Chef Mark Gregory, honoured as Master of Culinary Arts by The Royal Academy, is known for his appearances on TV shows such as ‘Ready Steady Cook’ and the BBC ‘Good Food Show’. He has cooked for a wide range of distinguished individuals, including royalty, presidents, prime ministers, movie stars, pop legends, and sporting greats. Mark’s achievements are impressive, including being named New Zealand Chef of the Year in the late 1980s. He then went to London and won the British Chef of the Year award. In 1996, he was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier for cooking, a master craftsman status in France, becoming the first New Zealander to do so.
One of his most significant achievements is founding the DINEAID charity, which helps the New Zealand hospitality community raise funds for City Mission food banks during the Christmas season each year. Despite his extensive culinary experience, what truly brings the Gregory family together is Christmas. Mark enjoys cooking and taking care of people, especially during the festive season. In this book he shares a collection of traditional and new Christmas recipes, artisan gifts and fun family games, emphasising the importance of creating cherished memories through food and togetherness.