Intrepid Food & Wine Journeys

Travel feeds the soul. Chef’s feed the heart.

Imagine travelling free of worry and burdensome decisions? An experienced guide, a passionate chef, a multilingual host. Welcome to Intrepid Food & Wine Journeys and your savvy leader Chef Alain Hauswirth.

Alain’s love of food began at a young age, in the kitchen of his grandmother Meme. 45 plus years of cooking later, the passion and fire is still there but now it’s to the benefit of Food and Wine Journeys’ private guests.

A seasoned traveler and Swiss native, Alain loves to explore off the beaten track; discovering local hot spots, quiet sanctuaries and unforgettable moments.

Following 30 years as a New Zealand based restauranteur, Alain is excited about putting the knives down and returning to what sparked his love affair with food and wine. Culture. Diversity. People. Place. Connection.

Intrepid Food and Wine Journeys is an exclusive travel experience, designed for small groups of food lovers eager to explore beneath the surface of their destination. Alain’s tours will travel to favourite places, restaurants he worked at as a young man, businesses of colleagues, vineyards he’s forged relationships with, breathtaking vistas, hidden gems, bustling markets and more. Every tour will celebrate locals and the culture… and will incorporate the cooking of found ingredients along the way!

Authentic, honest, delicious and intrepid - with the comforting knowledge of an experienced host at the helm.

Chef Alain is Intrepid Food and Wine Journeys.  

Close-up of a white speckled plate with roasted vegetables and pieces of cooked meat topped with cafe de Paris butter, with parts of similar plates visible in the background.
Close-up of a hand holding crinkled paper with a yellow and white striped fruit or cheese on top, on a gray surface with partial view of a patterned plate in the background.
Chef Alain Hauswirth preparing food in a professional kitchen, with various bottles and kitchen utensils on the counter.

Chef Alain Hauswirth

Alain Hauswirth was born in Bern, Switzerland but has called New Zealand home for the past 30 years. Classically trained, Alain is renowned for his affinity for seasonal, local produce, respecting it from paddock to plate.

Just prior to establishing Intrepid Food & Wine Journeys, Alain knowingly relished one final restaurant project. Located in the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough wine country. The WineKitchen was nestled within a family-owned vineyard and surrounded by established gardens. It was an idyllic backdrop to Alain's vibrant cuisine.

Before The WineKitchen, Alain founded several iconic Marlborough hospitality spots. In parallel, he worked as a caterer and chef for private individuals and leading New Zealand wineries. He also spent several years as a faculty member at the Ara Institute of Technology, training the ‘Food, Hospitality and Tourism’ industry’s next generation.

Alain has travelled extensively for both work and pleasure, which has contributed to his in-depth understanding and appreciation of international flavours.

When not slicing and dicing, Alain relishes time with his family; wife Wendy and their two grown children Jean-Luc and Carla.

  • "If you ever want to go travelling a little off the beaten track, I'd choose Alain as my guide. Even if things require the occasional 'course correction’, Alain will take it in stride and deliver a memorable outcome - be it finding a way across closed borders, returning unscathed from the deck of an expedition vessel, or just making sure your glass is always 'half full'."

    -Doug Hill

  • "Alain is the consummate host.  A talented chef who cares passionately about sourcing seasonal fresh food, often local and ethically grown.  His love and knowledge of wine complements well with his passion for good food, something we truly appreciate. The occasional shared tales of his travels and experiences are always a welcome bonus at the end of any visit  just feels like having dinner with a good friend.  Great chef, great host." 

    -Adele and Daniel Le Brun

  • "The only chef I trust with visiting VIPS. Alain has a delicate touch when it comes to seasonal and premium produce. An obvious respect for grower and locale."

    -Stephanie McIntyre

  • "Chef Alain brings passion, craftsmanship, authenticity, and quiet dedication to every dining experience — a true celebration of food as the hero, shaped by years of travel and hospitality. I feel privileged to have enjoyed many of his meals, each one a reflection of a life devoted to the art of food. "

    -Leigh Efferion

  • "Alain's enthusiasm for exploring the side-streets of villages and cities is contagious. And there we found so much more to our destination!"

    -Wendy King

  • Alain does not do short cuts. Working with him has shown me a higher level of hospitality and food. He provides luxury without being pretentious. But most of all he is a great character to be around!

    -Lara Boers

Get In Touch

Interested in travelling together? Please share your details so we can begin the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you!

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