The Wilderness Chef
ProHighlights
- Seasonal menus from executive chef Cooper Thomas, from roaming canapés to plated courses
- Mobile Wilderness Kitchen for marquees, homes and sites without a kitchen
- Waitstaff included in every quote, with bar service and tableware available
About The Wilderness Chef
The Wilderness Chef is a Newcastle catering business founded by executive chef Cooper Thomas, who previously ran the kitchens of local Newcastle restaurants. It started with Cooper cooking solo for elopements and has grown into a team of full-time chefs, floor staff and office support. Weddings make up most of the calendar, along with corporate events, celebrations, private dinners and retreats, at any size from a small table to several hundred guests. Around Newcastle the team has hosted its own events, including a Newcastle Food Month long lunch at Pier Ninety Seven overlooking the harbour. Couples can also come to a tasting evening to meet the chefs and try the food before booking. For sites with no kitchen there is the Wilderness Kitchen, a purpose-built mobile setup with ovens, fridges and prep benches, leaving the host to supply a catering tent. The chefs write menus around seasonal, locally grown produce. Guests can be served roaming canapés, a buffet, shared platters for the table, or plated courses including alternate drop, chosen from the seasonal sample menu or left to the chef. Around eight weeks before the event, dietary needs are collected and linked to the seating plan, and whole menus can be made vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free. Quotes include waitstaff, and the crew usually arrives an hour or so before food goes out. Extras include crockery and cutlery, linen napkins, cake cutting, meals for your other suppliers and a staffed bar with glassware.
Inclusions & amenities
Service
Cuisine type (caterers)
Catering style (caterers)
Dietary support (caterers)
Pricing
Service Details
Frequently asked questions
Does The Wilderness Chef cater events in Newcastle?
Yes. The business is based in Newcastle and caters weddings, corporate functions and private dinners across the city and nearby areas, including its own long lunch at Pier Ninety Seven.
Can they cook at a Lake Macquarie house or venue without a kitchen?
Yes. The mobile Wilderness Kitchen carries ovens, refrigeration and prep space, and the team can help you source the catering tent it needs.
Can we try the food before booking?
Yes. Tasting evenings are held so couples can sample dishes and meet the team before they book.
How do they manage guests with allergies or special diets?
Roughly eight weeks out, a questionnaire gathers final numbers and dietary needs, each guest is matched to the seating chart, and floor staff are briefed on every dish.
What does catering cost and are staff included?
Each event is quoted on its style, guest numbers, menu and extras, as per-head prices are not published. Waitstaff are included, with numbers set by the service style.
Areas we service
Suitable occasions
Tegan Eastley
4 months ago
I highly recommend The Wilderness Chef for any occasion. They first catered for my wedding in 2022 and, more recently, for an intimate dinner with 20 friends for my husband's 40th birthday. The food tastes magical, the p…
Miki Lewis
5 months ago
The food for our wedding at Leaves and Fishes just a few days ago was seriously amazing! We had so many compliments over the beef cheek and potato gratin + carrots. The way you guys went above and beyond for our vegetari…
Kayt Alexander
5 months ago
We truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience for our wedding. From the very first bite to the last, the food was absolutely exceptional. Every dish was thoughtfully curated, and full of incredible flavour. Our g…
Leah McMurray
6 months ago
The food was 1000/10! A truly exceptional meal. We booked The Wilderness Chef for our wedding and we couldn't have been happier with the incredible food, it was a meal to remember. We had a small wedding and all we hope…
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