With Munch Catering, Award-Winning chef Ben Batterbury is combining his culinary expertise, with fre
24/04/2025
On Anzac Day, we pause to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served. Whether you’re hosting a community gathering, a dawn service breakfast, or a remembrance event, Munch Catering is here to provide thoughtful, high-quality catering for the occasion. Get in touch to discuss our Anzac Day catering options. Lest we forget. 🌿
22/04/2025
A beautiful review of our food from Jamila.
"All email correspondence was done with Paivi from Munch Catering. He made it really easy! He explained everything thoroughly & was always quick to respond to my emails.
Great customer service!
Then, the day we had been waiting for.. our wedding day! After a big day in the mountains & returning to the house, the first thing we both remember was the incredible smell of the food Ben was cooking up!
Everything was incredibly fresh & all flavours complimented each other perfectly! Couldn't fault any of our meals & Ben was lovely to have a chat with throughout the night.
I highly recommend this experience as it was so easy to come back home after a big day & be able to relax. If you're thinking about hiring a private chef, make Ben your guy & you won't regret it. 😊
Would love to have Ben cook for us again in the future. 🙏"
14/04/2025
We believe the best food starts with the best ingredients. Meet Ben, our passionate chef who carefully selects fresh, local produce to craft our seasonal menus. From farm to plate, every dish is made with quality, flavour, and love. 🌿👨🍳 Want to experience the difference fresh makes?
Get in touch for your next catered event!
11/04/2025
What's on the menu tonight? Munch Catering brings passion, flavour, and quality to every event. From weddings to business functions, and special private dinners, we create bespoke menus that celebrate the best of the season. Let’s make your next event unforgettable! 🍽️✨
08/04/2025
Fresh, Light & Full of Summer Flavour ☀️🌿
Our Asparagus Caprese Salad is the perfect way to start your summer dining experience. Crisp, tender asparagus spears meet juicy roasted tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and a drizzle of vibrant basil gremolata. Finished with toasted pine nuts for crunch and a touch of peppery rocket, this dish is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients that shine on the plate.
Simple, elegant, and bursting with flavour—this is summer on a plate.
Now taking bookings for events and private dining, get in touch to plan your perfect menu!
03/04/2025
Planning a special event for May or June? Now’s the perfect time to secure your catering with Munch Catering. Whether it's a corporate function, private party, or a relaxed gathering, we’ll take care of the food so you can enjoy the moment. Get in touch today to discuss your menu options and secure your date!
01/04/2025
Crisp autumn evenings and the smoky aroma of a sizzling BBQ, there’s no better way to enjoy the season. Whether you're hosting a relaxed get-together with friends or planning a corporate outdoor feast, Munch Catering has you covered with mouth-watering BBQ catering options. From succulent meats to fresh, seasonal sides, we bring the best flavours of autumn straight to your event. Enquire today and make the most of the season while it lasts! 🍂🔥
23/03/2025
A Kiwi BBQ isn’t just a meal—it’s a way of life. Picture premium meats sizzling over the flames, fresh seafood kissed by smoke, and vibrant sides packed with bold flavours. Whether it’s a laid-back gathering or a special celebration, our BBQ menu is all about bringing people together over incredible food.
Choose from succulent Wakanui beef, tender Merino lamb, or fresh-off-the-boat market fish, all cooked to perfection on the grill. Pair it with vibrant seasonal sides and decadent desserts because no great BBQ ends without something sweet.
Expect bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and an unforgettable feast – crafted by award-winning chef Ben Batterbury, using the best of Central Otago’s produce.
🍽️ Fresh. Seasonal. Unforgettable.
Our canapés are bite-sized morsels of Central Otago’s finest, infused with flavours from around the world. Perfect for cocktail parties, pre-dinner nibbles, or any event that calls for something special.
Great food is more than just ingredients—it’s about passion, technique, and bringing people together over unforgettable flavours. Award-winning chef Ben Batterbury brings his expertise and love for fresh, seasonal produce to every dish, curating menus that showcase the best of Central Otago.
Have you experienced his take on these standout dishes? 👇
🔥 Pan-fried scallops – chilli salt, chorizo & potato salad
🍊 Slow-cooked lamb shoulder – tamarind & orange glaze
🍆 Stuffed aubergine – ricotta, mushroom & spinach
🥩 Open Reuben steak sandwich – sauerkraut, mustard, pickles, Swiss cheese, rye bread
🍫 Dark chocolate pot – chocolate crumb & raspberries
From intimate private dining to immersive cooking lessons and bespoke event catering, Ben’s food is always fresh, flavourful, and expertly crafted.
If you're hosting a strategy day or corporate event offsite, make the most of it with a feast that keeps the conversation flowing. Book Ben to create a dining experience that brings people together—whether it's a relaxed, easy-to-eat menu featuring spanner crab and Wakanui beef tartare or a quintessential Kiwi BBQ to reward your team.
Fresh, seasonal, and delicious, our menus are designed to fuel productivity while delivering a memorable culinary experience. Let us handle the food so you can focus on business!
At Munch Catering, we celebrate the incredible flavours of New Zealand. From premium meats to fresh seafood, our menus are inspired by the best our country has to offer.
🌟 Some of our favourite locally sourced ingredients include: 🌊 NZ beef filet– buttery, tender, and packed with flavour, Stewart Island salmon and Whitestone Cheese to name a few.
We believe that using the best ingredients is the key to creating unforgettable meals. Whether you're hosting a corporate event or an intimate gathering, we bring the finest local flavours to your plate.
Ben’s approachable and friendly nature, paired with his award-winning credentials, makes him the perfect chef to bring your catering visions to life. After ten successful years as Executive Chef at the Rees Hotel in Queenstown, Ben hung up his apron there to create Munch Catering, where his love for fresh, seasonal, and delicious food truly shines.
Awarded Hotel Chef of the Year in 2017, Ben’s talent has been recognised with numerous accolades throughout his career, and he’s proudly served as a New Zealand Beef and Lamb Ambassador. His refined recipes draw from British and French influences, with a strong passion for Mediterranean-style eating—all crafted with the finest local ingredients from trusted suppliers in Central Otago.
From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, Ben’s culinary creations bring people together around a table filled with exceptional, handpicked flavours. 🍽️
18/02/2025
🍳 Host the Ultimate Summer Brunch! 🥂
Elevate your weekend with a bespoke breakfast from Munch Catering! From freshly baked pastries to hearty breakfasts, we have something for every taste. Choose from a variety of options like fluffy pancakes, free-range eggs, or gourmet charcuterie, all served with artisan sourdough and preserves, fresh orange juice, and more.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a sunny weekend, our vibrant, seasonal dishes will make your brunch unforgettable. 🌸
At Munch Catering, we believe food should do more than just satisfy – it should create an experience. That's why we offer a variety of bespoke menus designed to delight your guests and set the perfect tone for any event.
✨ Finger & Fork Menu
Want to keep the vibe relaxed and the conversation flowing? Our Finger & Fork menu is the answer. Think of delicious canapé-style bites like creamy Whitestone feta cheese and tender merino lamb koftas. These aren’t your typical finger foods – they’re a true taste of the South Island, featuring the best local ingredients from our trusted suppliers. Perfect for mingling and grazing without interrupting the fun!
✨ Build Your Own Menu
Looking for something special and unique? Let Ben design a custom menu just for you. Whether it's a sophisticated twist on a Kiwi BBQ or a full-course culinary journey, Ben can create the perfect feast to reflect the vibe of your event. We can also accommodate dietary requirements, ensuring that everyone enjoys the celebration.
At Munch Catering, we’re here to take the stress out of event planning and help you wow your guests with mouth-watering food.
Kia Ora! Today, we commemorate Waitangi Day, a pivotal moment in Aotearoa’s history, marking the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Māori and Europeans. 🇳🇿
New Zealand’s culinary heritage is a reflection of its rich cultural tapestry. From the traditional hāngī to the influences of European cuisine, our food tells a story of connection and identity.
At Munch Catering, Ben draws inspiration from New Zealand’s natural bounty, celebrating local ingredients to create menus that honour our history while embracing modern flavours. Two standout ingredients on our sharing menu are Stewart Island salmon and blue cod – both crowd favourites that showcase the best of Kiwi seafood.
Our current sharing menu, the most popular dining style, features:
🌟 Stewart Island salmon – curried beetroot glaze, mango chutney, poppadum crumb, mint yoghurt
🌟 Stewart Island blue cod – broccoli puree, pickled daikon, miso ginger reduction, sesame
Make your next event a celebration of Aotearoa’s flavours and traditions. Let us craft a bespoke menu inspired by our unique heritage and seasonal produce!
💘 Love is in the air – and on the plate! 💘
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic, bespoke dining experience from Munch Catering. Whether it’s a cozy dinner for two or a Galentine’s gathering with friends, let Ben craft a menu that speaks the language of love. 🥂💕
Book now and make Valentine’s unforgettable!
💻 https://www.munchcatering.co.nz/
📧 [email protected]
📞 021 247 7110
29/01/2025
"Behind-the-Scenes: Meet Ben - At the heart of Munch Catering is Ben, a passionate chef dedicated to creating unforgettable dining experiences.
With years of experience and an eye for detail, Ben ensures that every dish is a perfect blend of flavours, textures, and creativity.
Get to know the man behind the magic – and find out what inspires him to bring extraordinary food to your events.
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Munch Catering by Ben Batterbury
About Munch Catering
With Munch Catering, Award-Winning chef Ben Batterbury is combining his culinary expertise, with fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced produce to bring delicious food to your table. Whether it’s a private chef-cooked dinner, an immersive hands on cooking lesson or casual catering for a bespoke event, Ben will bring you the best of what Central Otago has to offer in mouth-watering form.
Fresh, Seasonal, Delicious
His refined recipes and meticulously crafted menus include both British and French influences as well a clear passion for the Mediterranean style of eating – all crafted using the South Islands top ingredients, personally sourced through his network of brilliant Central Otago suppliers who share Ben’s love of quality.
Munch Catering’s Menus
Ben’s passion and knowledge when it comes to sourcing the best seasonal ingredients contributes to his mouth-watering menus that range from the quintessential Kiwi BBQ to three-course plated dinners with unbridled finesse. Ben’s signature style is fresh, simple food, always creatively and innovatively delivered, to ensure an aesthetic wow factor is followed by delectable flavour.
Local, Trusted, Acclaimed
Ben’s approachable and friendly manner is combined with award-winning credentials. Munch Catering began with Ben happily unleashing the apron strings after ten successful years as the Executive Chef at the Rees Hotel in Queenstown. As well as being awarded Hotel Chef of the Year in 2017 Ben has picked up numerous accolades over the years, as well as being a New Zealand Beef and Lamb Ambassador.
To find out more, visit our website that is coming soon!