/2025

What is an individually plated service?

Exploring individually plated and alternate drop dining, two elegant styles that share a refined feel but offer different experiences when it comes to variety and service.

Want to know what makes this service so special? From smooth coordination to picture-perfect plates, swipe through to discover why it might be the perfect fit for your event!

01/07/2025

After the weather we’ve today, we are reliving this incredible wedding to warm us up… 42 degree heat and all!

In the peaceful hills of Lake Macquarie, Dan and Mike shared vows in their backyard, surrounded by 100 of their nearest and dearest.

It was a blistering 42 degrees, but that didn’t stop anyone from soaking up the moment. Guests found some relief by hiding out inside the portable cool room, Dan and Mike embraced every second with warmth (literally) and joy.

Their wedding was full of personal touches and heartfelt moments, and centred around fun. We kicked things off with canapés and followed with a banquet-style feast, all prepared on-site with our Wilderness Kitchen setup.

As the sun went down, the party really came to life with a DJ set and an epic fire dancer performance. It was vibrant, full of love, and one of those days we’ll always remember!

Photography - .co
Bar -

27/06/2025

Canapés! Those perfect little bites that make every celebration feel a bit more special.

We’re excited to be launching our brand new canapé menu very soon, and yes, we’ve kept a few of the all-time favourites (because we’re pretty sure there would be a riot if we didn’t).

The Portobello Mushroom Arancini and Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Dumplings are staying put, along with our substantial canapes that are getting a slight shake up!

Our incredible chefs have been busy creating a fresh new line-up of canapés, the menu is below! Let us know in the comments which one you’re most excited to try.

Portobello Mushroom Arancini, leek, thyme, parmesan & truffle aioli

Smoked Salmon Rilette, tartare, pickled cucumber, puffed rice crisp & aleppo

Baked Four Cheese Tart, cheese custard. thyme & hot honey

Tandoori Chicken Tikka, roti bread, fennel, sweet chilli crunch & mint raita

Torched Scallop, cauliflower puree, dill & caper brown butter

Grilled Prawn, sambucca cream, sambal & curry leaf crisp

Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Dumpling, miso mayo, shallots, mint & soy seeds

Lamb Cracker, snake beans, shoots, xo black beans & fried noodles

Eye Fillet Tartare Crostini, salsa matcha, whipped feta & green peppers

BBQ Chorizo Roll, aged cheddar, bruschetta, dijon & crispy eshallot (substantial)

Grilled Haloumi Soft Taco, tomato chutney, shaved slaw & spiced almonds (substantial)

Braised Pork Soft Taco, coconut curry, shaved slaw & peanut crumb (substantial)

26/06/2025

Planning an event in a remote location? No kitchen? No problem.
 We specialise in creating restaurant quality food anywhere you need us with our Wilderness Kitchen Set-up! Our experienced team and complete setup, we make sure nothing is compromised, no matter where your event is held.

20/06/2025

A garden wedding with Aperol spritz in hand, sunshine through the trees and the kind of food that makes you want to stay at the table just a little longer.

Aleisha and John tied the knot on 14 December at Redleaf in Wollombi. With 133 guests, beautiful tables and the dreamiest light across the estate, the whole day had the best energy, with everything being relaxed, joyful and full of fun!

We kicked things off with a round of canapés during cocktail hour with truffled mushroom arancini, Moroccan lamb meatballs and chicken dumplings that disappeared in seconds. Then came the feast. Big, bold dishes laid out banquet style down the centre of the table, with everyone building their plates as they went.

Their menu featured charred peri peri chicken with salsa verde and puffed rice, moorish spiced lamb rump with zhoug and plenty of colourful sides to match. Dessert was simple and sweet, cannoli and a slice of cake to finish.

This one was such a joy to be part of. Beautiful setting, great people, incredible food. Wishing Aleisha and John all the best in married life, what a way to start!!!

The vendors that’s brought everything together!
Venue
Planner
Photographer
Cinematographer
Hair
Makeup
Florals + Candles
Bar
Celebrant
DJ@silentshoutent
Sax
Cake .au
Hire Items
Stationery
Wedding Dress@theivoryroombridal@corston_couture
Bridesmaid Dresses
Grooms Suit
Wedding Bands

17/06/2025

A Tale Of Local Produce

Introducing HARVEST, a one night only dining experience that reimagines what it means to eat locally. This exclusive evening will feature a four course menu with key ingredients sourced from within forty kilometres of our kitchen, each course will be thoughtfully paired with wine from Inner City Winemakers.

The result is a rare and refined expression of The Hunter Valley, on a plate, in a glass, and in the atmosphere we are creating just for you.

Includes:
Four course locally sourced menu
Four matched wines by Inner City Winemaker
Gallery access to view local artwork

It is a moment we will share once and once only.

For more information or book your table on our website!

10/06/2025

Come with us as we dive into why banquet-style dining has become the go-to for weddings and events!

From loaded platters to heartwarming moments shared across the table, banquet dining brings people together in the best way. It’s more than just a meal, it’s an experience.

Swipe through to see why this style of catering is stealing the spotlight! Then tap the link in our bio to explore the menus making it all happen!

Address

Charlestown, NSW

Website

http://www.thewildernesschef.com/

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