Robin Lilley has been appointed head chef at Crowne Plaza Queenstown. The Canadian-born chef is looking forward to showcasing his knowledge of international cuisine as he takes up the position at threesixty restaurant, renowned as one of Queenstown’s best restaurants and bars.
Lilley, 34, most recently worked for eco-tourism company Heritage Expeditions, where he spent a year as the head chef aboard the 50-passenger Spirit of Enderby as it visited Antarctica and the east coast of Russia.
“There were some very interesting moments, one day we delayed serving breakfast so everyone on board could watch four polar bears breakfasting on a walrus,” said Lilley.
After his stint on the Enderby, he went on a self-styled ‘culinary adventure’ through Europe, visiting Austria, Russia and Germany before returning to Queenstown where he had worked in a variety of chef roles at hotels and restaurants over a six-year period. At threesixty, Lilley is overseeing delivery of the restaurant’s existing autumn menu while planning a range of hearty winter dishes for hungry skiers and snowboarders, a fantastic European-feel aprés ski offering.
