Ōamaru Opera House welcomes That Food Guy

Published on 09 August 2023

Ōamaru Opera House welcomes 'That Food Guy' as new leaseholder of its commercial kitchen this month.

Ōamaru Opera House Manager Frances McElhinney confirms “We’re happy to announce a significant development in our efforts to enhance our culinary offerings and provide exceptional catering services for customers.”

Owner operator, Mark Townsend, has been relocating his operations from his home commercial kitchen to the Opera House premises over the past few weeks.

”As a custodian of the culinary arts, my menus combine classic and contemporary. I’m delighted to be working in an iconic building like the Ōamaru Opera House with its similar focus on high quality heritage and modern art forms” says Mark.

He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this new collaboration. Fittingly his previous chef positions have included a role at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden. “It’s a coincidence, but the Ōamaru Opera House and the Royal Opera Houses are about the same age, so there’s a very familiar feel to working here” says Mark.

“With his strong background in providing memorable culinary experiences, Mark is the perfect fit for our iconic venue,” says Ms McElhinney.

Under this new partnership, 'That Food Guy' will cater to a wide range of events hosted at the Ōamaru Opera House. From corporate functions and large celebratory events to small meetings, Mark will be creating bespoke menus that complement the occasion with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Mark’s commitment to sustainable practices also extends to his own garden, where he grows a range of edibles for use in the kitchen.

Ms McElhinney says “We’re excited to embark on this new chapter with 'That Food Guy,' and believe this partnership will further enhance the overall experience for everyone who visits the Opera House. Our collaboration with a talented local caterer of Mark Townsend's calibre will contribute to the vibrancy and success of our venue.”

For more information or to book catering services for your event at the Ōamaru Opera House, please contact: Matthew Wicks, mwicks@waitaki.govt.nz

ENDS