OUR PEOPLE

The shareholders of Waitaki Braids include Stephen Cozens (also a shareholder of Otago Station Estates), Michelle Richardson (Champion Winemaker), Peter Gordon (Executive Chef & Co-owner of The Providores) and Michael McGrath (Co-owner of The Providores).

Stephen Cozens is a New Zealand based investment banker and investor with a passion for fine wine and foods.

Michelle Richardson has been named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year three times at the Royal Easter Show, twice by Australian publication Winestate, and champion winemaker for her Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc at the 2001 International Wine Challenge in the United Kingdom.

Internationally renowned chef and arguably New Zealand’s highest profile international culinary celebrity, Peter Gordon, often called the Father of Fusion Cuisine, originates from Wanganui but has lived in the United Kingdom since 1989. He is an award winning chef and cookery book author, consulting to restaurants all over the world including Auckland's 'Dine by Peter Gordon' but it is at the 'The Providores' restaurant in London where he bases himself. Voted New Zealander of the year in the United Kingdom in 1999, he continues to promote all that is good about New Zealand cuisine, food, wine and travel.

Michael McGrath’s involvement with restaurants began as a waiter in Sydney in 1978, and since then he has worked as a head waiter and manager, developing specific staff training programmes for several restaurants including The First Floor on Portobello Road and Green Street private members club in Mayfair. He continues to work in this capacity at The Providores in this role as well as co-managing and organising many outside functions and events for Providores Out. Michael also acts as consultant to Changa Restaurant in Istanbul and helped Peter set up Dine by Peter Gordon in New Zealand.