Celebrity chef was treated like 'God' | Star News
A Queenstown chef who quit amid accusations of inappropriate behaviour was treated like ‘‘God’’ by management, an insider says.
www.odt.co.nzHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting:
-
Vaughan Mabee, formerly executive chef at Amisfield in Queenstown, has been at the center of misconduct allegations reported in 2025–2026. Cuisine Magazine dropped Amisfield from its 2025 Good Food Guide following these claims, and multiple outlets covered allegations of bullying, verbal abuse, and inappropriate behavior. This has led to ongoing media interest and updates as the situation developed. For context, Mabee publicly apologized for his behavior after these reports.[1][4][5]
-
Separate profiles and articles have described Mabee’s career highlights, including his role on MasterChef NZ and his involvement with Amisfield, though those pieces date earlier and focus on professional accomplishments rather than the misconduct coverage. There have also been retrospective pieces and discussions about leadership and workplace culture in NZ hospitality tied to this case.[3][4][1]
-
Ongoing coverage up to May 2026 indicates continued interest in Mabee’s conduct and its impact on Amisfield and associated parties, with Amisfield statements emphasizing privacy while acknowledging past complaints.[4][1]
If you’d like, I can pull in current updates from specific outlets or summarize developments by date. I can also provide a brief timeline of key events and notable claims if that would help.
Citations:
- Cuisine Magazine dropping Amisfield from 2025 Good Food Guide and related misconduct allegations.[1]
- Amisfield insider statements and company replies regarding Mabee’s resignation and past complaints.[4]
- Additional coverage of Mabee’s career and the broader media response.[5][3]