Guest chef series 2026

Kittawa Lodge is delighted to announce the return of its exclusive Guest Chef Series in June and October 2026, bringing two of Australia’s most celebrated culinary talents, Pipis Kiosk’s Executive Chef Jordan Clay and Australian Chef and The Great Australian Bake Off Judge Darren Purchese, to King Island for a series of intimate, chef-curated dining experiences.

Now in its fifth year, our unforgettable three-night culinary escapes each blend luxury, adventure, and world-class dining in the heart of Tasmania’s wild beauty.

Available for up to eight guests at a time, it is perfect for a group of friends or family across Kittawa Lodge’s two one-bedroom Lodges as well as our new two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat.

Guests will indulge in a menu curated by Clay or Purchese showcasing King Island’s premium local produce, with the experience including daily breakfasts, gourmet picnics and intimate dinners in guests’ private lodges, paired with premium Tasmanian wines.  Signature Kittawa Lodge snacks will be available, as well as a curated selection of local wines, cocktails, and spirits, and a 4WD or AWD vehicle for island exploration complete this exclusive experience.

This year, the Guest Chef Series goes wild, with an exclusive one-night experience featuring gourmet snacks and cocktails while spotting platypus, followed by canapés and a Southern Rock Lobster dinner while watching the return of the island’s little penguins.  Hosted by the Kittawa Lodge team and the guest chef, this unforgettable experience offers the rare chance to witness native wildlife in its natural habitat.

What are the dates for the Guest Chef Series 2026?

With Jordan Clay: 

  • Package One: Friday, 26 June to Monday, 29 June 2026
  • Package Two: Monday, 29 June to Thursday, 2 July 2026

With Darren Purchese:

  • Package One: Friday, 23 October to Monday, 26 October 2026
  • Package Two: Monday, 26 October to Thursday, 29 October 2026

What are the inclusions of this luxurious escape?

  • Three nights’ accommodation at Kittawa Lodge
  • Breakfast provisions daily, including specially-prepared items by each chef, which guests can finish-off leisurely in their fully-equipped kitchen
  • Lunches daily, by each chef, which can be packed as a picnic to be enjoyed out on an adventure or otherwise enjoyed in the comforts of each accommodation
  • Kittawa Lodge’s signature snacks throughout your stay
  • Nightly dinners, by each chef in your lodge, together with paired premium Tasmanian wines
  • Private guided tour experiencing the native platypus and penguins in their natural habitat, together with canapés and a lobster-themed dinner by each chef, one evening during your stay
  • Selection of premium Tasmanian wines, pre-mixed cocktails, spirits, beers and ciders
  • AWD or 4WD  car hire while you are on King Island

What is the pricing of this ultimate culinary getaway?

  • Two couples for $10,995 per couple (in the two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat)
  • Three couples for $10,595 per couple (two couples in the two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat and one couple in a one-bedroom Lodge)
  • Four couples for $10,295 per couple (two couples in the two-bedroom Kittawa Retreat and one couple in each of the one-bedroom Lodges)

The Kittawa Retreat can accommodate two couples, each with their own bedroom and ensuite, or one couple and one or two singles.

Dinners will be held in the Kittawa Retreat for all guests, amplifying the shared experience.

To book, please complete our online booking form in the link below and, in the comments section, confirm how many couples you would like to join you in this beautiful experience, and your preferred dates of stay from the above options.