Organisers of one of the world’s most prestigious culinary awards are reviewing the status of the top gongs they awarded to disgraced New Zealand celebrity chef Vaughan Mabee. 

The Milan-based Best Chef Awards is considering what to do with the prestigious Three Knives Awards it bestowed on him in 2024 and 2025. 

Regarded as one of the best chefs in the world, Mabee resigned as executive chef at Queenstown fine dining restaurant Amisfield after numerous complaints of alleged workplace bullying and lewd behaviour towards female staff. 

The Herald revealed his departure in late April, with the chef claiming at the time that he had resigned to spend more time with his family and pursue “several overseas opportunities”. 

He objected to the Herald characterising his departure as “sudden”. 

In the days that followed, Amisfield management confirmed he had been the subject of workplace complaints for a decade, and had received two written warnings prior to his exit. 

Mabee has since apologised, saying he wants to “strive to become that better person I know I once was and can be again”. 

But the fallout has been swift; TVNZ and Australian broadcaster SBS have removed from their libraries Taste of Art New Zealand, the show he co-hosted with MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong, while Cuisine magazine has removed Amisfield from its prestigious food guide. 

Vaughan Mabee says he is committed to becoming a better person. 

Now, organisers of The Best Chef Awards have told the Herald they are considering what to do about the prestigious Three Knives Awards Mabee currently holds. 

When asked if they were looking at removing the prizes from him, global relationship manager Nadia Werner said: “We are closely monitoring the situation and reviewing all available information. 

“Accountability, respect, and professional integrity remain non-negotiable principles for The Best Chef Awards, and for the global culinary community we represent.” 

Neither Mabee did not respond to a request for comment, while Amisfield owner John Darby declined to comment. 

Vaughan Mabee (left) and John Darby together in Turin at The World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards ceremony last year. Photo / Instagram 

The Best Chef Awards have recognised brilliance in kitchens around the world since 2017. 

The judging panel - made up of chefs, hospitality industry experts and food critics - compiles an annual list of its top 100 chefs. 

Last year, the awards gave 126 chefs a Three Knives status, which it describes as a “global benchmark of mastery and creativity”. 

Mabee has twice been awarded Three Knives status: in 2024 and 2025. 

In response to written questions from the Herald, Dubai-based Werner said the organisation had zero tolerance when it came to abusive behaviour in the workplace. 

“Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention,” Werner said of Mabee’s alleged conduct. 

Awards bosses have since updated Mabee’s biography on their 

website to indicate he no longer works at Amisfield. 

The Best Chef awards bosses have since updated Vaughan Mabee’s biography on their website to indicate he no longer works at Amisfield. Photo / Supplied 

“Accuracy and transparency are non-negotiable standards for The Best Chef organisation, and we act swiftly whenever information requires updating,” Werner said. 

The Herald provided Werner with copies of its articles on the scandal that surrounded Mabee’s departure from Amisfield. 

That included the chef being at the centre of formal complaints of bullying and lewd comments and behaviour to female staffers – in and out of the workplace – for at least a decade. 

More complaints were lodged last year, including about Mabee’s alleged conduct at a private staff party celebrating Amisfield being named among the world’s top 100 restaurants. 

On the day after the party and subsequent drinking session at a Queenstown bar, one staff member was so upset she resigned immediately. 

Vaughan Mabee's culinary works of art made him a globally respected chef. 

In a strongly worded response, Werner said The Best Chef organisation “stands unequivocally against workplace bullying, harassment, and any form of unethical conduct. 

“This is not simply a policy — it is a core value that defines who we are and how we operate,” she said. 

“Let us be clear: no level of culinary achievement, industry profile, or professional reputation exempts anyone from this standard. 

“The well-being, dignity, and safety of individuals within the culinary community will always take precedence. We take all credible concerns seriously, and we expect the same commitment from every person and institution associated with our organisation." 

People travelled from around the world to taste Vaughan Mabee's creations at Queenstown's Amisfield Restaurant. 

Werner added the culinary world should be a place where “talent thrives free from intimidation or abuse”. 

“The Best Chef Organisation is committed to being part of that change — not a bystander.” 

Top chef’s downfall, regrets from former boss 

The Herald revealed on April 30 that Mabee had departed Amisfield. 

In his first statement to media, he said his exit was planned, saying: “I resigned my role as executive chef at Amisfield early this year in order to be able to spend more time with my young family while also pursuing several overseas opportunities.” 

Mabee said he had resigned in February. But right up until the day before news broke of his departure, his biography and status as head chef still featured on Amisfield’s website. 

Amisfield management initially wouldn’t comment. 

Vaughan Mabee was previously a judge on MasterChef New Zealand.

The announcement came as various media outlets – including the Herald – were speaking to ex-staff, and current unnamed staff, alleging unpleasant experiences working under Mabee. 

Some were also critical of how Mabee remained employed for so long, contributing to a “toxic” environment for others. 

One told the Herald they believed managers displayed “cowardice” by not taking earlier decisive action, enabling the behaviour to continue. 

Other ex-staff members have said they didn’t come forward with their own concerns because of the high regard Mabee was held in by Amisfield top brass. 

Three days later, after being approached for comment on allegations about his conduct in and away from the high-profile workplace, the celebrity chef offered an apology to staff he had offended. 

“I unreservedly apologise to my former staff and colleagues at work for my inappropriate behaviour to them or any inconsiderate comments made,” he said. 

Taste of Art New Zealand - co-hosted by Vaughan Mabee and Melissa Leong - has been removed by both TVNZ and Australian broadcaster SBS.

“I love and respect all my team at the restaurant and meant no malice or harm with my actions. 

“I badly let my team down last year by inappropriate drunken behaviour at a nightclub. That made me fully realise how unfair and unacceptable some of my behaviour had been and [I] now want to strive to become that better person I know I once was and can be again.” 

He said he had stepped down to “first focus on addressing my personal health issues, and being a present and loving father to my family”. 

Darby confirmed his former chef – with whom he travelled to Turin in 2025 for the World’s 50 Best Awards – had been the subject of workplace complaints in 2016 and 2022. 

He said Mabee received “formal written warnings”. 

It was “clearly outlined” to the star chef that any further breach would result in dismissal, Darby said. 

Further complaints were made last year after a party celebrating Amisfield’s selection in the world’s top 100 restaurants. 

Amisfield Restaurant owner John Darby has since spoken of his regrets related to the Vaughan Mabee era in his kitchen. Photo / James Allan

“Following a further complaint late last year, Vaughan was removed from the workplace and we accepted his resignation,” Darby said on May 7. 

Darby added “no amount of talent” could excuse the departed executive chef’s behaviour. 

“Vaughan Mabee was a long-time employee that I supported on to the world stage, but I misjudged his ability to lead our kitchen responsibly,” Darby said. 

“I do not condone Vaughan’s behaviour and the culture he created. I hear those who have come forward and regret that our support was not more responsive in the past.” 

Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news,features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 34 years of newsroom experience.