When is the restaurant open?
Our season begins on the 10th of September 2026 and runs through until the 30th of May 2027, before we close for our winter break. We are open Thursday to Sunday every weekend.
Please be advised we cannot operate for less than 6 guests each evening. If your reservation falls on an evening where we have not met the minimum required to open, we will contact you 2 weeks ahead of the date of reservation to reschedule. We thank you in advance for your understanding.
Where are you?
The Chef's Table is located on Blue Duck Station. Our address is: 4265 Oio Road, Whakahoro, RD 2, Owhango, 3990. If you have not previously been to Blue Duck Station, please note that the last 18km of your journey consists of gravel road. 4WD is not required however, the journey from SH4 to Blue Duck Station can take up to 1.15 hours conservatively.
What are the differences between the experiences I can book?
We have three types of experience which you can book online at The Chef’s Table.
Our ATV Bush Safari, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast includes overnight accommodation situated next to the restaurant, in one of our three cabins, which can be set as king or twin beds. You will also have breakfast up at the restaurant before your transfer back down to the Blue Duck café the following morning.
The Tongariro Suite, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast experience is for our newest and largest cabin which is also situated next to the restaurant.
For the ATV Bush Safari and Dinner, we return you back down to the Blue Duck café after your evening with us and there is no accommodation included with your booking. We have up to four seats reserved for this experience per evening.
If you would like to stay down in the valley after your evening, Blue Duck Station runs separate accommodation which you can book online or by emailing info@blueduckstation.co.nz. You are also more than welcome to book offsite accommodation if you would prefer.
There is also the option of the Whakahoro campsite, and we do have space for RV’s and camper vans down at Blue Duck café.
How many people can I book for?
We can host groups of up to 10 guests at The Chef’s Table. As our restaurant accommodation only sleeps eight guests in total, for large groups we would need to split two guests into Blue Duck accommodation at the end of the evening.
Can I book a multiple night stay?
For multiple night stays or any activity enquiries please email info@blueduckstation.co.nz.
What is your cancellation policy?
We will offer a full refund on any cancelled bookings, provided the cancellation is at least 30 days before your scheduled visit. Cancellations can only be accepted by emailing reservations@thechefstable.co.nz
Once we are within 30 days of the booking, it can be difficult for us to rebook tables at short notice due to our location and the nature of our experiences, so we can only offer a refund if the table is rebooked by another party.
Are children allowed in the restaurant?
Younger guests over 12 years old are welcome at The Chef's Table. We do not generally recommend our experiences for young children as we do not have a children’s menu available and they will be required to have the same menu as the adults at the restaurant.
Can I book a private event?
Please email us directly for any event enquiries at reservations@thechefstable.co.nz.
What is the ATV Bush Safari and can I skip it?
The first part of your experience is a guided two hour safari, learning a little about the history of the station and taking in the views up to the restaurant. Our guides will show you a few of our favourite spots and also the ongoing conservation efforts of the team and our volunteers.
Alongside the ATVs, we offer guided horse treks which you can book by contacting info@blueduckstation.co.nz. If you wish to bring your own mountain bike and cycle up, please feel free!
Apart from these options, our ATVs are the only vehicles that can drive to The Chef’s Table year round due to the changeable weather and narrow track up to the restaurant. As it is the only way to drive up, we do not offer it as a separable part of the experience.
If you have any concerns about the safari or are less mobile, please email us at reservations@thechefstable.co.nz and we can pass this on to our guides.
Can I fly in?
Yes, we have space to land helicopters next to the restaurant, and also down by the Blue Duck café. If flying in, you can choose to take part on the ATV Bush Safari or land directly at the restaurant. If this is an option that interests you, we have plenty of operators that we can connect you with. Please contact us at reservations@thechefstable.co.nz for more information.
What is on the menu?
At The Chef's Table we have chosen to offer just one distinct and considered set tasting menu to all guests for dinner. Our menu is constantly changing with the seasons and consists of around 10 courses.
What drinks are available?
A wine pairing option is available on the night for $190.00 per person consisting of carefully selected wines matched to the dishes. Alternatively, we have wines available by the glass and by the bottle as well as beer, cider, spirits and non-alcoholic options.
Can you accommodate allergies or other dietary restrictions?
We can cater for a range of allergies and offer a pescatarian and vegetarian version of our menu. We cannot accommodate a vegan, egg or dairy free menu. Allergy or dietary restrictions announced on the night without prior notice may result in a shortened menu. We kindly request that dislikes are not misrepresented as allergies when booking with us.
What should I wear on the ATV Bush Safari?
The ATV Bush Safari is an outdoor adventure. We don’t want to give too much away but please bring outdoor wear and/or gumboots depending on the forecast. You will have time to change into dinner attire between arriving at the restaurant and sitting down for dinner, and there are facilities to do so.
Do you have a dress code?
Whilst most of our guests choose to dress in a smart-casual style for the evening, we have no set dress code and prefer that you wear what you are most comfortable in.
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