Kitchen Day — April 2026
Date: Tuesday, 7 April 2026, 10:45 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Loretta, 181 Cuba Street, Wellington
Hosted by: Helen Turnbull
Free to attend. Hospitality industry professionals only.
Helen Turnbull, the brilliant chef and owner of 50-50 in Kāpiti, joined us in April and brought her unique and contagious energy to the pass. Her session felt like a turning point, as she asked the room a simple question: do you actually know what you want from this industry? Do you know who you want to cook for, and how you want to show up? Hospitality can take a lot - your weekends, your energy, your time, your relationships. But it can give a lot back too, if you’ve got a clear sense of where you’re heading. That was Helen’s message, and she lives it daily with every decision she makes. Helen also spoke about her journey with social media strategy and how it's changed her business, and she was joined by former colleague and friend Darren Jarret of Ashby Pies in Auckland, who himself knows a thing or two about social media stardom. Helen's one of those rare chefs who brings genuine optimism to the kitchen, and you can feel it in everything she does. Her menu was a reflection of her place and her people. Wild venison leg courtesy of Scott and Maaike McNeil at Awatoru, alongside beautiful, fresh produce from the Horowhenua.